Stedfast is the word: If any one the oversight doth long for, a right work he desireth;
it behoveth, therefore, the overseer to be blameless, of one wife a husband, vigilant, sober, decent, a friend of strangers, apt to teach,
not given to wine, not a striker, not given to filthy lucre, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money,
his own house leading well, having children in subjection with all gravity,
(and if any one his own house how to lead hath not known, how an assembly of God shall he take care of?)
not a new convert, lest having been puffed up he may fall to a judgment of the devil;
and it behoveth him also to have a good testimony from those without, that he may not fall into reproach and a snare of the devil.
Ministrants — in like manner grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not given to filthy lucre,
having the secret of the faith in a pure conscience,
and let these also first be proved, then let them minister, being unblameable.
Women — in like manner grave, not false accusers, vigilant, faithful in all things.
Ministrants — let them be of one wife husbands; the children leading well, and their own houses,
for those who did minister well a good step to themselves do acquire, and much boldness in faith that is in Christ Jesus.
These things I write to thee, hoping to come unto thee soon,
and if I delay, that thou mayest know how it behoveth thee to conduct thyself in the house of God, which is an assembly of the living God — a pillar and foundation of the truth,
and, confessedly, great is the secret of piety — God was manifested in flesh, declared righteous in spirit, seen by messengers, preached among nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory!
Canonical academic citations for 1 Timothy 3 (YLT) — copy in your preferred format.
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Paul asks for prayer that the word of the Lord may spread and that he and his team be delivered from wicked men; meanwhile, the Lord will strengthen and guard the Thessalonians. He commands the community to distance themselves from idle, disorderly believers who refuse to work, reminding them of his own example of labor. Those unwilling to work must not eat, and persistent disobedience warrants brotherly correction. The letter closes with a blessing of peace and Paul’s signature to authenticate his writing.
Advice on leadership, conduct, and church order.
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