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.
Bispos e Diáconos
1Esta afirmação é digna de confiança: Se alguém deseja ser bispo3.1 Grego: epíscopo. Palavra que descreve a pessoa que exerce função pastoral; também no versículo 2., deseja uma nobre função. 2É necessário, pois, que o bispo seja irrepreensível, marido de uma só mulher, moderado, sensato, respeitável, hospitaleiro e apto para ensinar; 3não deve ser apegado ao vinho nem violento, mas sim amável, pacífico e não apegado ao dinheiro. 4Ele deve governar bem sua própria família, tendo os filhos sujeitos a ele, com toda a dignidade. 5Pois, se alguém não sabe governar sua própria família, como poderá cuidar da igreja de Deus? 6Não pode ser recém-convertido, para que não se ensoberbeça e caia na mesma condenação em que caiu o Diabo. 7Também deve ter boa reputação perante os de fora, para que não caia em descrédito nem na cilada do Diabo.
8Os diáconos igualmente devem ser dignos, homens de palavra, não amigos de muito vinho nem de lucros desonestos. 9Devem apegar-se ao mistério da fé com a consciência limpa. 10Devem ser primeiramente experimentados; depois, se não houver nada contra eles, que atuem como diáconos.
11As mulheres3.11 Ou As esposas dos diáconos; ou ainda As diaconisas igualmente sejam dignas, não caluniadoras, mas sóbrias e confiáveis em tudo.
12O diácono deve ser marido de uma só mulher e governar bem seus filhos e sua própria casa. 13Os que servirem bem alcançarão uma excelente posição e grande determinação na fé em Cristo Jesus.
14Escrevo estas coisas, embora espere ir vê-lo em breve; 15mas, se eu demorar, saiba como as pessoas devem comportar-se na casa de Deus, que é a igreja do Deus vivo, coluna e fundamento da verdade. 16Não há dúvida de que é grande o mistério da piedade:
Deus3.16 Muitos manuscritos dizem Aquele que. foi manifestado em corpo3.16 Grego: na carne.,
justificado no Espírito,
visto pelos anjos,
pregado entre as nações,
crido no mundo,
recebido na glória.