1. The Word is faithful, If anyone desires the office of a bishop, {to be a pastor or elder in the congregation}, he desires a difficult ministry.
2. It is expedient, therefore, that the bishop be blameless, the husband of only one wife, vigilant, temperate, of worldly affections mortified, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3. not given to wine, not hurtful, not greedy of dishonest gain, but gentle, not contentious, not covetous;
4. one that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all integrity;
5. (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} of God?)
6. not a novice, lest being puffed up, he fall into judgment of the devil.
7. Moreover he must have a good report of those who are outside lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8. Likewise the deacons must be honest, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of dishonest gain;