1 Timothy 3 - Easy To Read Version

¹ What I say is true: If any person is trying hard to become an elder, {\cf2\super [9]} that person is wanting a good work.

² An elder {\cf2\super [10]} must be good enough that people cannot rightly criticize him. He must have only one wife. An elder must have self-control and be wise. He must be respected by other people. He must be ready to help people by accepting them into his home. He must be a good teacher.

³ He must not drink too much wine, and he must not be a person who likes to fight. He must be gentle and peaceful. He must not be a person who loves money.

⁴ He must be a good leader of his own family. This means that his children obey him with full respect.

⁵ (If a man does not know how to be a leader over his own family, then he will not be able to take care of God’s church.)

⁶ But an elder must not be a new believer. It might make a new believer be too proud of himself \{if he were made an elder\}. Then he would be judged (condemned) for his pride the same as the devil was.

⁷ An elder must also have the respect of people who are not in the church. Then he will not be criticized by other people and be caught in the devil’s trap.

⁸ In the same way, the men who serve as special helpers {\cf2\super [11]} must be men that people can respect. These men must not say things they don’t mean, and they must not use their time drinking too much wine. They must not be men who are always trying to get rich by cheating others.

⁹ They must follow the faith (truth) that God made known to us and always do what they know is right.

¹⁰ You should test those men first. If you find nothing wrong in them, then they can serve as special helpers.

¹¹ In the same way, the women {\cf2\super [12]} must have the respect of other people. They must not be women who talk evil about other people. They must have self-control and be women who can be trusted in everything.

¹² The men who serve as special helpers must have only one wife. They must be good leaders of their children and their own families.

¹³ Those persons who serve in a good way are making an honorable place for themselves. And they will feel very sure of their faith in Christ Jesus.

¹⁴ I hope I can come to you soon. But I am writing these things to you now.

¹⁵ Then, even if I cannot come soon, you will know about the things that people must do in the family {\cf2\super [13]} of God. That family is the church of the living God. And God’s church is the support and foundation of the truth.

¹⁶ Without any doubt, the secret of our life of worship is great: