The saying is atrustworthy: If anyone aspires to bthe office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore aan overseer1 must be above reproach, bthe husband of one wife,2csober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, dhospitable, eable to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but agentle, not quarrelsome, bnot a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity akeeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for aGod’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may abecome puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by aoutsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into ba snare of the devil.
Qualifications for Deacons
8 aDeacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,1bnot addicted to much wine, cnot greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must ahold the mystery of the faith with ba clear conscience. 10 And alet them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 aTheir wives likewise1 must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, bfaithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be athe husband of one wife, amanaging their children and their own households well. 13 For athose who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness
14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: