1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was to set in order the remaining matters and to appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 1:6 An elder must be blameless, 2 the husband of one wife, 3 with faithful children 4 who cannot be charged with dissipation or rebellion.
1 tn Grk “before eternal ages.”
2 tn Grk “if anyone is blameless…” as a continuation of v. 5b, beginning to describe the elder’s character.
3 tn Or “married only once,” “devoted solely to his wife.” See the note on “wife” in 1 Tim 3:2; also 1 Tim 3:12; 5:9.
4 tn Or “believing children.” The phrase could be translated “believing children,” but the parallel with 1 Tim 3:4 (“keeping his children in control”) argues for the sense given in the translation.