Sifa Za Waangalizi
13:1 1Tim 1:15; Flp 1:1Hili ni neno la kuaminiwa, kwamba mtu akitamani kazi ya uangalizi, atamani kazi nzuri. 23:2 Tit 1:6-8; Rum 12:13; 2Tim 2:24Basi, imempasa mwangalizi awe mtu asiye na lawama, mume wa mke mmoja, mwenye kiasi, anayejitawala, anayeheshimika, mkarimu, ajuaye kufundisha, 33:3 2Tim 2:24; Lk 16:14; 1Pet 5:2asiwe mlevi, wala mkali bali awe mpole, asiwe mgomvi wala mpenda fedha. 43:4 Tit 1:6Lazima aweze kuisimamia nyumba yake mwenyewe vizuri na kuhakikisha kwamba watoto wake wanamtii na kuwa na heshima kwa kila njia. 53:5 1Kor 10:32(Kwa maana kama mtu hajui jinsi ya kusimamia nyumba yake mwenyewe, atawezaje kuliangalia kanisa la Mungu?) 63:6 1Tim 6:4Asiwe mtu aliyeokoka karibuni asije akajivuna na kuangukia kwenye hukumu ile ile ya ibilisi. 73:7 2Tim 2:26Inampasa pia awe na sifa njema kwa watu walio nje, ili asije akalaumiwa na kuanguka kwenye mtego wa ibilisi.
Sifa Za Mashemasi
83:8 Flp 1:1; Tit 2:3Vivyo hivyo, mashemasi nao wawe watu wanaostahili heshima, wasiwe wenye kauli mbili au wenye kujifurahisha kwa mvinyo, wala wanaotamani faida isiyo halali. 93:9 1Tim 1:9; Mdo 23:1Inawapasa kushikamana sana na ile siri ya imani kwa dhamiri safi. 103:10 1Tim 5:22Ni lazima wapimwe kwanza; kisha kama hakuna neno dhidi yao, basi na waruhusiwe kuhudumu kama mashemasi.
113:11 2Tim 3:3; Tit 2:3Vivyo hivyo, wake zao wawe wanawake wanaostahili heshima, wasio wasingiziaji, bali wawe na kiasi na waaminifu katika kila jambo.
123:12 1Tim 3:2, 4Shemasi awe mume wa mke mmoja na inampasa aweze kusimamia watoto wake na watu wa nyumbani mwake vyema. 133:13 Mt 25:21Wale ambao wamehudumu vyema katika huduma ya ushemasi hujipatia msimamo bora na ujasiri mkubwa katika imani yao ndani ya Kristo Yesu.
14Ingawa ninatarajia kuja kwako hivi karibuni, ninakuandikia maagizo haya sasa ili kwamba, 153:15 1Kor 10:32; Efe 2:21kama nikikawia, utajua jinsi iwapasavyo watu kuenenda katika nyumba ya Mungu, ambayo ndiyo kanisa la Mungu aliye hai, lililo nguzo na msingi wa kweli. 163:16 Rum 16:25; Yn 1:14; Kol 1:23; Mk 16:19Bila shaka yoyote, siri ya utauwa ni kubwa:
Alidhihirishwa katika mwili wa kibinadamu,
akathibitishwa kuwa na haki katika Roho,
akaonekana na malaika,
akahubiriwa miongoni mwa mataifa,
akaaminiwa ulimwenguni,
akachukuliwa juu katika utukufu.
Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons
1Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full3:4 Or him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
8In the same way, deacons3:8 The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in verse 12; and in Romans 16:1 and Phil. 1:1. are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11In the same way, the women3:11 Possibly deacons’ wives or women who are deacons are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
Reasons for Paul’s Instructions
14Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:
He appeared in the flesh,
was vindicated by the Spirit,3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
