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

Es palabra fiel: Si alguno anhela obispado, buena obra desea.

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.

Es, pues, necesario que el obispo sea irreprensible, marido de una sola mujer, sobrio, prudente, ordenado, hospedador, 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 al vino, no pendenciero, no codicioso de ganancias deshonestas, sino amable, apacible, no avaro;

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

que gobierne bien su casa, que tenga a sus hijos en sumisión con toda dignidad

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

(pues el que no sabe gobernar su propia casa, ¿cómo cuidará 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 un neófito, no sea que envaneciéndose caiga en la condenación del 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

Y debe tener buen testimonio de los de afuera, para que no caiga en descrédito y en lazo del diablo. Requisitos de 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.

Los diáconos asimismo deben ser personas respetables, sin doblez de palabra, no dados a mucho vino, no codiciosos de ganancias deshonestas;

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

que guarden 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.

Y éstos también sean sometidos a prueba primero, y entonces ejerzan el diaconado, si son irreprensibles.

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.

Las mujeres asimismo sean 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.

Los diáconos sean maridos de una sola mujer, y que gobiernen bien sus hijos y sus 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

Porque los que han ejercido bien el diaconado, obtienen para sí una posición honrosa, y mucha 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

Esto te escribo, aunque tengo la esperanza de ir pronto a verte,

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.

para que si tardo, sepas cómo debes conducirte en la casa de Dios, que es la iglesia del Dios viviente, columna y baluarte 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: Dios fue manifestado en carne, Justificado en el Espíritu, Visto de los ángeles, Predicado a los gentiles, Creído en el mundo, Recibido arriba en gloria.