Qualifications for Overseers (Bishops)

1

This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.

2

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

3

not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.

4

An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.

5

For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?

6

He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.

7

Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.