1, This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2, A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3, Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4, One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5, (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6, Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7, Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
12, Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13, Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14, Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15, Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16, Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. |
