1 Timothy 3

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

1This saying is true. If someone wants to be an overseer, a leader who watches over a church, he wants good work.

NoteThe KJV word "bishop" means an overseer, someone who watches over a church group. It does not mean a high church rank like today.

2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

2A church leader must live so that no one can blame him. He must have only one wife. He must think clearly and control himself. He should act in a way people respect. He should welcome guests into his home. He must be able to teach.

3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

3He must not drink too much wine. He must not hit people or start fights. He must not be greedy for money. He should be gentle and calm.

Note"Filthy lucre" means money someone gets in a greedy way. "No striker" means he does not hit people.

4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

4He must lead his own family well. His children should obey him and treat him with respect.

5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

5If a man does not know how to lead his own family, how can he care for God's church?

6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

6He must not be new to believing. A new believer could get proud. Then he would be judged, the same way the devil was.

7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

7People outside the church must speak well of him too. If they do not, he may be shamed and caught in the devil's trap.

8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

8Church helpers, called deacons, must be serious in a way people respect. They must not say one thing to one person and something different to another. They must not drink too much wine. They must not be greedy for money.

Note"Grave" here does not mean sad. It means serious in a way that people respect.

9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

9They must hold on to the deep truth about God. And they must do it with a clear conscience, knowing they have done right.

10And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

10First these helpers should be tested. If no one can blame them, then let them serve as deacons.

11Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

11In the same way, the wives must be serious and worthy of respect. They must not say hurtful things about others. They must control themselves. They must be faithful in everything.

12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

12A deacon must have only one wife. He must lead his children and his own home well.

13For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

13Deacons who serve well earn a respected place among God's people. They also grow strong and sure in their trust in Christ Jesus.

Note"Purchase to themselves a good degree" means they earn a respected place. They do not buy anything with money.

14These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:

14I am writing these things to you. I hope to come and see you soon.

15But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

15But I may be slow in coming. Then you will still know how to act in God's household. That household is the church of the living God. The church holds up the truth like a strong pillar on a firm base.

16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

16Everyone agrees that the deep truth about God is great. God was shown here as a person with a body. The Spirit showed that he was right. Angels saw him. His message was told to people of every nation. People all over the world trusted him. He was taken up into glory.