1 Timothy 3

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1 Timothy 3 <- 1 Timothy 2 1 Timothy 4 ->

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Leaders in the Church
1  IT IS A TRUSTWORTHY STATEMENT: IF SOMEONE ASPIRES TO THE OFFICE OF OVERSEER (Male administrative offices of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher. 1 Cor. 12:28 Eph. 4:11), IT IS A FINE WORK COVETED. (1 Cor. 12:31)

2  AN OVERSEER, THEN, MUST BE ABOVE REPROACH, THE HUSBAND OF his FIRST WIFE, TEMPERATE, WISE, RESPECTABLE, HOSPITABLE, ABLE TO TEACH, (This is not a requirement for ministers/pastors to be married. But rather that he not be unjustly divorced from previous wives. However, we must consider all scripture & realize that if a previous divorce was based upon any type of fornication on her part, spiritual or physical, then he is free to remarry. The word for "first" can be translated as "one" or "first". It is translated as "first" in Matt. 28:1, Luke 14:18. Context & true doctrine must be considered for proper translation. Even if Paul meant "one", this is only Paul's personal advice to Timothy concerning ordaining new prospective ministers. This is not "thus saith THE LORD" & the context has nothing to do with how many wives a man can have.)

3  NOT ADDICTED TO WINE NOR A BRAWLER, BUT GENTLE, PEACEABLE, FREE FROM THE LOVE OF MONEY.

4  ONE WHO RULES HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD WELL, KEEPING HIS CHILDREN UNDER CONTROL WITH ALL DIGNITY;

5  BUT IF SOMEONE DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO MANAGE HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD, HOW WILL HE TAKE CARE OF THE CONGREGATION OF CALLED OUT ONES OF THEOS?,

6  NOT A NEW CONVERT, SO THAT HE WILL NOT BECOME CONCEITED AND FALL INTO THE CONDEMNATION INCURRED BY THE DEVIL.

7  AND HE MUST HAVE A GOOD REPUTATION WITH THOSE OUTSIDE the congregation of called out ones, SO THAT HE WILL NOT FALL INTO REPROACH AND THE SNARE OF THE DEVIL. (However, Paul himself entered the ministry immediately upon conversion/immersion/baptism & was not of a good reputation. Paul is giving his advice of how Timothy should be careful about who he ordains as ministers. It's good advice. But Jesus always has the final say & is capable of ordaining someone into ministry & even into administrative office immediately upon conversion like Paul.)

8  DEACONS LIKEWISE must be HONOURABLE, NOT DOUBLE TONGUED, OR ADDICTED TO MUCH WINE OR given to FILTHY/DISHONORABLE GAIN/PROFIT, (Titus 1:7)

9  but HOLDING TO THE MYSTERY OF THE FAITH WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE.

10  THEY MUST ALSO FIRST BE TESTED; THEN LET THEM SERVE AS DEACONS IF THEY ARE BEYOND REPROACH.

11  WOMEN (deaconesses) LIKEWISE must be DIGNIFIED, NOT MALICIOUS GOSSIPS, BUT TEMPERATE, FAITHFUL IN ALL THINGS.
(Cannot be talking about minister's wives. Context shows requirements for ministers themselves.)

12  DEACONS MUST BE HUSBANDS OF FIRST WIFE, and GOOD MANAGERS OF CHILDREN AND THEIR OWN HOUSEHOLDS. ("First" = Strong's Greek 3391, can be translated as either "first" or "one" depending on the context. The context of this verse is the behaviour of the prospective new ministers and therefore demands the translation to be "first". There's nothing in the context speaking against polygamy. See note in Matt. 25:1. "First wife" Means that Paul's personal advice to Timotheos is that he should ordain only men who have not been unreasonably divorced, especially multiple times. This is not "Thus said God/Jesus". This is only Paul's counsel to Timotheos. It is wise counsel/advice since people who have been divorced multiple times do not show evidence of wisdom & right decision making, and there must be other problems with them as well that have caused the multiple divorces. This verse is not teaching that ministers must be married. Even Paul was single.)

13  FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED WELL AS DEACONS OBTAIN FOR THEMSELVES A HIGH STANDING AND GREAT CONFIDENCE IN THE FAITH THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS.

The Truths of Our Faith
14  I AM WRITING THESE THINGS TO YOU, HOPING TO COME TO YOU BEFORE LONG;

15  BUT IN CASE I AM DELAYED, I write SO THAT YOU WILL KNOW HOW ONE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF IN THE HOUSEHOLD OF THEOS (The Alpha & Omega), WHICH IS THE CONGREGATION OF CALLED OUT ONES OF THE LIVING THEOS (The Alpha & Omega), THE PILLAR AND SUPPORT OF THE TRUTH.

16  BY COMMON CONFESSION, GREAT IS THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS: HE (God The Father) WHO WAS MANIFESTED IN THE FLESH (John 1:14), WAS JUSTIFIED IN THE SPIRIT, SEEN BY ANGELS, PROCLAIMED AMONG THE NATIONS, BELIEVED ON IN THE WORLD, TAKEN UP IN GLORY. (Notice the comparison of 2 different mysteries in 1 Tim. 3:16 and 2 Thes. 2:7)

<- 1 Timothy 2 1 Timothy 4 ->

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