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.

1 (A)It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the (B)office of (a)overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.

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

1 This saying is trustworthy:(a)(A) “If anyone aspires to be an overseer,(B) he desires a noble work.”

1 This is a trustworthy saying: The one who would an elder be, a noble task desires he.

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.

2 (b)(C)An overseer, then, must be above reproach, (D)the husband of one wife, (E)temperate, prudent, respectable, (F)hospitable, (G)able to teach,

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

2 An overseer,(C) therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible,(D) respectable, hospitable,(E) an able teacher,(b)

2 Therefore, an elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife, stable, sensible, respectable, hospitable to strangers, and teachable.

3 [He must] not be a drunkard or a fighter, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not wanting to get money by questionable [or, dishonest] means.

3 (H)not addicted to wine (c)or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, (I)free from the love of money.

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

3 not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy(F)

3 He must not drink excessively or be a violent person, but instead be gentle. He must not be argumentative or love money.

4 [He must] manage his own family well and, with dignity, keep his children in subjection [or, "respectful"].

4 He must be one who (J)manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity

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

4 one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity.

4 He must manage his own family well and have children who are submissive and respectful in every way.

5 For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how will he be able to take care of the church of God?

5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of (K)the church of God?),

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

5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?)

5 For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?

6 [He must] not be a new convert or else he could become conceited [i.e., over being in a leadership position] and fall into the [same] condemnation incurred by the devil.

6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become (L)conceited and fall into the (M)condemnation (d)incurred by the devil.

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

6 He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the Devil.(G)

6 He must not be a recent convert, so that he won't become arrogant and fall into the Devil's condemnation.

7 He must also have a good reputation among outsiders [i.e., non-Christians], or else he could fall into reproach [i.e., from worldly people] and [therefore] into the devil's trap.

7 And he must (N)have a good reputation with (O)those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and (P)the snare of the devil.

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

7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil’s(H) trap.

7 He must be well thought of by outsiders, so he doesn't fall into disgrace and the trap set for him by the Devil.

Qualifications For Deacons

8 Similarly, deacons should be serious-minded [i.e., dignified], not saying one thing while meaning another, not drinking a lot of wine [Note: The wine of Paul's day was used as a common drink, and was either non-intoxicating or far less intoxicating than wine today], not wanting to get money by questionable [or, dishonest] means.

8 (Q)Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not (e)double-tongued, (f)(R)or addicted to much wine (g)(S)or fond of sordid gain,

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

8 Deacons,(I) likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money,

8 Ministers, too, must be serious. They must not be two-faced, addicted to wine, or greedy for money.

9 They should keep holding on to the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

9 (T)but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

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

9 holding the mystery of the faith(J) with a clear conscience.(K)

9 They must hold firmly to the secret of the faith with clear consciences.

10 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.

10 (U)These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.

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

10 And they must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons.

10 But they must first be tested. Then, if they prove to be blameless, they may become ministers.

11 Women [i.e., probably the deacons' wives], in the same way, should be serious-minded [i.e., dignified], not gossips, [but] sober-minded [see verse 2] and trustworthy in everything.

11 (h)Women must likewise be dignified, (V)not malicious gossips, but (W)temperate, faithful in all things.

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

11 Wives,(L) too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled,(M) faithful in everything.

11 Their wives must also be serious. They must not be gossips, but instead be stable and trustworthy in everything.

12 Deacons should be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own family affairs well.

12 (X)Deacons must be (Y)husbands of only one wife, and (i)(Z)good managers of their children and their own households.

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

12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently.

12 Ministers must be husbands of one wife and must manage their children and their families well.

13 For those who have served well [as deacons] acquire for themselves a good standing [i.e., they are respected in the church], and the ability to speak boldly [or, to act confidently] in the faith that is in Christ Jesus [i.e., in the Christian faith].

13 For those who have served well as deacons (AA)obtain for themselves a (j)high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

13 For 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.

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.

13 Those ministers who serve well gain an excellent reputation for themselves and will have great assurance by their faith in the Messiah Jesus.

The Mystery Of Godliness Described

14 Although I hope to visit you soon, I am writing these things [in this letter]

14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long;

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

14 I write these things to you, hoping to come(N) to you soon.

14 I hope to come to you soon. However, I'm writing this to you

15 so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to behave themselves in God's family, which is the church of the living God, the [supporting] column and foundation of the truth.

15 but (k)in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how (l)one ought to conduct himself in (AB)the household of God, which is the (AC)church of (AD)the living God, the (AE)pillar and support of the truth.

15 But 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.

15 But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to act in God’s household,(O) which is the church of the living God,(P) the pillar and foundation of the truth.(Q)

15 in case I am delayed, so that you may know how to behave in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

16 And without question the revealed secret of godly living is great. [It is this]: He [i.e., Christ, or God], who appeared in a fleshly body [was] vindicated [of false charges] by the Holy Spirit; [He was] seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed in throughout the world [and finally] was taken up into glory [i.e., heaven].

16 By common confession, great is (AF)the mystery of godliness:He who was (AG)revealed in the flesh,Was (m)(AH)vindicated (n)in the Spirit,(AI)Seen by angels,(AJ)Proclaimed among the nations,(AK)Believed on in the world,(AL)Taken up in glory.

16 And 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.

16 And most certainly, the mystery of godliness(R) is great:He(c) was manifested in the flesh,(S)vindicated in the Spirit,(T)seen by angels,preached among the nations,believed(U) on in the world,taken up in glory.(V)

16 By common confession, the secret of our godly worship is great: In flesh was he revealed to sight, kept righteous by the Spirit's might, adored by angels singing. To nations was he manifest, believing souls found peace and rest, our Lord in heaven reigning!

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