1 This saying is trustworthy:  * 3:1 1Tm 1:15; 4:9 "If anyone aspires to be an overseer,  * 3:1 Or bishop, or pastor,* 3:1 Ac 20:28; Php 1:1; Ti 1:7 he desires a noble work." 2 An overseer,  * 3:2–4 Ti 1:6–8 therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible,  * 3:2 Ti 2:2,5 respectable, hospitable,  * 3:2 Lv 19:34; 1Pt 4:9; 2Jn 10 able to teach, 3 not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy.  * 3:3 1Tm 6:104 He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil.  * 3:6 1Tm 5:12; 2Pt 2:3; Rv 20:1–157 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s  * 3:7 Ac 13:10 trap.

8 Deacons,  * 3:8 Php 1:1 likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith  * 3:9 Php 1:27; 1Tm 1:2,19; Jd 3 with a clear conscience.  * 3:9 Heb 13:1810 They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. 11 Wives,  * 3:11 Or Women,* 3:11 1Pt 3:1–6 likewise, should be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled,  * 3:11 Ti 2:2 faithful in everything. 12 Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. 13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

14 I write these things to you, hoping to come  * 3:14 1Tm 4:13 to you soon. 15 But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household,  * 3:15 1Co 3:16; 2Co 6:16; Eph 2:21–22; 1Pt 2:5; 4:17 which is the church of the living God,  * 3:15 Mt 16:16; 1Tm 4:10 the pillar and foundation of the truth.  * 3:15 Ps 119:142; 2Co 11:10; 2Th 2:1016 And most certainly, the mystery of godliness  * 3:16 2Pt 1:3 is great:

He  * 3:16 Other mss read God was manifested in the flesh,  * 3:16 Jn 1:14; Php 2:7; 1Jn 4:2; 5:20

vindicated in the Spirit,  * 3:16 Rm 1:3–4; 2:28–29; 7:5–6; 8:4; 1Co 5:5; 6:16–17; Gl 3:3; 4:29; 5:16–24; 6:8; Php 3:3; Col 2:5; Rv 1:10

seen by angels,

preached among the nations,

believed  * 3:16 Mt 11:24; Jn 3:16; Ac 10:43; Rm 10:9; 1Pt 1:8–10 on in the world,

taken up in glory.  * 3:16 Mk 16:19; Jn 20:17; 1Pt 3:22