1 Timothy · Chapter 3
1 Timothy 3
Berean Standard Bible · Public domain · Source credits
Qualifications for Overseers
(Titus 1:5–9; 1 Peter 5:1–4)
1This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.
2An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,*
3not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.
4An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.
5For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?
6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.
7Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
Qualifications for Deacons
(Acts 6:1–7)
8Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.
9They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.
11In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.*
12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.
13For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness
14Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things
15in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great:He appeared in the flesh,was vindicated by the Spirit,was seen by angels,was proclaimed among the nations,was believed in throughout the world,was taken up in glory.*
Source notes
Old Testament references
References from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Text from the Berean Standard Bible.
Proverbs 11:30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
Isaiah 56:10Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.
Leviticus 10:9“You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting, or else you will die; this is a permanent statute for the generations to come.
Isaiah 5:11Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, who linger into the evening, to be inflamed by wine.
Isaiah 5:12At their feasts are the lyre and harp, tambourines and flutes and wine. They disregard the actions of the LORD and fail to see the work of His hands.
Isaiah 28:1Woe to the majestic crown of Ephraim’s drunkards, to the fading flower of his glorious splendor, set on the summit above the fertile valley, the pride of those overcome by wine.
Isaiah 28:7These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments.
Isaiah 56:12“Come, let me get the wine, let us imbibe the strong drink, and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!”
Ezekiel 44:21No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.
Micah 2:11If a man of wind were to come and say falsely, “I will preach to you of wine and strong drink,” he would be just the preacher for this people!
Proverbs 1:19Such is the fate of all who are greedy, whose unjust gain takes the lives of its possessors.
Proverbs 15:27He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.