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

Palabra fiel es ésta: si alguien aspira al cargo de obispo (supervisor), buena obra desea hacer.

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.

Un obispo debe ser, pues, irreprochable, marido de una sola mujer, sobrio, prudente, de conducta decorosa, hospitalario, apto para enseñar,

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

no dado a la bebida, no pendenciero, sino amable, no contencioso, no avaricioso.

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

Que gobierne bien su casa, teniendo a sus hijos sujetos con toda dignidad;

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

(pues si un hombre no sabe cómo gobernar su propia casa, ¿cómo podrá cuidar de la iglesia de Dios ?)

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.

No debe ser un recién convertido, no sea que se envanezca y caiga en la condenación en que cayó el diablo.

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

Debe gozar también de una buena reputación entre los de afuera de la iglesia, para que no caiga en descrédito y en el lazo del diablo. Requisitos para los Diáconos

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.

De la misma manera, también los diáconos deben ser dignos, de una sola palabra, no dados al mucho vino, ni amantes de ganancias deshonestas,

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

sino guardando el misterio de la fe con limpia conciencia.

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.

Que también éstos sean sometidos a prueba primero, y si son irreprensibles, que entonces sirvan como diáconos.

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.

De igual manera, las mujeres (diaconisas) deben ser dignas, no calumniadoras, sino sobrias, fieles en todo.

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

Que los diáconos sean maridos de una sola mujer, y que gobiernen bien sus hijos y sus propias casas.

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

Pues los que han servido bien como diáconos obtienen para sí una posición honrosa y gran confianza en la fe que es en Cristo Jesús. El Misterio de la Piedad

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

Te escribo estas cosas, esperando ir a verte pronto,

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.

pero en caso que me tarde, te escribo para que sepas cómo debe conducirse uno en la casa de Dios, que es la iglesia del Dios vivo, columna y sostén de la verdad.

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.

E indiscutiblemente, grande es el misterio de la piedad: El fue manifestado en la carne, Vindicado (Justificado) en el Espíritu, Contemplado por ángeles, Proclamado entre las naciones, Creído en el mundo, Recibido arriba en gloria.