12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:

15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife(A) and must manage his children and his household well.(B) 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church(C) of the living God,(D) the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery(E) from which true godliness(F) springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,(G)
    was vindicated by the Spirit,[a]
was seen by angels,
    was preached among the nations,(H)
was believed on in the world,
    was taken up in glory.(I)

The Spirit(J) clearly says that in later times(K) some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits(L) and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.(M) They forbid people to marry(N) and order them to abstain from certain foods,(O) which God created(P) to be received with thanksgiving(Q) by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good,(R) and nothing is to be rejected(S) if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God(T) and prayer.

If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[b] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith(U) and of the good teaching that you have followed.(V)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
  2. 1 Timothy 4:6 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.