Qualifications for Overseers

1 ^bThe saying is trustworthy: ^cIf anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an ^doverseer¹ must be above reproach, ^ethe husband of one wife,² sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must ^fmanage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, ^ghow will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become ^hpuffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a ⁱsnare of the devil.

Qualifications for Deacons

8 ^jDeacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,³ not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must ^khold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And ^llet them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise⁴ must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be ^mthe husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great ⁿconfidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

6 If you put these things before the brothers,¹ you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that ^kyou have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with ^lirreverent, silly ^mmyths. Rather ⁿtrain yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, ^ogodliness is of value in every way, ^pas it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 ^qThe saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive,² because ^rwe have our hope set on the living God, ^swho is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

11 ^tCommand and ^uteach these things. 12 ^vLet no one despise you for your youth, but ^wset the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until ^xI come, devote yourself to the public ^yreading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, ^zwhich was given you by prophecy when the council of elders ^alaid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,³ so that all may see your ^bprogress. 16 ^cKeep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.