The Mystery of Godliness

Paul writes: This is a faithful saying: someone who seeks to be an overseer desires a good work. Then he describes the character such a leader must have. The overseer must be someone no one can rightly blame, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, and good at teaching. He must not be a drinker, violent, or greedy for money, but gentle and not quarrelsome. He must rule his own house well, with his children respectful.

Paul explains, for how could someone who doesn't know how to rule his own house take care of God's assembly? The overseer must not be a new convert, so that he does not become proud. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so he does not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.

Paul then describes servants in the church. They must be reverent, honest in speech, not addicted to wine, and not greedy, holding the faith with a pure conscience. They should first be tested. Their wives must also be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, and faithful in all things. Faithful servants earn a good standing and grow bold in their faith. Paul says he writes so that Timothy may know how men ought to behave themselves in God's house, which is the assembly of the living God. He closes by praising the great mystery of godliness: God was revealed in the flesh, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.