[1 Timothy 3]

 

             {1Ti 3:1-7 & Tit 1:5-9 Congregational leaders.}

             {‘Unimpeachable,’ (below, G423), ‘irreproachable,’ (Tit 1, G410), are both in the qualifications of the Lord’s earthly congregation’s leadership, described in various Bible versions and locations within as: elders, bishops, overseers, pastors, shepherds, presbyters; (all terms are always plural in the Bible). These words do not translate well into English. They are simply a description of a person not under an accusation by an enemy or legal system or better, as under any kind of accusation. This person is blameless, guiltless and has an impeccable reputation. Another note: ‘children’ is plural in Greek.}

             ^3:1 The word is faithful: if any man is aspiring to the overseership, he is desiring a good work. ^3:2 Therefore, it is essential for the overseer to be: unimpeachable, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, orderly, hospitable, skilled in teaching; ^3:3 not a drunkard, not a bully, not covetous, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a money-lover; ^3:4 the one governing his own house well, has his children in subjection with all dignity ^3:5 (but if anyone did not know how to govern his own house, how will he be caring for the congregation^* of God?); ^3:6 not a new-convert (in-order-that after being puffed up, he might not fall into the condemnation of the devil). ^3:7 But it is also essential for him to have a good testimony from the ones who are outside the congregation^* in-order-that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

 

             {Deacons, is a transliteration of the Greek word diakonos G1249. This word and its compounds in all other contexts are translated ‘serve,’ ‘servant,’ or ‘service’ (see 3:10 & 3:13). Because ‘elder’ (‘overseer’ in Php 1:1) a known office of the congregation is used, this context calls for an office or serving position in the congregation. The actual word in Greek means ‘servant’ who serves in reference to his job. The same word is used by Paul to describe a ‘policeman’ (in modern terms) in Rm. 13:4. Context could also mean ‘the ones who ministers,’ in general. Other Greek synonyms in the MLV are translated as: ‘domestic servant,’ ‘attendant,’ ‘minister^*’ and ‘bondservant.’}

             ^3:8 Deacons likewise^* must be dignified, not double-tongued, not taking-heed to much wine, not covetous, ^3:9 holding the mystery of the faith in a clean conscience. ^3:10 But let^° these also first be tested; thereafter let^° them serve, being irreproachable.

             ^3:11 Women {Or: wives.} likewise^* must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things.

             ^3:12 Let^° deacons be husbands of one wife, governing their children and their own houses well. ^3:13 For^* the ones who served well, are acquiring for themselves a good rank and much boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

             ^3:14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you shortly, ^3:15 but if I may be slow, these things are in-order-that you may know how it is essential for men to conduct themselves in the house of God, which is the congregation^* of the living God, the pillar and base of the truth. ^3:16 And confessedly {Or: undeniably} great is the mystery of devoutness: God was manifested in the flesh, was made righteous in the Spirit, was seen by messengers, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was received up in glory.