Parallel Verses
An Understandable Version
Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of [only] one wife, sober-minded [Note: When this word, used here figuratively, is used in its literal sense, it means to abstain from intoxicating drinks], sensible, respectable, hospitable, capable of teaching.
New American Standard Bible
King James Version
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Holman Bible
An overseer,
International Standard Version
Therefore, an elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife, stable, sensible, respectable, hospitable to strangers, and teachable.
A Conservative Version
The overseer therefore must be blameless, the husband of one wife, without wine, serious minded, disciplined, loving strangers, able to teach,
American Standard Version
The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Amplified
Now an overseer must be blameless and beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
Anderson New Testament
A bishop, then, must be blame less, the husband of one wife, watchful, soberminded, modest, hospitable, able to teach,
Bible in Basic English
The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his house freely to guests, a ready teacher;
Common New Testament
Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
Daniel Mace New Testament
a bishop therefore ought to be of an unspotted character, to have but one wife, to be sober, prudent, grave, hospitable, and qualified for teaching:
Darby Translation
The overseer then must be irreproachable, husband of one wife, sober, discreet, decorous, hospitable, apt to teach;
Godbey New Testament
Therefore it behooves the bishop to be blameless, the husband of one wife, modest, prudent, orderly, hospitable, competent to teach,
Goodspeed New Testament
A superintendent must be a man above reproach, only once married, temperate, sensible, a man of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;
John Wesley New Testament
A bishop therefore must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, prudent, of good behaviour, hospitable, apt to teach;
Julia Smith Translation
Therefore an overseer must be irreprehensible, husband of one wife, sober, of sound mind, well arranged, hospitable, giving instruction;
King James 2000
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Lexham Expanded Bible
Therefore the overseer must be irreproachable, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skillful in teaching,
Modern King James verseion
Then it behooves the overseer to be without reproach, husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, well-ordered, hospitable, apt at teaching,
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Yea, and a bishop must be faultless, the husband of one wife, sober, discreet, honestly appareled, harborous, apt to teach,
Moffatt New Testament
Well, for the office of a bishop a man must be above reproach; he must be only married once, he must be temperate, master of himself, unruffled, hospitable, a skilled teacher,
Montgomery New Testament
The minister should be a man of blameless character; he should be husband of but one wife; he should live a sober, self-restrained, orderly life; he should be hospitable, skilled in teaching;
NET Bible
The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,
New Heart English Bible
The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;
Noyes New Testament
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, discreet, orderly, hospitable, apt in teaching;
Sawyer New Testament
It is necessary therefore that a bishop should be blameless, a husband of one wife, circumspect, sober, well-behaved, hospitable, apt to teach,
The Emphasized Bible
It is needful, then, for, the overseer, to be irreproachable, a husband, of one wife, sober, of sound mind, orderly, hospitable, apt in teaching,
Thomas Haweis New Testament
A bishop then must be irreprehensible, the husband of one wife, temperate, sagacious, respectable, hospitable, well qualified for teaching;
Twentieth Century New Testament
The Presiding-Officer should be a man of blameless character; a faithful husband; living a temperate, discreet, and well-ordered life; hospitable, and a skillful teacher,
Webster
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Weymouth New Testament
A minister then must be a man of irreproachable character, true to his one wife, temperate, sober-minded, well-behaved, hospitable to strangers, and with a gift for teaching;
Williams New Testament
So the pastor must be a man above reproach, must have only one wife, must be temperate, sensible, well-behaved, hospitable, skillful in teaching;
World English Bible
The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;
Worrell New Testament
It is needful, therefore, that the bishop be irreproachable, a husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, hospitable, apt to teach,
Worsley New Testament
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, sober, prudent, grave,
Youngs Literal Translation
it behoveth, therefore, the overseer to be blameless, of one wife a husband, vigilant, sober, decent, a friend of strangers, apt to teach,
Themes
Behaviour » Behaviour, exhortations concerning
Bishop » An overseer, a supervisor
Bishop » The duties of a bishop
Christian ministers » Marriage of
Christian conduct » Blamelessness
Christian conduct » Behaviour, exhortations concerning
Drunkenness » Who should not drink
Foes of the home » Polygamy » Forbidden
Guests » Hospitality to » The duty of
Leaders » Preaching » As teachers of the word
Ministers » Hospitality to » The duty of
Ministers » Work of preaching » As teachers of the word
Ministers » Remuneration of » Teachers
Ministers » Should be » Apt to teach
Ministers » Should be » Blameless
Ministers » Should be » Hospitable
Religious » Support of unfaithful » As teachers of the word
Sobriety » Who should be sober
Sobriety » Required in » God's servants
Sobriety » Required in » Ministers
Social life » Hospitality » The duty of
Interlinear
References
Word Count of 37 Translations in 1 Timothy 3:2
Images 1 Timothy 3:2
Prayers for 1 Timothy 3:2
Verse Info
Context Readings
Qualifications For Overseers
1 This is a trustworthy saying: If any man eagerly desires to be an overseer [i.e., an elder], he desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of [only] one wife, sober-minded [Note: When this word, used here figuratively, is used in its literal sense, it means to abstain from intoxicating drinks], sensible, respectable, hospitable, capable of teaching. 3 [He must] not be a drunkard or a fighter, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not wanting to get money by questionable [or, dishonest] means.
Cross References
1 Timothy 5:9
[But] do not put a widow on the list [i.e., of people being helped by the church. See Acts 6:1] who is under sixty years old. [And she must] have been the wife of one man,
2 Timothy 2:24
For the Lord's slave must not quarrel, but be kind toward everyone, capable of teaching, [and] patient [with difficult people and situations].
Romans 12:13
Contribute to the needs of God's people. Be eager in showing hospitality.
1 Peter 4:9
Extend hospitality to one another without complaining [that you have to].
Titus 1:6-9
[An elder must] not be guilty of just blame, [he must be] the husband of one wife, whose children are believers [Note: The word for "believers" may also be translated "faithful ones" or "trustworthy ones"], who have a reputation for not being wild or disobedient.
Hebrews 13:2
Do not forget to show hospitality toward strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without realizing it.
Luke 1:6
They both did what was right in God's sight [by] living blamelessly according to all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.
Philippians 2:15
so that you will be without just blame and innocent [of wrongdoing], children of God without fault in the middle of a crooked and perverted generation of people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky,
1 Timothy 3:10-11
And these [prospective deacons] should also first be tested, [and] then they should [be appointed to] serve [as deacons] if they are found to be above reproach.
1 Timothy 4:3
They forbid people to get married and require them to avoid [eating] certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and [fully] know the truth.
Titus 2:2
Older men should be sober-minded [See note at I Tim. 3:2], dignified [i.e., respectable], sensible, sound in the faith [or, "in their faith"], in their love and in their perseverance.
Hebrews 3:14
For we have become sharers with Christ, if we hold firmly onto the confidence [we had in Him] from the beginning until the end [of our lives].
1 Peter 4:7
But the end of everything [as far as your lives are concerned] is near, so be sensible, and sober [so as to be] prayerful.
1 Peter 5:8
Be sensible and alert; your enemy the devil is prowling around like a roaring [i.e., hungry] lion looking for someone to [kill and] eat.