1 Timothy 3:1-10 ▼

1 He that aspires to be a bishop, desires an office that is honourable.

2 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:

3 not given to wine or violence, but of a gentle temper, averse to contention and avarice: a master of economy,

4 obliging his children to behave with decorum.

5 for if a man is incapable of governing his own family, how can he take care of the church of God?

6 nor must he be a new convert; for fear he should be elated with pride, and so involve himself in the same ruin as the devil.

7 besides, he ought to stand fair in the opinion of unbelievers, lest he fall into disgrace, and the ambushes of the accuser.

8 The deacons too must be grave, not double tongued, not addicted to drinking, or sordid gain,

9 but by their integrity maintain the reverence due to the gospel.

10 let them be first examin'd, and if they are without reproach, let them enter upon their office.