1 Timothy 3 - Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

Leaders in the Church

3 It is a true statement that anyone whose goal is to serve as an elder[a] has his heart set on a good work. 2 An elder[b] must be such a good man that no one can rightly criticize him. He must be faithful to his wife.[c] He must have self-control and be wise. He must be respected by others. He must be ready to help people by welcoming them into his home. He must be a good teacher. 3 He must not drink too much, and he must not be someone who likes to fight. He must be gentle and peaceful. He must not be someone who loves money. 4 He must be a good leader of his own family. This means that his children obey him with full respect. 5 If a man does not know how to lead his own family, he will not be able to take care of God’s church.

6 An elder must not be a new believer. It might make him too proud of himself. Then he would be condemned for his pride the same as the devil was. 7 An elder must also have the respect of people who are not part of the church. Then he will not be criticized by others and be caught in the devil’s trap.

Special Servants

8 In the same way, the men who are chosen to be special servants must have the respect of others. They must not be men who say things they don’t mean or who spend their time drinking too much. They must not be men who will do almost anything for money. 9 They must follow the true faith that God has now made known to us and always do what they know is right. 10 You should test them first. Then, if you find that they have done nothing wrong, they can be special servants.

11 In the same way, the women[d] must have the respect of others. They must not be women who speak evil about other people. They must have self-control and be women who can be trusted in everything.

12 The men who are special servants must be faithful in marriage.[e] They must be good leaders of children and their own families. 13 Those who do well as special servants are making an honorable place for themselves. And they will feel very sure of their faith in Christ Jesus.

The Secret of Our Life

14 I hope I can come to you soon. But I am writing this to you now, 15 so that, even if I cannot come soon, you will know how people should live in the family[f] of God. That family is the church of the living God. And God’s church is the support and foundation of the truth. 16 Without a doubt, the secret of our life of worship is great:

Christ[g] was shown to us in human form;
the Spirit proved that he was right;
he was seen by angels.
The message about him was told to the nations;
people in the world believed in him;
he was taken up to heaven in glory.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:1 whose … elder Literally, “who aspires to supervision.”
  2. 1 Timothy 3:2 elder Here, literally, “overseer.” See “elders (New Testament)” in the Word List.
  3. 1 Timothy 3:2 faithful to his wife Literally, “a man of one woman.”
  4. 1 Timothy 3:11 women Probably the women who serve as special servants (see Rom. 16:1). It could be translated, “their wives,” meaning the wives of the special servants, although there is no word for “their” in the Greek text.
  5. 1 Timothy 3:12 faithful in marriage Literally, “a man of one woman.”
  6. 1 Timothy 3:15 family Literally, “house.” This could mean that God’s people are like God’s temple.
  7. 1 Timothy 3:16 Christ Literally, “who.” Some Greek copies have “God.”

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