1 Timothy 3 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Qualifications of Overseers

3 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]not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not [d]covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a [e]novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the (A)snare of the devil.

Qualifications of Deacons

8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, (B)not given to much wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the [f]mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. 11 Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not [g]slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For those who have served well as deacons (C)obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

The Great Mystery

14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and [h]ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the [i]mystery of godliness:

(D)God[j] was manifested in the flesh,
(E)Justified in the Spirit,
(F)Seen by angels,
(G)Preached among the Gentiles,
(H)Believed on in the world,
(I)Received up in glory.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:1 Lit. overseer
  2. 1 Timothy 3:3 addicted
  3. 1 Timothy 3:3 NU omits not greedy for money
  4. 1 Timothy 3:3 loving money
  5. 1 Timothy 3:6 new convert
  6. 1 Timothy 3:9 hidden truth
  7. 1 Timothy 3:11 malicious gossips
  8. 1 Timothy 3:15 foundation, mainstay
  9. 1 Timothy 3:16 hidden truth
  10. 1 Timothy 3:16 NU Who

Cross references

  1. 1 Timothy 3:7 : 1 Tim. 6:9; 2 Tim. 2:26
  2. 1 Timothy 3:8 : Ezek. 44:21
  3. 1 Timothy 3:13 : Matt. 25:21
  4. 1 Timothy 3:16 : [John 1:14; 1 Pet. 1:20; 1 John 1:2; 3:5, 8]
  5. 1 Timothy 3:16 : [Matt. 3:16; Rom. 1:4]
  6. 1 Timothy 3:16 : Matt. 28:2
  7. 1 Timothy 3:16 : Acts 10:34; Rom. 10:18
  8. 1 Timothy 3:16 : Rom. 16:26; 2 Cor. 1:19; Col. 1:6, 23
  9. 1 Timothy 3:16 : Luke 24:51

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