1:8a
Instead: This conjunction indicates a contrast. The contrast is between verse 7 and verse 8. In 1:7b–d, Paul gave five ways church leaders should not act. In verse 8 he lists six ways they should act. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the conjunction Instead.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
Rather (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
But (English Standard Version)
In some languages it is necessary to begin verse 8 with a short sentence like:
No, they should not be like this. Instead…
he must be hospitable: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as he must be hospitable is more literally just “hospitable.” The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the verb phrase he must be in order to translate verse 8 as a separate sentence.
The Greek word meaning hospitable comes from root words meaning “friendly, loving” and “stranger, outsider.” A church leader must be a person who is happy to welcome people from outside his family into his home as guests.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
He must be friendly to strangers
-or-
He must be ready to welcome guests
If you have been referring to the church leaders in the plural, continue to do so here. For example:
Overseers must be ready to welcome guests (New Century Version)
See also the notes on 1 Timothy 3:2d, where the same word hospitable is used. Translate it the same way in both verses.
1:8b
a lover of good: This phrase indicates that a church leader must be someone who is happy to do what is right and good. Again, Paul was speaking of church leaders in general, and in some languages it may be more natural to use the plural.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
and enjoy doing good things (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
devoted to what is good (NET Bible)
-or-
full of love for whatever is good
In some languages it may be natural to translate this as a clause or sentence. For example:
He must love what is good. (New International Reader’s Version)
-or-
Overseers must…love what is good. (New Century Version)
1:8c
self-controlled: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as self-controlled describes a person who is sensible, thoughtful, or prudent. He is in control of himself and so is able to act wisely, calmly, and appropriately in every situation.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
able to control himself (SSA)
-or-
he/they must behave in a sensible manner
This word also occurs in 1 Timothy 3:2c. See how you translated it there. If it is possible and natural, translate it the same way here.
upright: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as upright means “righteous” or “just.” A church leader must behave toward other people in a way that is fair and just.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
must live right (English Easy-to-Read Version)
-or-
he/they must do what is just
1:8d
holy: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as holy means “pure” and “wholly devoted to God.” It describes something or someone as being separated to God, set apart for God’s use.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
His ways must be pure.
-or-
His heart must be dedicated to God.
disciplined: This word describes a person who can control his desires and actions. He does things in moderation and not to excess. Here are some other ways to translate this word:
he must control his own desires and actions
-or-
he must be able to control himself
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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.