Faithful is the saying, "If any one is eager to have the oversight of a Church, he desires a noble work."

(If a man does not know how to rule his own household, how shall he have the Church of God given into his care?)

It is needful also that he bear a good character with people outside the Church, lest he fall into reproach or a snare of the Devil.

But, for fear I may be hindered, I now write, so that you may have rules to guide you in dealing with God's household. For this is what the Church of the ever-living God is, and it is the pillar and foundation-stone of the truth.

If a believing woman has widows dependent on her, she should relieve their wants, and save the Church from being burdened--so that the Church may relieve the widows who are really in need.