1 Timothy
Chapter 3
Overview
Paul explains what kind of character should mark those entrusted with leadership and service in a Christian community. Ability matters, but daily conduct matters just as much: self-control, faithfulness, hospitality, honesty, and responsible care for one’s household. Leaders must also earn the respect of people outside the community. Paul then tells Timothy why these instructions are urgent. God’s community is meant to support and uphold the truth, and its life centers on the great revealed truth about Jesus—his human life, public vindication, worldwide proclamation, and glorious exaltation.
1This statement is trustworthy: Whoever seeks to oversee a congregation desires a good and valuable work.
2Therefore, an overseer must have a reputation that gives no grounds for accusation. He must be faithful to his wife, clear-minded, self-controlled, respectable, welcoming to strangers, and able to teach.
3He must not be a heavy drinker or violent. Instead, he must be gentle, peaceable, and free from the love of money.
4He must manage his own household well and keep his children under control with complete dignity.
5After all, if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s congregation?
6He must not be a new believer, or pride may swell up in him and bring him under the same judgment as the devil.
7He must also have a good reputation among people outside the congregation, so that he does not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
8In the same way, those who serve the congregation must be worthy of respect. They must not say one thing to one person and something different to another. They must not drink too much wine or pursue dishonest profit.
9They must hold firmly to the revealed truth of the faith with a clear conscience.
10They too must first be evaluated. Then, if no accusation against them holds up, they may serve.
11The women, likewise, must be worthy of respect. They must not spread harmful accusations, but must be clear-minded and trustworthy in everything.
12Those who serve must be faithful to their wives and manage their children and their own households well.
13Those who serve well gain an honored standing for themselves and great confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
14I am writing these things to you, though I hope to come to you soon.
15But if I am delayed, I want you to know how people should conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the congregation of the living God—the pillar and firm support of the truth.
16Without question, the revealed truth at the heart of a life devoted to God is great: Christ appeared as a human being, was shown to be in the right by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, and was taken up in glory.