1 Timothy 2 & 3 NLT ~ Instructions concerning Church Administration (chs. 2-3)

1 Timothy 2 NLT

1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 

2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 

3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 

4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 

5 For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 

6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. 

7 And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth. 

8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. 

9 And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. 

10 For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do. 

11 Women should learn quietly and submissively. 

12 I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. 

13 For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. 

14 And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result. 

15 But women will be saved through childbearing, assuming they continue to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty.

1 Timothy 3 NLT

1 This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position.” 

2 So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. 

3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. 

4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him.

5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? 

6 An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. 

7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap. 

8 In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. 

9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. 

10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons. 

11 In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do. 

12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. 

13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus. 

14 I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, 

15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth. 

16 Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith : Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.