1 This is a true saying, If any man desire the office of a Bishop, he desireth a worthie worke. 2 A Bishop therefore must be vnreproueable, the husband of one wife, watching, temperate, modest, harberous, apt to teache, 3 Not giuen to wine, no striker, not giuen to filthy lucre, but gentle, no fighter, not couetous, 4 One that can rule his owne house honestly, hauing children vnder obedience with all honestie. 5 For if any cannot rule his owne house, how shall he care for the Church of God? 6 He may not be a yong scholer, lest he being puffed vp fall into the condemnation of the deuill. 7 He must also be well reported of, euen of them which are without, lest he fall into rebuke, and the snare of the deuill. 8 Likewise must Deacons be graue, not double tongued, not giuen vnto much wine, neither to filthy lucre, 9 Hauing the mysterie of the faith in pure conscience. 10 And let them first be proued: then let them minister, if they be found blameles. 11 Likewise their wiues must be honest, not euill speakers, but sober, and faithfull in all things. 12 Let the Deacons be the husbands of one wife, and such as can rule their children well, and their owne housholdes. 13 For they that haue ministred well, get them selues a good degree, and great libertie in the faith, which is in Christ Iesus. 14 These things write I vnto thee, trusting to come very shortly vnto thee. 15 But if I tary long, that thou maist yet know, how thou oughtest to behaue thy self in ye house of God, which is the Church of the liuing God, the pillar and ground of trueth. 16 And without controuersie, great is the mysterie of godlinesse, which is, God is manifested in the flesh, iustified in the Spirit, seene of Angels, preached vnto the Gentiles, beleeued on in the world, and receiued vp in glorie.
Leaders in the Church
1 This is a true saying: If a man is eager to be a church leader, he desires an excellent work. 2 A church leader must be without fault; he must have only one wife, be sober, self-controlled, and orderly; he must welcome strangers in his home; he must be able to teach; 3 he must not be a drunkard or a violent man, but gentle and peaceful; he must not love money; 4 he must be able to manage his own family well and make his children obey him with all respect. 5 For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of the church of God? 6 He must be mature in the faith, so that he will not swell up with pride and be condemned, as the Devil was. 7 He should be a man who is respected by the people outside the church, so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the Devil's trap.
Helpers in the Church
8 Church helpers must also have a good character and be sincere; they must not drink too much wine or be greedy for money; 9 they should hold to the revealed truth of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They should be tested first, and then, if they pass the test, they are to serve. 11 Their wives also must be of good character and must not gossip; they must be sober and honest in everything. 12 A church helper must have only one wife, and be able to manage his children and family well. 13 Those helpers who do their work well win for themselves a good standing and are able to speak boldly about their faith in Christ Jesus.
The Great Secret
14 As I write this letter to you, I hope to come and see you soon. 15 But if I delay, this letter will let you know how we should conduct ourselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. 16 No one can deny how great is the secret of our religion:
He appeared in human form,
was shown to be right by the Spirit,
and was seen by angels.
He was preached among the nations,
was believed in throughout the world,
and was taken up to heaven.