Parallel Bible results for "1 timothy 3"

1 Timothy 3

New Living Translation NLT

1 This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position.”

2 So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.

3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.

4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him.

5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?

6 An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.

7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.

8 In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money.

9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.

10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.

11 In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.

12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well.

13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

14 I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon,

15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

16 Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith : Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.

The Message Bible MSG

1 If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good!

2 But there are preconditions: A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he's talking about,

3 not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money-hungry.

4 He must handle his own affairs well, attentive to his own children and having their respect.

5 For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God's church?

6 He must not be a new believer, lest the position go to his head and the Devil trip him up.

7 Outsiders must think well of him, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap.

8 The same goes for those who want to be servants in the church: serious, not deceitful, not too free with the bottle, not in it for what they can get out of it.

9 They must be reverent before the mystery of the faith, not using their position to try to run things.

10 Let them prove themselves first. If they show they can do it, take them on.

11 No exceptions are to be made for women - same qualifications: serious, dependable, not sharp-tongued, not overfond of wine.

12 Servants in the church are to be committed to their spouses, attentive to their own children, and diligent in looking after their own affairs.

13 Those who do this servant work will come to be highly respected, a real credit to this Jesus-faith.

14 I hope to visit you soon, but just in case I'm delayed, I'm writing this letter so

15 you'll know how things ought to go in God's household, this God-alive church, bastion of truth.

16 This Christian life is a great mystery, far exceeding our understanding, but some things are clear enough: He appeared in a human body, was proved right by the invisible Spirit, was seen by angels. He was proclaimed among all kinds of peoples, believed in all over the world, taken up into heavenly glory.