Modern Literal Version
[1 Timothy 3]




     {1Ti 3:1-7 & Tit 1:5-9 Congregational leaders.}



     {'Unimpeachable,' (below, G423), 'irreproachable,' (Tit 1, G410), are both in the qualifications of the Lord's earthly congregation's leadership, described in various Bible versions and locations within as: elders, bishops, overseers, pastors, shepherds, presbyters; (all terms are always plural in the Bible). These words do not translate well into English. They are simply a description of a person not under an accusation by an enemy or legal system or better, as under any kind of accusation. This person is blameless, guiltless and has an impeccable reputation. Another note: 'children' is plural in Greek.}



     3:1 Faithful is the word: if any man is aspiring to the overseership, he is desiring a good work.3:2 Therefore, it is essential for the overseer to be: unimpeachable, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, orderly, hospitable, skilled in teaching; 3:3 not a drunkard, not a bully, not covetous, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a money-lover; 3:4 the one who is governing his own house well, having his children in subjection with all honesty; 3:5 (but if anyone did not know how to govern his own house, how will he be caring for the congregation* of God?;) 3:6 not a new-convert, (in order that whenever he was puffed up, he might not fall into the condemnation of the devil). 3:7 But it is also essential for him to have a good testimony from those who are outside the congregation*; in order that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.




     {Deacons, is a transliteration of the Greek word diakonos G1249. This word and its compounds in all other contexts are translated 'serve,' 'servant,' or 'service' (see 3:10 & 3:13). Because 'elder' ('overseer' in Php 1:1) a known office of the congregation is used, this context calls for an office or serving position in the congregation. The actual word in Greek means 'servant' who serves in reference to his job. The same word is used by Paul to describe a 'policeman' (in modern terms) in Rm. 13:4. Context could also mean 'those who minister,' in general. Other Greek synonyms in the MLV are translated as: 'domestic servant,' 'attendant,' 'minister*' and 'bondservant.'}



     3:8 Deacons likewise*must be honorable, not double-tongued, not taking-heed to much wine, not covetous; 3:9 holding the mystery of the faith in a clean conscience. 3:10 But let* these also first be tested; thereafter let* them serve, being irreproachable.



     3:11 Women likewise*must be honorable, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things.



     3:12 Let* deacons be husbands of one wife, governing their children and their own houses well.3:13 For* those who served well are acquiring for themselves a good rank and much boldness inthe faith which is in Christ Jesus.




     3:14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you shortly; 3:15 but if I am slow, these things are in order that you may know how it is essential for men to conduct themselves in the house of God, which is the congregation* of the living God, the pillar and base of the truth. 3:16And confessedly great is the mystery of devoutness: God was manifested in the flesh, was made righteous in the Spirit, was seen by messengers, was preached among the nations, was believedon in the world, was received up in glory.





Modern Literal Version Preface & Appendix , copyright 1987, 1999, 2013 by G. Allen Walker for the MLV New Testament Committee.
Would you like to have the Modern Literal Version the World's most accurate translation on your web site? Visit '
The Christian Library' for more info.