1 Timothy 3:1-10 ▼

1 It is a faithful saying: if a man desires the episcopate, he desires a good work.

2 Therefore, it is necessary for a bishop to be beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, gracious, chaste, hospitable, a teacher,

3 not a drunkard, not combative but restrained, not quarrelsome, not covetous;

4 but a man who leads his own house well, having children who are subordinate with all chastity.

5 For if a man does not know how to lead his own house, how will he take care of the Church of God?

6 He must not be a new convert, lest, being elated by pride, he may fall under the sentence of the devil.

7 And it is necessary for him also to have good testimony from those who are outside, so that he may not fall into disrepute and the snare of the devil.

8 Similarly, deacons must be chaste, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not pursuing tainted profit,

9 holding to the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.

10 And these things should be proven first, and then they may minister, being without offense.