1 Timothy 3:4-16 ▼

4 presiding over his own house well, having children in submission, with all dignity—

5 but if anyone does not know how to preside over his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?—

6 not a novice, lest, having been puffed up, he might fall into the judgment of the devil.

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

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not being given to much wine, not greedy for shameful gain,

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

10 And these also, let them be tested first; then let them serve, being blameless.

11 Women likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12 Let deacons be husbands of one wife, presiding over their children and their own households well.

13 For those having served well acquire a good standing for themselves and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

14 I write these things to you, hoping to come to you in quickness,

15 but if I should delay, so that you may know how it is necessary to conduct oneself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and base of the truth.

16 And confessedly, great is the mystery of godliness: He who appeared in flesh, was justified in the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.