1 Timothy 3 - Qualifications for Bishops and Deacons
Paul lays out the character required of church overseers and deacons.
Following 1 Timothy 2's instructions on prayer and church conduct, Paul turns to leadership itself, listing the specific character qualities required of a bishop: blameless, sober, hospitable, and able to teach, ruling his own household well. He then sets a parallel standard for deacons, who must be grave, honest, and proven before serving.
Stedfast `is' the word: If any one the oversight doth long for, a right work he desireth;
it behoveth, therefore, the overseer to be blameless, of one wife a husband, vigilant, sober, decent, a friend of strangers, apt to teach,
not given to wine, not a striker, not given to filthy lucre, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money,
his own house leading well, having children in subjection with all gravity,
(and if any one his own house `how' to lead hath not known, how an assembly of God shall he take care of?)
not a new convert, lest having been puffed up he may fall to a judgment of the devil;
and it behoveth him also to have a good testimony from those without, that he may not fall into reproach and a snare of the devil.
Ministrants -- in like manner grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not given to filthy lucre,
having the secret of the faith in a pure conscience,
and let these also first be proved, then let them minister, being unblameable.
Women -- in like manner grave, not false accusers, vigilant, faithful in all things.
Ministrants -- let them be of one wife husbands; the children leading well, and their own houses,
for those who did minister well a good step to themselves do acquire, and much boldness in faith that `is' in Christ Jesus.
These things I write to thee, hoping to come unto thee soon,
and if I delay, that thou mayest know how it behoveth `thee' to conduct thyself in the house of God, which is an assembly of the living God -- a pillar and foundation of the truth,
and, confessedly, great is the secret of piety -- God was manifested in flesh, declared righteous in spirit, seen by messengers, preached among nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory!