1 I t is true that if a man wants to be a church leader, he wants to do a good work.

Cette parole est certaine: Si quelqu'un aspire à la charge d'évêque, il désire une oeuvre excellente.

2 A church leader must be a good man. His life must be so no one can say anything against him. He must have only one wife and must be respected for his good living. He must be willing to take people into his home. He must be willing to learn and able to teach the Word of God.

Il faut donc que l'évêque soit irréprochable, mari d'une seul femme, sobre, modéré, réglé dans sa conduite, hospitalier, propre à l'enseignement.

3 H e must not get drunk or want to fight. Instead, he must be gentle. He must not have a love for money.

Il faut qu'il ne soit ni adonné au vin, ni violent, mais indulgent, pacifique, désintéressé.

4 H e should be a good leader in his own home. His children must obey and respect him.

Il faut qu'il dirige bien sa propre maison, et qu'il tienne ses enfants dans la soumission et dans une parfaite honnêteté;

5 I f a man cannot be a good leader in his own home, how can he lead the church?

car si quelqu'un ne sait pas diriger sa propre maison, comment prendra-t-il soin de l'Église de Dieu?

6 A church leader must not be a new Christian. A new Christian might become proud and fall into sin which is brought on by the devil.

Il ne faut pas qu'il soit un nouveau converti, de peur qu'enflé d'orgueil il ne tombe sous le jugement du diable.

7 A church leader must be respected by people who are not Christians so nothing can be said against him. In that way, he will not be trapped by the devil. What the Church Helpers Must Be Like

Il faut aussi qu'il reçoive un bon témoignage de ceux du dehors, afin de ne pas tomber dans l'opprobre et dans les pièges du diable.

8 C hurch helpers must also be good men and act so people will respect them. They must speak the truth. They must not get drunk. They must not have a love for money.

Les diacres aussi doivent être honnêtes, éloignés de la duplicité, des excès du vin, d'un gain sordide,

9 T hey must have their faith in Christ and be His follower with a heart that says they are right.

conservant le mystère de la foi dans une conscience pure.

10 T hey must first be tested to see if they are ready for the work as church helpers. Then if they do well, they may be chosen as church helpers.

Qu'on les éprouve d'abord, et qu'ils exercent ensuite leur ministère, s'ils sont sans reproche.

11 T he wives of church helpers must be careful how they act. They must not carry stories from one person to another. They must be wise and faithful in all they do.

Les femmes, de même, doivent être honnêtes, non médisantes, sobres, fidèles en toutes choses.

12 C hurch helpers must have only one wife. They must lead their home well and their children must obey them.

Les diacres doivent être maris d'une seule femme, et diriger bien leurs enfants et leurs propres maisons;

13 T hose who work well as church helpers will be respected by others and their own faith in Christ Jesus will grow. Why Paul Writes to Timothy

car ceux qui remplissent convenablement leur ministère s'acquièrent un rang honorable, et une grande assurance dans la foi en Jésus Christ.

14 I hope to come to you soon. I am writing these things

Je t'écris ces choses, avec l'espérance d'aller bientôt vers toi,

15 b ecause it may be awhile before I get there. I wanted you to know how you should act among people in the church which is the house of the living God. The church holds up the truth.

mais afin que tu saches, si je tarde, comment il faut se conduire dans la maison de Dieu, qui est l'Église du Dieu vivant, la colonne et l'appui de la vérité.

16 I t is important to know the secret of God-like living, which is: Christ came to earth as a Man. He was pure in His Spirit. He was seen by angels. The nations heard about Him. Men everywhere put their trust in Him. He was taken up into heaven.

Et, sans contredit, le mystère de la piété est grand: celui qui a été manifesté en chair, justifié par l'Esprit, vu des anges, prêché aux Gentils, cru dans le monde, élevé dans la gloire.