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Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

¹ This saying is trustworthy: "If someone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work." ² The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, ³ not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. ⁴ He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity. ⁵ But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God? ⁶ He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact. ⁷ And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil's trap.

⁸ Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain, ⁹ holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless. ¹¹ Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect. ¹² Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households. ¹³ For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Conduct in God's Church

¹⁴ I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you ¹⁵ in case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God, the support and bulwark of the truth. ¹⁶ And we all agree, our religion contains amazing revelation: