1 Timothy 3 | Liberation and Inclusion Translation

¹ This statement is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to providing supervision,^a they desire honorable^b work. ² Therefore, it is necessary for the supervisor^c to be guiltless^d—a one-woman man,^e even-tempered,^f self-disciplined,^g self-regulated,^h welcoming of foreigners,ⁱ skilled at teaching, ³ not abusive,^j not aggressive^k but gentle, never fighting, unmotivated by money, ⁴ leading^l their own household honorably, looking after^m children with cooperationⁿ and with dignity ⁵ (but if someone doesn’t understand leading^o their own household, how will they take care of God’s assembly?) ⁶ It is necessary for them not to be newly planted^p so that they won’t, having been deluded,^q charge blindly into a decision^r of the False Accuser,^s ⁷ and it’s also necessary to have evidence of a good reputation among those outside the assembly^t so that they won’t run into^u an insult and trap of the False Accuser.

⁸ Similarly, it’s necessary for servers^v to be respectable—not duplicitous, not devoting themselves to a lot of wine,^w not intent on dishonest gain, ⁹ and keeping in mind the mystery of faithfulness with sincere attentiveness. ¹⁰ These people should be vetted first, and then if there are no concerns, they should serve.

¹¹ Similarly, it’s necessary for women to be respectable—not prejudiced,^x even-tempered,^y and faithful in everything. ¹² Servers should be one-woman men who lead^z their children and their own households honorably. ¹³ You see, those who serve honorably secure for themselves an honorable status and a lot of freedom to speak regarding faithfulness to Christ Jesus.

¹⁴ I am writing these things to you, even though I hope to come to you soon, ¹⁵ in case I am delayed so that you can know how it is necessary to live as part of God’s household, which is the assembly of the God-Who-Is-Alive, a pillar and support of the truth. ¹⁶ The mystery of respectfulness^aa is admittedly vast:

“He who was clearly shown bodily,
Was considered just by the standard of the Life-breath,
Seen by messengers,^bb
Announced among other peoples,^cc
Trusted throughout the world,
And taken up with renown.^dd

Footnotes

a Traditionally, ‘to the office of bishop’ or ‘to the office of overseer.’ Very literally, it says ‘to oversight’ or ‘to supervision.’ It can also refer to keeping watch over, examining, inspecting, and other senses that may or may not imply authority.
b Traditionally, ‘good’.
c Traditionally, ‘bishop’ or ‘overseer.’
d Traditionally, ‘above reproach.’ The word means having no reason for someone to correct or reproach them.
e Traditionally, ‘a man of one woman.’ Common readings include monogamy, marital faithfulness, or refusing sexual use/exploitation of women; the last seems most likely in context.
f Traditionally, ‘temperate.’
g Traditionally, ‘self-controlled.’ This differs from the Galatians 5 term; it emphasizes mental healthiness and self-regulation of emotions/reactions.
h Traditionally, ‘respectable,’ but the word emphasizes being self-managed; same word as ‘arrange’ in 1 Timothy 2:9.
i Traditionally, ‘hospitable.’
j Traditionally, ‘not given to wine’ / ‘not a drunkard.’ The term often targets disorderly/abusive conduct (even when alcohol is not involved).
k Or ‘violent.’
l Often: stands at the front / takes responsibility for others (not lording it over).
m The word here is echo (“have/hold”) with broad contextual range; it can include taking care of people.
n Traditionally, ‘submission.’ The grammar modifies “looking after,” describing the manner of care toward children; leadership is servant-shaped.
o As in fn-l: stands at the front / takes responsibility for others.
p “Newly planted” is very literal; likely indicates not yet formed in the values/perspective of Christ.
q Traditionally, ‘puffed up with pride.’ The verb tuphoo emphasizes delusion/confusion more than arrogance.
r Traditionally, ‘judgment’/‘condemnation.’ The term can mean decision/ruling; it does not mean “punishment.”
s Traditionally, ‘Devil.’ diabolon means slanderer/false accuser.
t The words ‘the assembly’ are added for clarity; Greek reads “among those outside.”
u Or ‘crash into’ or ‘charge blindly into.’
v Traditionally, ‘deacons’; diakonos means servant/server.
w Traditionally ‘given to much wine.’ The wording conveys devotion/prioritization, not merely drinking.
x This is diabolos, often translated ‘devil’ elsewhere; here it means slanderous / falsely accusing.
y Traditionally, ‘temperate.’
z As in fn-l: stands at the front / takes responsibility for others.
aa Traditionally, ‘godliness.’ eusebeia includes treating people with respect, including toward parents and spouse.
bb angelos means messenger (spirit beings or humans). It’s a job title, not a species; context may allow either reading.
cc Traditionally, ‘Gentiles.’
dd Traditionally, ‘glory.’