1 Timothy 3:3-10

3:3 not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. 3:4 He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity. ¹  3:5 But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God? 3:6 He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant ²  and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact. ³  3:7 And he must be well thought of by ⁴  those outside the faith, ⁵  so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap. ⁶ 

3:8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, ⁷  not two-faced, ⁸  not given to excessive drinking, ⁹  not greedy for gain, 3:9 holding to the mystery of the faith ¹⁰  with a clear conscience. 3:10 And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless.

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¹ tn Grk “having children in submission with all dignity.” The last phrase, “keep his children in control without losing his dignity,” may refer to the children rather than the parent: “having children who are obedient and respectful.”

² tn Grk “that he may not become arrogant.”

³ tn Grk “the judgment of the devil,” which could also mean “the judgment that the devil incurred.” But see 1 Tim 1:20 for examples of the danger Paul seems to have in mind.

⁴ tn Or “have a good reputation with”; Grk “have a good testimony from.”

⁵ tn Grk “the ones outside.”

⁶ tn Or “be trapped like the devil was”; Grk “fall into the trap of the devil.” The parallel in 2 Tim 2:26 supports the rendering given in the text.

⁷ tn Or “respectable, honorable, of serious demeanor.”

⁸ tn Or “insincere,” “deceitful”; Grk “speaking double.”

⁹ tn Grk “not devoted to much wine.”

¹⁰ sn The mystery of the faith is a reference to the revealed truths of the Christian faith.