1 Timothy 3–4 | Day 57

1 Timothy 3 (NIV 1984)

¹ Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.
² Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
³ not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
⁴ He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey 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?)
⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
⁷ He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.
⁸ Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.
⁹ They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.
¹⁰ They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
¹¹ In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
¹² A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.
¹³ Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
¹⁴ Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that,
¹⁵ if 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.
¹⁶ Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:
He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

1 Timothy 4 (NIV 1984)

¹ The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
² Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
³ They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
⁴ For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
⁵ because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.
⁷ Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.
⁸ For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
⁹ This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance
¹⁰ (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
¹¹ Command and teach these things.
¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
¹⁵ Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.
¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.