1 Timothy 3 - New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995)

Overseers and Deacons

3 (A)It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the (B)office of [a]overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 [b](C)An overseer, then, must be above reproach, (D)the husband of one wife, (E)temperate, prudent, respectable, (F)hospitable, (G)able to teach, 3 (H)not addicted to wine [c]or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, (I)free from the love of money. 4 He must be one who (J)manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of (K)the church of God?), 6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become (L)conceited and fall into the (M)condemnation [d]incurred by the devil. 7 And he must (N)have a good reputation with (O)those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and (P)the snare of the devil.

8 (Q)Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not [e]double-tongued, [f](R)or addicted to much wine [g](S)or fond of sordid gain, 9 (T)but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 (U)These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 11 [h]Women must likewise be dignified, (V)not malicious gossips, but (W)temperate, faithful in all things. 12 (X)Deacons must be (Y)husbands of only one wife, and [i](Z)good managers of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well as deacons (AA)obtain for themselves a [j]high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15 but [k]in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how [l]one ought to conduct himself in (AB)the household of God, which is the (AC)church of (AD)the living God, the (AE)pillar and support of the truth. 16 By common confession, great is (AF)the mystery of godliness:

He who was (AG)revealed in the flesh,
Was [m](AH)vindicated [n]in the Spirit,
(AI)Seen by angels,
(AJ)Proclaimed among the nations,
(AK)Believed on in the world,
(AL)Taken up in glory.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:1 Or bishop
  2. 1 Timothy 3:2 Lit The
  3. 1 Timothy 3:3 Lit not
  4. 1 Timothy 3:6 Lit of the devil
  5. 1 Timothy 3:8 Or given to double-talk
  6. 1 Timothy 3:8 Lit not
  7. 1 Timothy 3:8 Lit not
  8. 1 Timothy 3:11 I.e. either deacons’ wives or deaconesses
  9. 1 Timothy 3:12 Lit managing well
  10. 1 Timothy 3:13 Lit good
  11. 1 Timothy 3:15 Lit if I delay
  12. 1 Timothy 3:15 Or you ought to conduct yourself
  13. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or justified
  14. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or by

Cross references

  1. 1 Timothy 3:1 : 1 Tim 1:15
  2. 1 Timothy 3:1 : Acts 20:28; Phil 1:1
  3. 1 Timothy 3:2 : 1 Tim 3:2-4; Titus 1:6-8
  4. 1 Timothy 3:2 : Luke 2:36f; 1 Tim 5:9; Titus 1:6
  5. 1 Timothy 3:2 : 1 Tim 3:8, 11; Titus 2:2
  6. 1 Timothy 3:2 : Rom 12:13; Titus 1:8; Heb 13:2; 1 Pet 4:9
  7. 1 Timothy 3:2 : 2 Tim 2:24
  8. 1 Timothy 3:3 : Titus 1:7
  9. 1 Timothy 3:3 : 1 Tim 3:8; 6:10; Titus 1:7; Heb 13:5
  10. 1 Timothy 3:4 : 1 Tim 3:12
  11. 1 Timothy 3:5 : 1 Cor 10:32; 1 Tim 3:15
  12. 1 Timothy 3:6 : 1 Tim 6:4; 2 Tim 3:4
  13. 1 Timothy 3:6 : 1 Tim 3:7
  14. 1 Timothy 3:7 : 2 Cor 8:21
  15. 1 Timothy 3:7 : Mark 4:11
  16. 1 Timothy 3:7 : 1 Tim 6:9; 2 Tim 2:26
  17. 1 Timothy 3:8 : Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:12
  18. 1 Timothy 3:8 : 1 Tim 5:23; Titus 2:3
  19. 1 Timothy 3:8 : 1 Tim 3:3; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet 5:2
  20. 1 Timothy 3:9 : 1 Tim 1:5, 19
  21. 1 Timothy 3:10 : 1 Tim 5:22
  22. 1 Timothy 3:11 : 2 Tim 3:3; Titus 2:3
  23. 1 Timothy 3:11 : 1 Tim 3:2
  24. 1 Timothy 3:12 : Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:8
  25. 1 Timothy 3:12 : 1 Tim 3:2
  26. 1 Timothy 3:12 : 1 Tim 3:4
  27. 1 Timothy 3:13 : Matt 25:21
  28. 1 Timothy 3:15 : 1 Cor 3:16; 2 Cor 6:16; Eph 2:21f; 1 Pet 2:5; 4:17
  29. 1 Timothy 3:15 : 1 Tim 3:5
  30. 1 Timothy 3:15 : Matt 16:16; 1 Tim 4:10
  31. 1 Timothy 3:15 : Gal 2:9; 2 Tim 2:19
  32. 1 Timothy 3:16 : Rom 16:25
  33. 1 Timothy 3:16 : John 1:14; 1 Pet 1:20; 1 John 3:5, 8
  34. 1 Timothy 3:16 : Rom 3:4
  35. 1 Timothy 3:16 : Luke 2:13; 24:4; 1 Pet 1:12
  36. 1 Timothy 3:16 : Rom 16:26; 2 Cor 1:19; Col 1:23
  37. 1 Timothy 3:16 : 2 Thess 1:10
  38. 1 Timothy 3:16 : Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9

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