1 Timothy 3:8-13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:8-13

We have here the character of deacons: these had the care of the temporal concerns of the church, that is, the maintenance of the ministers and provision for the poor: they served tables, while the ministers or bishops gave themselves only to the ministry of the word and prayer, Acts 6:2, 4. Of the institution of this office, with that which gave occasion to it, you have an account in Acts 6:1-7. Now it was requisite that deacons should have a good character, because they were assistants to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:8-10

3:8-10,12,13 In the same way, the deacons must be men of dignity, men who are straight, men who are not given to over-indulgence in wine, men who are not prepared to stoop to disgraceful ways of making money; they must hold the secret of the faith which has been revealed to them with a clear conscience. The deacons too must first of all be put upon probation, and, if they emerge blameless from the test, let them become deacons.... Deacons must be married only once; they must manage their own... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:11

3:11 In the same way, the women must be dignified; they must not be given to slanderous gossip; they must be sober; they must be in all things reliable. As far as the Greek goes, this could refer to the wives of the deacons, or to women engaged in a similar service. It seems far more likely that it refers to women who are also engaged upon this work of charity. There must have been acts of kindness and of help which only a woman could properly do for another woman. Certainly in the early... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:8

Likewise must the deacons be grave ,.... The apostle proceeds to give the qualifications, and so the rules for choosing another sort of officers in the church, deacons; whose work and business is, not to preach the Gospel, and administer ordinances; but to take care of the secular affairs of the church, and particularly to serve tables; to provide the bread and wine for the Lord's table, to attend at it, and distribute the elements from the minister to the people, to collect for it, defray... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:9

Holding the mystery of the faith ,.... The doctrine of the Gospel, called the "faith", because it contains things to be believed; proposes Christ the object of faith; is the means by which faith comes, and is unprofitable without it: it is called "the mystery", because it is of divine revelation, and could have never been discovered by human reason; and now it is revealed, the modus of many things contained in it remains a mystery; several of the doctrines of it are mysterious ones,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:10

And let these also first be proved ,.... Not that they should be tried in any part of the deacon's office, to see how capable they are of performing it; but their internal and external characters are to be looked into and examined, and if they appear, to be right, then they are to be approved of, chosen and called unto, and invested with the office: then let them use the office of a deacon ; let them be employed and minister in the several parts and branches of that office: being... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:11

Even so must their wives be grave ,.... Some instead of "wives" read "women", and understand them of deaconesses, such as were in the primitive churches; whose business it was to visit the poor and sick sisters of the church, and take care of things belonging to them; but it is better to interpret the words of the wives of the deacons, who must be as their husbands, "grave" in speech, gesture, and dress, of an honest report, a good behaviour, and chaste conversation; which will reflect... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:12

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife ,.... See Gill on 1 Timothy 3:2 . ruling their children and their own houses well . These qualifications are the same with those of the bishop or elder; See Gill on 1 Timothy 3:4 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:13

For they that have used the office of a deacon well ,.... With diligence and faithfulness, with simplicity and cheerfulness; taking good care of the minister and poor, and of the discipline of God's house: purchase to themselves a good degree ; not an higher office, as that of presbytery or episcopacy, which is a sense calculated to serve a hierarchy; nor a degree in glory and happiness hereafter; but rather an increase of gifts and grace; or a degree of respect and honour in the church:... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:8

Likewise must the deacons - The term deacon, διακονος , simply signifies a regular or stated servant: from δια , through or emphatic, and κονεω , to minister or serve. See it explained in the note on Matthew 20:26 . As nearly the same qualifications were required in the deacons as in the bishops, the reader may consult what is said on the preceding verses. Grave - Of a sedate and dignified carriage and conduct. Not double-tongued - Speaking one thing to one person, and... read more

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