Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons
1 This saying is trustworthy: r “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, ,s he desires a noble work.” 2 An overseer, t therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, u respectable, hospitable, v able to teach, 3 not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy. w 4 He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil. x 7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s y trap.
8 Deacons, z likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith a with a clear conscience. b 10 They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. 11 Wives, ,c too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, d faithful in everything. 12 Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. 13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness
14 I write these things to you, hoping to come e to you soon. 15 But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, f which is the church of the living God, g the pillar and foundation of the truth. h 16 And most certainly, the mystery of godliness i is great:
He was manifested in the flesh, j
vindicated in the Spirit, k
seen by angels,
preached among the nations,
believed l on in the world,
taken up in glory. m
A. Overseers or bishops (3:1–7). Church leadership had become problematic in Ephesus. Charges were being brought against some church officers (5:17–22), and disputes had erupted about who should be teaching (1:4–7). Immature believers had unwisely been elevated to spiritual leadership (3:6; 5:22), resulting in the scenario Paul had predicted for the church at Ephesus (Ac 20:30).
B. Deacons (3:8–13). 3:8–10. As at Php 1:1, Paul mentions a second kind of leadership role, “deacons” (Gk diakonoi). These may be assistant overseers or overseers in training, or officers who care for the material needs of the congregation. The diakon- word group is flexible, relating to primarily various types of ministry or service (e.g., Ac 6:1–6; 1 Tm 1:12; 4:6; 2 Tm 1:18; 4:11). In Acts and other epistles written by Paul, diakon- terminology especially clusters around financial matters (Ac 12:25; Rm 15:25, 31; 2 Co 8:4; 9:1). First Timothy shows concern for how the church and community should allot their resources (5:1–16) and employ their riches (6:1–19). Perhaps, as Ac 6 suggests, a central role of deacons is to assist overseers by supervising the church’s finances and relief for the poor.
3:11–13. Sandwiched between 3:10 and 3:12 is a discussion of “wives” (the Greek word gynē means “wife” or “woman,” depending entirely on context; see the CSB footnote for 3:11). Paul refers either to “deacons’ wives” or to “women who are deacons.” Paul could mean that deacons’ wives ought to conduct themselves in ways that befit their husbands’ callings. If so, however, it is puzzling that Paul would not have first commented on overseers’ wives (especially since overseers are expected to be hospitable). On the other hand, at this point the Greek language had no separate word for “deaconess”; thus, Paul uses the masculine diakonos to refer to Phoebe, a ministerial assistant in Cenchreae (Rm 16:1–2). His opening of 3:11 probably indicates Paul envisions women as well as men (“too”) being tested for service as deacons.
A. True religion (3:14–16). In Paul’s absence, he expects Timothy to minister under his authority (see 1 Co 4:17, 19; 16:10–11; 1 Th 3:1–6). The gospel should be expressed visibly in the life of the church, and Paul wants Timothy’s life (like his own) to exemplify that (3:15a).