Bible Gateway passage: 1 Timothy 3 - New International Version (2024)

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

3Here is a trustworthy saying:^(A) Whoever aspires to be an overseer^(B) desires a noble task. ²Now the overseer is to be above reproach,^(C) faithful to his wife,^(D) temperate,^(E) self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,^(F) able to teach,^{(G) 3}not given to drunkenness,^(H) not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,^(I) not a lover of money.^{(J) 4}He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full^[a] respect.^{(K) 5}(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)^{(L) 6}He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited^(M) and fall under the same judgment^(N) as the devil. ⁷He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,^(O) so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.^(P)

⁸In the same way, deacons^[b](Q) are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine,^(R) and not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁹They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.^{(S) 10}They must first be tested;^(T) and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

¹¹In the same way, the women^[c] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers^(U) but temperate^(V) and trustworthy in everything.

¹²A deacon must be faithful to his wife^(W) and must manage his children and his household well.^{(X) 13}Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

¹⁴Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, ¹⁵if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church^(Y) of the living God,^(Z) the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶Beyond all question, the mystery^(AA) from which true godliness^(AB) springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,^(AC)
was vindicated by the Spirit,^[d]
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,^(AD)
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.^(AE)

Footnotes

1. 1 Timothy 3:4 Or him with proper
2. 1 Timothy 3:8 The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in verse 12; and in Romans 16:1 and Phil. 1:1.
3. 1 Timothy 3:11 Possibly deacons’ wives or women who are deacons
4. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit

Cross references

1. 1 Timothy 3:1 : S 1Ti 1:15
2. 1 Timothy 3:1 : Ac 20:28; Php 1:1; Tit 1:7
3. 1 Timothy 3:2 : Tit 1:6-8
4. 1 Timothy 3:2 : ver 12
5. 1 Timothy 3:2 : ver 11; Tit 2:2
6. 1 Timothy 3:2 : S Ro 12:13
7. 1 Timothy 3:2 : 2Ti 2:24
8. 1 Timothy 3:3 : Tit 1:7
9. 1 Timothy 3:3 : 2Ti 2:24
10. 1 Timothy 3:3 : Lk 16:14; 1Ti 6:10; 2Ti 3:2; Heb 13:5; 1Pe 5:2
11. 1 Timothy 3:4 : ver 12; Tit 1:6
12. 1 Timothy 3:5 : S 1Co 10:32
13. 1 Timothy 3:6 : 1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 3:4
14. 1 Timothy 3:6 : S 2Pe 2:4
15. 1 Timothy 3:7 : S Mk 4:11
16. 1 Timothy 3:7 : 2Ti 2:26
17. 1 Timothy 3:8 : Php 1:1
18. 1 Timothy 3:8 : 1Ti 5:23; Tit 1:7; 2:3
19. 1 Timothy 3:9 : S Ac 23:1
20. 1 Timothy 3:10 : 1Ti 5:22
21. 1 Timothy 3:11 : 2Ti 3:3; Tit 2:3
22. 1 Timothy 3:11 : ver 2
23. 1 Timothy 3:12 : ver 2
24. 1 Timothy 3:12 : ver 4
25. 1 Timothy 3:15 : ver 5; S 1Co 10:32
26. 1 Timothy 3:15 : S Mt 16:16
27. 1 Timothy 3:16 : S Ro 16:25
28. 1 Timothy 3:16 : S 1Ti 2:2
29. 1 Timothy 3:16 : S Jn 1:14
30. 1 Timothy 3:16 : Ps 9:11; Col 1:23
31. 1 Timothy 3:16 : S Mk 16:19