A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Read full chapter

Now the overseer is to be above reproach,(A) faithful to his wife,(B) temperate,(C) self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,(D) able to teach,(E) not given to drunkenness,(F) not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,(G) not a lover of money.(H) He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full[a] respect.(I) (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)(J) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited(K) and fall under the same judgment(L) as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,(M) so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.(N)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:4 Or him with proper

16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Read full chapter

16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save(A) both yourself and your hearers.

Read full chapter

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Read full chapter

Final Charge to Timothy

11 But you, man of God,(A) flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness,(B) faith, love,(C) endurance and gentleness.

Read full chapter