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1 Timothy 3:8-16
New American Standard Bible
1 Timothy 3:8-16
New American Standard Bible
8 (A)Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not [a]insincere, (B)not prone to drink much wine, (C)not greedy for money, 9 (D)but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 (E)These men must also first be tested; then have them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 11 [b]Women must likewise be dignified, (F)not malicious gossips, but [c](G)temperate, faithful in all things. 12 (H)Deacons must be (I)husbands of one wife, and [d](J)good managers of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well as deacons (K)obtain for themselves a [e]high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15 but [f]in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one should act in (L)the household of God, which is the (M)church of (N)the living God, the (O)pillar and support of the truth. 16 Beyond question, great is (P)the mystery of godliness:
He who was (Q)revealed in the flesh,
Was [g](R)vindicated [h]in the Spirit,
(S)Seen by angels,
(T)Proclaimed among the nations,
(U)Believed on in the world,
(V)Taken up in glory.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 3:8 Or given to double-talk
- 1 Timothy 3:11 I.e., either deacons’ wives or deaconesses
- 1 Timothy 3:11 Or level-headed
- 1 Timothy 3:12 Lit managing well
- 1 Timothy 3:13 Lit good
- 1 Timothy 3:15 Lit if I delay
- 1 Timothy 3:16 Or justified
- 1 Timothy 3:16 Or by
1 Timothy 3:8-16
New International Version
1 Timothy 3:8-16
New International Version
8 In the same way, deacons[a](A) are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine,(B) and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.(C) 10 They must first be tested;(D) and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, the women[b] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers(E) but temperate(F) and trustworthy in everything.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife(G) and must manage his children and his household well.(H) 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
Reasons for Paul’s Instructions
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(I) of the living God,(J) the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery(K) from which true godliness(L) springs is great:
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 3:8 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.
- 1 Timothy 3:11 Possibly deacons’ wives or women who are deacons
- 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.