1 Timothy Chapter 3
This is a legit vibe; if a dude wants to step up as a bishop, he’s going for a solid hustle.
This {is} a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
A bishop needs to be sharp, true to one partner, observant, chill, bringing good vibes, and ready to drop knowledge.
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; {of good...: or, modest}
No excessive drinking, not about throwing fists, and definitely not chasing that paper; just patient, drama-free, and not greedy.
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; {given...: or, ready to quarrel, and offer wrong, as one in wine}
He should manage his pad well, keeping his kids in check with respect.
One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
If a dude can’t handle his own spot, how’s he gonna manage God’s crew?
(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Not a rookie, or he’ll get all cocky and fall like a total noob.
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. {a novice: or, one newly come to the faith}
Plus, he’s gotta have a solid reputation with outsiders; no one wants to catch heat or get stuck in shady situations.
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Deacons need to be serious, not two-faced, not too into the bottle, and not chasing that cash.
Likewise {must} the deacons {be} grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
They’re holding onto their faith with a clear conscience, no cap.
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
Let these peeps be tested first; then they can roll out as deacons, being all good.
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being {found} blameless.
And the deacon's wives gotta be on point, not gossiping, sober, and faithful in everything.
Even so {must their} wives {be} grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Deacons should have one partner, managing their kids and homes like pros.
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
Those who handle deacon duties well gain a solid rep and confidence in their faith with Jesus.
For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. {used...: or, ministered}
I’m writing this to you, hoping to drop by soon:
These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
But if I’m running late, just know how to act in God's house, which is the church of the living God, the foundation of truth.
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. {ground: or, stay}
And no cap, the mystery of godliness is major: God showed up in the flesh, justified by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed worldwide, and lifted in glory.
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.