Study Desk

It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.

not overindulging in wine, not a bully, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money.

(but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),

and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into condemnation incurred by the devil.

And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.

but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

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.

by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,

In pointing out these things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have been following.

It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.

Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, and to the younger men as brothers,

Now she who is actually a widow and has been left alone has set her hope on God, and she continues in requests and prayers night and day.

A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,

having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are actually widows.

I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.

Do not go on drinking only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,

he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a sick craving for controversial questions and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,

and constant friction between people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.