1 Timothy 3:1-7

Qualifications for Overseers

¹ The saying is _v trustworthy: If anyone aspires to _w the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. ² Therefore _x an overseer ₁ must be above reproach, _y the husband of one wife, _{2 z} sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, _a hospitable, _b able to teach, ³ not a drunkard, not violent but _c gentle, not quarrelsome, _d not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own household well, with all dignity _e keeping his children submissive, ⁵ for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for _w God's church? ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may _f become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷ Moreover, he must be well thought of by _g outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into _h a snare of the devil.

1. Cross References
   1 Timothy 1:15
   The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
   
2. Cross References
   Acts 20:28
   Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
   
3. Cross References
   Titus 1:6 - 9
   If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
   
4. Cross References
   1 Timothy 5:9
   Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband.
   
5. Cross References
   1 Timothy 3:11
   Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.
   Titus 2:2
   Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.
   
6. Cross References
   1 Peter 4:9
   Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
   
7. Cross References
   2 Timothy 2:24
   And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil.
   
8. Cross References
   Titus 3:2
   To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
   
9. Cross References
   Hebrews 13:5
   Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you.
   1 Timothy 6:10
   For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
   
10. Cross References
    1 Timothy 3:12
    Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
    
11. Cross References
    1 Timothy 3:1
    The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
    
12. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:4
    He is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions.
    2 Timothy 3:4
    Treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.
    
13. Cross References
    Mark 4:11
    And he said to them, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables.
    
14. Cross References
    2 Timothy 2:26
    And they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
    1 Timothy 6:9
    But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.