Kenneth S. Wuest, The New Testament: An Expanded Translation (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1961), 493, 494.

1st TIMOTHY 2:8-3:16 in the Wuest expanded translation

I desire, therefore, that the men [definite article before "men" and distinctive word for a male individual designating the man as leader and in authority in the church] be praying in every place, lifting up holy hands without anger or skeptical criticism. Likewise, I desire that women be adorning themselves in apparel that is fitting [to their sex and to their position as Christians], having along with this, modesty and sober-mindedness; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or very costly garments, but with that which is fitting for a woman professing godliness, adorning themselves by means of good works. Let a woman be learning in silence with every subjection. Moreover, I do not permit a woman to be a teacher [in an official position exercising authority over the man in matters of Church doctrine or discipline], neither to exercise authority over a man, but to be in silence, for Adam first was molded, then Eve, and Adam was not deceived, but the woman, having been completely hoodwinked, has fallen into transgression. Yet she shall be saved [in the sense of sanctifying, salutary influences in her spiritual life through the pains of childbirth] in her childbearing if they continue in faith and love and holiness accompanied by sober-mindedness.

This is a trustworthy word. If a certain one is seeking the office of an overseer, he passionately desires a good work. It is necessary in the nature of the case, therefore, that the overseer be irreproachable, a one-wife kind of a man [that is, married only once], calm, dispassionate and circumspect, sober-minded, one whose life is in accord with the position he holds and which is an adornment to it, hospitable, a skilled teacher, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious but sweetly reasonable, being satisfied with less than his due, not contentious, not a lover of money, presiding over his own household in a beautiful manner, holding children within the sphere of implicit obedience, doing so with the strictest regard to propriety. Indeed, if a person does not know how to preside over his own household, how is it possible that he take care of God’s assembly? [He must] not [be] a new convert, lest having his mind blinded by pride, he fall into the judgment of the devil. Moreover, it is a necessity in the nature of the case for him also to be having an excellent testimony from those on the outside, lest he fall into reproach and into the snare of the devil.

Deacons, in like manner [should] be grave and dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy of gain, holding the mystery of the Faith in a pure conscience. And these moreover are to be first put to the test for the purpose of being approved, and then approved if they meet the specifications; then let them be serving as deacons, provided they are unaccused. Women, likewise [should be] grave and dignified, not slanderers, calm, dispassionate, and circumspect, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be one-wife sort of men [that is, married only once], ruling their children and their own households in a commendable way, for those who have ministered in the office of a deacon in a commendable manner acquire a good standing for themselves and much confidence in the sphere of faith which is in Christ Jesus.

These things to you I am writing, hoping to come to you quickly, but if I delay, in order that you may know how it is necessary in the nature of the case for men to be conducting themselves in God’s house which is of such a nature as to be the living God’s assembly, a pillar and support of the truth. And confessedly, great is the mystery of godliness; who [Christ Jesus, v. 13] was made visible in the sphere of flesh [His humanity], vindicated in the sphere of spirit [as to His deity], seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

The Web of Practical Theology is committed to the inerrancy and infallibility of the 39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament books of the Christian Scriptures. We believe "Theology is Practical."

  • "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1 Timothy 4:16

  • "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

  • "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:3-4

  • "He [an overseer] must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." Titus 1:9

  • "You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine." Titus 2:1

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