1 Timothy 3 - J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

The sort of men to bear office: bishops

3 1-7 It is quite true to say that a man who sets his heart on holding office has laudable ambition. Well, for the office of a bishop a man must be of blameless reputation, he must be married to one wife only, and be a man of self-control and discretion. He must be a man of disciplined life; he must be hospitable and have the gift of teaching. He must be neither intemperate nor violent, but gentle. He must not be a controversialist nor must he be fond of money-grabbing. He must have proper authority in his own household, and be able to control and command the respect of his children. (For if a man cannot rule in his own house how can he look after the Church of God?). He must not be a beginner in the faith, for fear of his becoming conceited and sharing Satan’s downfall. He should, in addition to the above qualifications, have a good reputation with the outside world, in case his good name is attacked and he is caught by the devil that way.

Deacons

8-13 Deacons, similarly, should be men of serious outlook and sincere conviction. They too should be temperate and not greedy for money. They should hold the faith as a sacred trust, with complete sincerity. Let them serve a period of probation first, and only serve as deacons if they prove satisfactory. Their wives should share their serious outlook, and must be women of discretion and self-control—women who can be trusted. Deacons should be men with only one wife, able to control their children and manage their own households properly. Those who do well as deacons earn for themselves a certain legitimate standing, as well as gaining confidence and freedom in the Christian faith.

The tremendous responsibility of being God’s minister

14-15a At the moment of writing I hope to be with you soon, but if there should be any considerable delay then what I have written will show you the sort of character men of God’s household ought to have.

15b-16 It is, remember, the Church of the living God, the pillar and the foundation of the truth. No one can deny that this religion of ours is a tremendous mystery, resting as it does on the one who showed himself as a human being, and met, as such, every demand of the Spirit in the sight of angels as well as of men. Then, after his restoration to the Heaven from whence he came, he has been proclaimed among men of different nationalities and believed in all parts of the world.

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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 ...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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,...
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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...
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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 ...
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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....
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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