Qualifications of Church Leaders

1 This saying is trustworthy:(a)(A) “If anyone aspires to be an overseer,(B) he desires a noble work.” 2 An overseer,(C) therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible,(D) respectable, hospitable,(E) an able teacher,(b) 3 not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy(F) 4 one who manages his own household competently, having 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 fall into the condemnation of the Devil.(G) 7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil’s(H) trap.

Footnotes:

a. 1 Timothy 3:1: “This saying is trustworthy” could refer to 1Tm 2:15.
b. 1 Timothy 3:2: Or hospitable, skillful in teaching

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