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.

This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skillful in teaching,

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

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

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

He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity

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

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

(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall 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.

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

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

Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not insincere, not prone to drink much wine, not greedy for money,

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

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

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

These men must also first be tested; then have them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.

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

Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.

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

Deacons must be husbands of one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.

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

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.

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.

I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long;

These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:

but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one should act in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Beyond question, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.

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.