THE FIRST EPISTLE
OF
PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO
TIMOTHY

1 Timothy 3 ©

1 The apostle declares the characteristic of the office of a teacher. 2 And describes the virtues and qualifications which are required in him, and the vices from which he must be free. 8 The like he does also concerning deacons. 11 And concerning their wives. 12 Further how their families must be ordered. 14 Shows the end why he writes this to Timothy. 15 And declares the dignity of God’s congregation, as being a pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Afterwards comprehends in one sum the principal mysteries of the faith, concerning the Person of Christ and His office.

1

THIS is a 1true saying, If a man 2desire 3the office of a bishop, he desireth 4a good 5work.

2

Aa bishop then must be 6blameless, 7the husband of one wife, 8vigilant, sober, of good 9behaviour, given to hospitality, aptb to teach;

3

Not 10given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;c but 11patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4

One that ruleth well his own 12house, having his children in subjection with all 13gravity;

5

(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

6

Not a 14novice, lest being 15lifted up with pride 16he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7

Moreover he must have a good report of them 17which are without; lest he fall into 18reproach and 19the snare of the devil.

8

Likewise must thed20deacons be 21grave, not 22doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

9

23Holdinge24the mystery of the faith in a 25pure conscience.

10

And let these also 26first be proved;f then let them use the office of a deacon, being found 27blameless.

11

Even so must their 28wives be grave, not slanderers, 29sober, 30faithful in all things.

12

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

13

Forg they that have used the office of a deacon well purchaseh to themselves a good 31degree, and 32great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

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 33ini the house of God, which is the church of the living God, 34the pillar and ground of the truth.

16

And without controversy great is 35the mystery of godliness: 36Godj was 37manifest 38in the flesh, 39justified 40in the Spirit, seen 41of angels, preachedk unto the Gentiles, believed on 42in the world, 43receivedl up into glory.