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 to you with 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.
Zowayenereza Oyangʼanira ndi Atumiki
1Mawu woona ndi awa: Ngati munthu akufunitsitsa atakhala woyangʼanira, ndiye kuti akufuna ntchito yabwino. 2Tsono woyangʼanira ayenera kukhala munthu wopanda chotsutsika nacho, mwamuna wa mkazi mmodzi yekha, woganiza bwino, wodziretsa, waulemu, wosamala bwino alendo, wodziwa kuphunzitsa. 3Asakhale chidakwa, asakhale wandewu, koma wofatsa, asakhale wokonda mikangano, kapena wokonda ndalama. 4Akhale wodziwa kusamala bwino banja lake ndi kulera ana ake bwino, kuti akhale omvera ndi aulemu weniweni. 5(Ngati munthu sadziwa kusamala banja lake lomwe, angathe bwanji kusamala mpingo wa Mulungu?) 6Asakhale wongotembenuka mtima kumene kuopa kuti angadzitukumule napezeka pa chilango monga Satana. 7Ayeneranso kukhala munthu wambiri yabwino ndi akunja, kuti anthu asamutonze nagwa mu msampha wa Satana.
8Momwemonso atumiki, akhale anthu oyenera ulemu, woona mtima, osakhala okonda zoledzeretsa, osakonda kupeza zinthu mwachinyengo. 9Ayenera kugwiritsa mozama choonadi cha chikhulupiriro ndi kukhala ndi chikumbumtima chabwino. 10Ayambe ayesedwa kaye, ndipo ngati palibe kanthu kowatsutsa, aloleni akhale atumiki.
11Momwemonso, akazi akhale olemekezeka, osasinjirira koma oganiza bwino ndi odalirika pa chilichonse.
12Mtumiki akhale wokhulupirika kwa mkazi wake ndipo ayenera kukhala wosamalira bwino ana ake ndi onse a pa khomo pake. 13Iwo amene atumikira bwino amakhala ndi mbiri yabwino ndipo amakhala chitsimikizo chachikulu cha chikhulupiriro chawo mwa Khristu Yesu.
Cholinga cha Malangizo a Paulo
14Ngakhale ndili ndi chiyembekezo choti ndifika komweko posachedwapa, ndikukulemberani malangizo awa. 15Ine zina zikandichedwetsa kubwera, mudziwe za mmene anthu ayenera kukhalira mʼNyumba ya Mulungu, imene ndi mpingo wa Mulungu wamoyo, mzati ndi maziko achoonadi. 16Mosakayikira, chinsinsi cha chikhulupiriro chathu chachikulu:
Khristu anaonekera ali ndi thupi la munthu,
Mzimu anamuchitira umboni,
angelo anamuona,
analalikidwa pakati pa mitundu yonse,
dziko lapansi linamukhulupirira,
anatengedwa kupita kumwamba mwa ulemerero.
