1 Timothy 3:8-16 ▼

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.

11 Likewise their wives must be chaste, have an alert mind, faithful in all things, and they must not be slanderers.

12 Let the deacons be appointed from those who have not been polygamous, ruling their children and their own households well.

13 For those who minister well earn good recognition for themselves and grow more familiar with the faith of Jesus Christ.

14 These things I write to you, although hoping to come to you shortly,

15 So that if I am delayed, you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

16 Truly great is this divine mystery of righteousness: it is revealed in the flesh, justi- fied in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory.