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 Elders
5 nThis is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and oappoint pelders in every town as I directed you— 6 qif anyone is above reproach, rthe husband of one wife,1 and his children are believers2 and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an soverseer,3 as God’s tsteward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or uquick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in vsound4 doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
Shepherd the Flock of God
1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a ywitness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the zflock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,1 anot under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;2 not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 bnot domineering over those in your charge, but being cexamples to the flock. 4 And dwhen the chief eShepherd appears, you will receive the unfading fcrown of glory.
