1 Timothy 3 - Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

3 This saying is trustworthy:(A) “If anyone aspires to be an overseer,[a](B) he desires a noble work.” 2 An overseer,(C) therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible,(D) respectable, hospitable,(E) able to teach, 3 not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy.(F) 4 He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil.(G) 7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s(H) trap.

8 Deacons,(I) likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith(J) with a clear conscience.(K) 10 They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. 11 Wives,[b](L) likewise, should be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled,(M) faithful in everything. 12 Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. 13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

The Mystery of Godliness

14 I write these things to you, hoping to come(N) to you soon. 15 But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household,(O) which is the church of the living God,(P) the pillar and foundation of the truth.(Q) 16 And most certainly, the mystery of godliness(R) is great:

He[c] was manifested in the flesh,(S)
vindicated in the Spirit,(T)
seen by angels,
preached among the nations,
believed(U) on in the world,
taken up in glory.(V)

Footnotes

  1. 3:1 Or bishop, or pastor
  2. 3:11 Or Women
  3. 3:16 Other mss read God

Cross references

  1. 3:1 : 1Tm 1:15; 4:9
  2. 3:1 : Ac 20:28; Php 1:1; Ti 1:7
  3. 3:2–4 : Ti 1:6–8
  4. 3:2 : Ti 2:2,5
  5. 3:2 : Lv 19:34; 1Pt 4:9; 2Jn 10
  6. 3:3 : 1Tm 6:10
  7. 3:6 : 1Tm 5:12; 2Pt 2:3; Rv 20:1–15
  8. 3:7 : Ac 13:10
  9. 3:8 : Php 1:1
  10. 3:9 : Php 1:27; 1Tm 1:2,19; Jd 3
  11. 3:9 : Heb 13:18
  12. 3:11 : 1Pt 3:1–6
  13. 3:11 : Ti 2:2
  14. 3:14 : 1Tm 4:13
  15. 3:15 : 1Co 3:16; 2Co 6:16; Eph 2:21–22; 1Pt 2:5; 4:17
  16. 3:15 : Mt 16:16; 1Tm 4:10
  17. 3:15 : Ps 119:142; 2Co 11:10; 2Th 2:10
  18. 3:16 : 2Pt 1:3
  19. 3:16 : Jn 1:14; Php 2:7; 1Jn 4:2; 5:20
  20. 3:16 : Rm 1:3–4; 2:28–29; 7:5–6; 8:4; 1Co 5:5; 6:16–17; Gl 3:3; 4:29; 5:16–24; 6:8; Php 3:3; Col 2:5; Rv 1:10
  21. 3:16 : Mt 11:24; Jn 3:16; Ac 10:43; Rm 10:9; 1Pt 1:8–10
  22. 3:16 : Mk 16:19; Jn 20:17; 1Pt 3:22

You Might Also Like:

1 Timothy 3 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

3 Stedfast [is] the word: If any one the oversight doth long for, a right work he desireth; 2 it behoveth, therefore, the overseer to be blameless, of one wife a husband, vigilant, sober, decent, a friend of strangers, apt to teach, 3 not given to wine, not a striker, not given to filthy lucre, but ...
Read More

1 Timothy 3 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

3 A faithful word [I shall say]. If any man desireth a bishopric [If any man desire a bishopric], he desireth a good work. 2 Therefore it behooveth a bishop to be without reproof [Therefore it behooveth a bishop to be irreprehensible, or without reproof], the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, ch...
Read More

1 Timothy 3 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

3 These are true words. If a man wants to be a leader of the church people, he seeks a good thing. 2 For a man to be a church leader, people must speak well of him. He must have only one wife. He must be able to control himself. He must use good sense. He must behave himself well. He must be kind to...
Read More

1 Timothy 3 - World English Bible (WEB)

3 This is a faithful saying: someone who seeks to be an overseer[a] desires a good work. 2 The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; 3 not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarre...
Read More

1 Timothy 3 - The Voice (VOICE)

People are more concerned about their outward appearance than their inner beauty. Paul wants women to pursue the right kind of beauty, the beauty of an inner life fashioned after godliness. That includes proper respect for their husbands, a willingness to learn the truth, and—unlike Eve—avoiding ent...
Read More

1 Timothy 3 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Qualifications for Oversight and Service3 Trustworthy is the saying: “If any man aspires to the office of overseer,[a] he desires a good work.” 2 An overseer, then, must be beyond criticism—the husband of one wife, clear-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addict...
Read More

1 Timothy 3 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Qualifications of Bishops3 The saying is sure: If any one aspires to the office of bishop,[a] he desires a noble task. 2 Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher, 3 no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,...
Read More

1 Timothy 3 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Qualifications of Bishops3 The saying is sure: If any one aspires to the office of bishop, he desires a noble task. 2 Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher, 3 no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, an...
Read More

1 Timothy 3 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

3 This is a true saying: If anyone desires the office of an overseer, he desires a worthy work. 2 Therefore, an overseer must be blameless - the husband of one wife, sober, temperate, modest, hospitable, able to teach - 3 neither a drunkard nor a brawler nor given to greed, but gentle, peace-loving ...
Read More

1 Timothy 3 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

The Character of a Bishop3 Here is a trustworthy saying: if someone is eager for the work of overseeing God’s people, the task they seek is a fine one. 2 The bishop must be beyond reproach. He must not have more than one wife. He must be temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, a good teacher....
Read More

1 Timothy 3 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Qualifications of Bishops3 The saying is sure:[a] whoever aspires to the office of bishop[b] desires a noble task. 2 Now a bishop[c] must be above reproach, married only once,[d] temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome...
Read More

1 Timothy 3 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Qualifications of Bishops3 The saying is sure:[a] whoever aspires to the office of bishop[b] desires a noble task.(A)2 Now a bishop[c] must be above reproach, married only once,[d] temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher,(B)3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not qu...
Read More

1 Timothy 3 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

What manner of man a bishop or priest ought to be, and how his wife and children should be. The qualities also required in a deacon or minister and in his wife. 3 This is a true saying: if a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 Yea and a bishop must be faultless, the husban...
Read More

1 Timothy 3 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Leaders in the Church3 This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader,[a] he desires an honorable position.” 2 So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.[b] He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reput...
Read More

1 Timothy 3 - New Life Version (NLV)

What a Church Leader Must Be Like3 It is true that if a man wants to be a church leader, he wants to do a good work. 2 A church leader must be a good man. His life must be so no one can say anything against him. He must have only one wife and must be respected for his good living. He must be willin...
Read More

1 Timothy 3 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Qualifications of Overseers3 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a [a]bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not [b]given to wine, not violent, [c]no...
Read More