Chapter 3

This saying is true: If anyone is eager for the office of bishop, he desires a good work.

A bishop then, must be blameless, married but once, reserved, prudent, of good conduct, hospitable, a teacher,

not a drinker or a brawler, but moderate, not quarrelsome, not avaricious.

He should rule well his own household, keeping his children under control and perfectly respectful.

For if a man cannot rule his own household, how is he to take care of the church of God?

He must not be a new convert, lest he be puffed up with pride and incur the condemnation passed on the devil.

Besides this he must have a good reputation with those who are outside, that he may not fall into disgrace and into a snare of the devil. Qualities of a Deacon

Deacons also must be honorable, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for base gain,

but holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience.

And let them first be tried, and if found without reproach let them be allowed to serve.

In like manner let the women be honorable, not slanderers, but reserved, faithful in all things.

Deacons should be men who have been married but once, ruling well their children and their own households.

And those who have fulfilled well this office will acquire a good position and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. Pillar and Mainstay of the Truth

I write these things to thee hoping to come to thee shortly,

but in order that thou mayest know, if I am delayed, how to conduct thyself in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and mainstay of the truth.

And obviously great is the mystery of godliness: which was manifested in the flesh, was justified in the spirit, appeared to angels, was preached to Gentiles, believed in the world, taken up in glory.