1 Timothy 3
Qualifications for Overseers
1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Parallel theme: 1 Timothy 4:3, 5:9, Luke 1:6, Romans 12:13, 2 Timothy 2:24, Titus 2:2, Hebrews 3:14, 13:2, 1 Peter 4:9, 5:8 +5
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; Parallel theme: 1 Timothy 3:8, Isaiah 28:7, Ephesians 5:18, Titus 1:7, 3:2, James 4:1
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; Parallel theme: 1 Timothy 3:12, Genesis 18:19, Joshua 24:15, Acts 10:2, Titus 1:6, 2:2, 2:7 +2
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) References God: Acts 20:28. Parallel theme: 1 Samuel 3:13, Ephesians 5:24, 5:32
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Evil: 1 Timothy 6:4. Parallel theme: Isaiah 2:12, 1 Corinthians 3:1, 8:1, 2 Corinthians 12:7, 1 Peter 2:2, 5:5 +2
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Evil: 1 Thessalonians 5:22, 2 Timothy 2:26. Good: Titus 2:5. Parallel theme: 1 Timothy 6:9, Acts 6:3, 1 Corinthians 10:32, 2 Corinthians 6:3, 8:21, Colossians 4:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:12 +5
Qualifications for Deacons
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Parallel theme: 1 Timothy 3:3, 3:12, 5:23, Leviticus 10:9, Psalms 5:9, 12:2, 52:2, Philippians 1:1, Titus 2:3, James 3:10 +5
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. Faith: 1 Timothy 1:5, 1:19
10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Parallel theme: 1 Timothy 3:13, 5:22
11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Faith: Jeremiah 9:4. Parallel theme: 1 Timothy 3:2, Proverbs 10:18, 2 Timothy 3:3, Titus 2:3, 3:2, 1 Peter 5:8 +2
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. Faith: Matthew 25:21. Parallel theme: Hebrews 6:10
The Mystery of Godliness
14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally., which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. References God: Isaiah 9:6, Mark 16:19, 1 Peter 3:22. Faith: Colossians 1:23. Glory: John 1:14, Hebrews 1:3. Spirit: 1 Peter 1:12. Parallel theme: Luke 24:4, Romans 16:25, 1 John 1:2 +5