1 Timothy 3:1-13

Leaders and Deacons

1 Here is a saying you can trust. If anyone wants to be a leader in the church, he wants to do a good work for God and people.

2 A leader must be free from blame. He must be faithful to his wife. In anything he does, he must not go too far. He must control himself. He must be worthy of respect. He must welcome people into his home. He must be able to teach.

3 He must not get drunk. He must not push people around. He must be gentle. He must not be a person who likes to argue. He must not love money.

4 He must manage his own family well. He must make sure that his children obey him and show him proper respect.

5 Suppose someone doesn't know how to manage his own family. Then how can he take care of God's church?

6 The leader must not be a new believer. If he is, he might become proud. Then he would be judged just like the devil.

7 The leader must also be respected by those who are outside the church. Then he will not be put to shame. He will not fall into the devil's trap.

8 Deacons also must be worthy of respect. They must be honest and true. They must not drink too much wine. They must not try to get money by cheating people.

9 They must hold on to the deep truths of the faith. Even their own minds tell them to do that.

10 First they must be tested. Then let them serve as deacons if there is nothing against them.

11 In the same way, their wives must be worthy of respect. They must not say things that harm others. In anything they do, they must not go too far. They must be worthy of trust in everything.

12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife. He must manage his children and family well.

13 Those who have served well earn the full respect of others. They also become more sure of their faith in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 3:1-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 TIMOTHY 3

In this chapter the apostle treats of the qualifications of officers of churches, bishops and deacons, and of their wives; and points at the principal reason of writing this epistle to Timothy: and first, he commends the office of a bishop, as a good and desirable one; and asserts it to be such in the strongest manner, 1Ti 3:1 and then follow the qualifications for it, some of which are of the economical or domestic kind, and regard him as an husband and parent, and the head of the family; others of a moral nature, and relate to sobriety, hospitality, temperance, patience, and liberality; and others of the ecclesiastical sort, as aptness to teach, and that he should not be a novice in religion; and in general, that he should be a man of a blameless life, and of good report in the world, 1Ti 3:2-7, next an account is given of the qualifications of deacons; some which concern their moral character; others their soundness in the faith; and others their domestic affairs, and their conduct in their families; about which they should be first examined, before they were put into their office; the characters of their wives are also given; and for their encouragement in the faithful performance of their office, it is observed, that they hereby obtain a good degree of honour and boldness in the faith of Christ, 1Ti 3:8-13. And the end of the apostle's writing this epistle, and particularly of giving Timothy this account of the qualifications of the officers of the church of God, is, that he might know whom to appoint over it, and how to conduct himself in it; which he commends from its being the house of God, the church of the living God, and the pillar and ground of truth, 1Ti 3:14,15. Of which truth he gives a summary, in several particulars of it, which open the great mystery of godliness, 1Ti 3:16.