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Qualifications of Bishops
1The saying is sure:3.1 Some interpreters place these words at the end of the previous paragraph. Other ancient authorities read The saying is commonly accepted whoever aspires to the office of bishop3.1 Or overseer desires a noble task. 2Now a bishop3.2 Or an overseer must be above reproach, married only once,3.2 Gk the husband of one wife temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, 3not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way— 5for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church? 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.
Qualifications of Deacons
8Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money; 9they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons. 11Women3.11 Or Their wives, or Women deacons likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. 12Let deacons be married only once,3.12 Gk be husbands of one wife and let them manage their children and their households well; 13for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Our Religion
14I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, 15if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth. 16Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great:
He3.16 Gk Who; other ancient authorities read God; others, Which was revealed in flesh,
vindicated3.16 Or justified in spirit,3.16 Or by the Spirit
seen by angels,
proclaimed among Gentiles,
believed in throughout the world,
taken up in glory.
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.