Rules for Choosing Leaders and Deacons
1Here is a saying you can trust. If anyone wants to be a leader in the church, they want to do a good work for God and people. 2A leader must be free from blame. He must be faithful to his wife. In anything he does, he must not go too far. He must control himself. He must be worthy of respect. He must welcome people into his home. He must be able to teach. 3He must not get drunk. He must not push people around. He must be gentle. He must not be a person who likes to argue. He must not love money. 4He must manage his own family well. He must make sure that his children obey him. And he must do this in a way that gains him respect. 5Suppose someone doesn’t know how to manage his own family. Then how can he take care of God’s church? 6The leader must not be a new believer. If he is, he might become proud. Then he would be judged just like the devil. 7The leader must also be respected by those who are outside the church. Then he will not be put to shame. He will not fall into the devil’s trap.
8In the same way, deacons must be worthy of respect. They must be honest and true. They must not drink too much wine. They must not try to get money by cheating people. 9They must hold on to the deep truths of the faith. Even their own minds tell them to do that. 10First they must be tested. Then let them serve as deacons if there is nothing against them.
11In the same way, the women must be worthy of respect. They must not say things that harm others. In anything they do, they must not go too far. They must be worthy of trust in everything.
12A deacon must be faithful to his wife. He must manage his children and family well. 13Those who have served well earn the full respect of others. They also become more sure of their faith in Christ Jesus.
Paul’s Reasons for Giving Instructions to Timothy
14I hope I can come to you soon. But now I am writing these instructions to you. 15Then if I have to put off my visit, you will know how people should act in God’s family. The family of God is the church of the living God. It is the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16There is no doubt that true godliness comes from this great mystery.
Jesus came as a human being.
The Holy Spirit proved that he was the Son of God.
He was seen by angels.
He was preached among the nations.
People in the world believed in him.
He was taken up to heaven in glory.
监督与执事的资格
1“人若渴望做教会的监督，他是在爱慕尊贵的工作。”这句话千真万确。 2做监督的人必须无可指责，只有一位妻子，为人节制自律、通情达理、受人尊敬、乐于接待客旅、善于教导， 3不酗酒、不好斗、要温和、不争吵、不贪财， 4善于管理自己的家，受儿女的敬重和孝顺。 5一个人要是不懂得管理自己的家，又怎能照顾上帝的教会呢？ 6初信主的人不可做监督，免得他自高自大，遭受魔鬼所受的惩罚。 7做监督的在教会以外也必须有好名声，以免被人指责，陷入魔鬼的圈套。
8同样，做执事的也要品行端正，说话诚实，不好酒，不贪财， 9要存着清洁的良心持守奥妙的真道。 10他们要先接受考验，倘若无可指责，就可以立他们为执事。 11执事的妻子3:11 “执事的妻子”或译“女执事”。也要品行端正，不搬弄是非，为人节制，做事忠心。 12执事只能有一位妻子，他要管好自己的儿女和自己的家。 13尽忠职守的执事能得到好声誉，也会对基督耶稣有坚定的信心。
奥妙无比的信仰
14我希望能尽快去你那里，但还是写信告诉你这些事。 15这样，如果我行期延误，你也可以知道在上帝的家中该怎么做。这家是永活上帝的教会，是真理的柱石和根基。 16毫无疑问，我们伟大的信仰奥妙无比：
祂以肉身显现，
被圣灵证明为义，
被天使看见，
被传扬到列邦，
被世人信奉，
被接到天上的荣耀中。
