1 Timothy 3:1-10 ▼

1 THIS is a true saying, If a man desires the office of a bishop, he aspires to a good work.

2 He who becomes an bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, have an alert mind, must be sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, and apt at teaching;

3 Not given to wine, not a striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but meek, not a brawler;

4 One who rules well his own household, and keeps his children under submission to bring them up with all purity.

5 For if a man does not know how to rule well his own household, how shall he take care of the church of God?

6 He should not be a recent convert, lest he become proud and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7 Moreover, he must have a good report from outsiders; lest he fall into reproach and the snares of the devil.

8 Likewise the deacons must be pure, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

9 But they must uphold the divine mystery of faith with a pure conscience.

10 Let these first be examined, and then let them minister after they have been found blameless.