TIMOTHY, my son, the saying is sure: If any one aspires to the office of
bishop, he desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be above reproach, the
husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt
teacher, no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and no
lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his
children submissive and respectful in every way; for if a man does not
know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God's
church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with
conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil; moreover he must be
well thought of by outsiders, or he may fall into reproach and the
snare of the devil. Deacons likewise must be serious, not
double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for gain; they must hold
the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also
be tested first; then if they prove themselves blameless let them
serve as deacons. The women likewise must be serious, not slanderers,
but temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husband of
one wife, and let them manage their children and their households
well; for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for
themselves and also great confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
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