1 Timothy 3:8–16

Qualifications for Deacons

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,¹ not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise² must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

The Mystery of Godliness

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

  He³ was manifested in the flesh,
    vindicated⁴ by the Spirit,⁵
      seen by angels,
  proclaimed among the nations,
    believed on in the world,
      taken up in glory.

Footnotes

[1] 3:8 Or devious in speech
[2] 3:11 Or Wives likewise, or Women likewise
[3] 3:16 Greek Who; some manuscripts God; others Which
[4] 3:16 Or justified
[5] 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit

(ESV)