Qualifications for Overseers (Titus 1:5–9; 1 Peter 5:1–4)
1 WBS This is a true saying, If a man desireth the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. BSB BSB: This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.
2 WBS A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; BSB BSB: An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 WBS Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient; not a brawler, not covetous; BSB BSB: not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.
4 WBS One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; BSB BSB: An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.
5 WBS (For if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) BSB BSB: For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?
6 WBS Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. BSB BSB: He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.
7 WBS Moreover, he must have a good report of them who are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. BSB BSB: Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
Qualifications for Deacons (Acts 6:1–7)
8 WBS Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre, BSB BSB: Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.
9 WBS Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. BSB BSB: They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 WBS And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. BSB BSB: Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.
11 WBS Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. BSB BSB: In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.
12 WBS Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children, and their own houses well. BSB BSB: A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.
13 WBS 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. BSB BSB: For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness 14 WBS These things I write to thee, hoping to come to thee shortly: BSB BSB: Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things
15 WBS 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. BSB BSB: in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 WBS And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. BSB BSB: By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.