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Overseers and Deacons

^1 (C1)This is a faithful and trustworthy saying: if any man eagerly seeks the ^(C2)office of ^(F1)overseer (bishop, superintendent), he desires an excellent task.² Now ^(C1)an overseer must be blameless and beyond reproach, ^(C2)the husband of one wife, ^(C3)self-controlled, sensible, respectable, ^(C4)hospitable, ^(C5)able to teach,^3 (C1)not addicted to wine, not ^(F1)a bully nor quick-tempered and hot-headed, but gentle and considerate, ^(C2)free from the love of money not greedy for wealth and its inherent power—financially ethical.⁴ He must ^(C1)manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity keeping them respectful and well-behaved⁵ (for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of ^(C1)the church of God?).⁶ and He must not be a new convert, so that he will not behave stupidly and become ^(C1)conceited by appointment to this high office and fall into the same ^(C2)condemnation incurred by the devil for his arrogance and pride. ^(VR1)7 And he must ^(C1)have a good reputation and be well thought of by ^(C2)those outside the church, so that he will not be discredited and fall into ^(C3)the devil's trap.

^8 (F1)(C1)Deacons likewise must be men worthy of respect honorable, financially ethical, of good character, not double-tongued speakers of half-truths, ^(C2)not addicted to wine, ^(C3)not greedy for dishonest gain,⁹ but ^(C1)upholding and fully understanding the mystery that is, the true doctrine of the Christian faith with a clear conscience resulting from behavior consistent with spiritual maturity.^10 (C1)These men must first be tested; then if they are found to be blameless and beyond reproach in their Christian lives, let them serve as deacons.^11 (F1)Women must likewise be worthy of respect, ^(C1)not malicious gossips, but ^(C2)self-controlled, thoroughly trustworthy in all things.^12 (C1)Deacons must be ^(C2)husbands of only one wife, and ^(C3)good managers of their children and their own households.¹³ For those who have served well as deacons ^(C1)gain a high standing having a good reputation among the congregation, and great confidence in the faith which is founded on and centered in Christ Jesus.

¹⁴ I hope to come to you before long, but I am writing these instructions to you¹⁵ in case I am delayed, so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in ^(C1)the household of God, which is the ^(C2)church of ^(C3)the living God, the ^(C4)pillar and foundation of the truth.¹⁶ And great, we confess, is ^(C1)the mystery the hidden truth of godliness:

He (Jesus Christ) who was ^(C2)revealed in human flesh,
Was ^(C3)justified and vindicated in the Spirit,
^(C4)Seen by angels,
^(C5)Preached among the nations,
^(C6)Believed on in the world,
^(C7)Taken up in glory.