1Ti 3:8-13 | RWP | e4.org | Deacons ( διακονους ). Accusative case of general reference like the preceding with δε εινα understood. Technical sense of the word here as in which see (two classes of church officers, bishops or elders, deacons). Grave ( σεμνους ). See . Repeated in verse ; . Not double-tongued ( μη διλογους ). Rare word ( δισ, λεγω ) saying same thing twice. Xenophon has διλογεω and διλογια . In Pollux, but LXX has διγλωσσος (double-tongued, Latin bilinguis ). Only here in N.T. One placed between two persons and saying one thing to one, another to the other. Like Bunyan's Parson "Mr. Two-Tongues." Not given to much wine ( μη οινω πολλω προσεχοντας ). "Not holding the mind ( τον νουν understood as usual with προσεχω , ) on much wine" ( οινω , dative case). That attitude leads to over-indulgence. Not greedy of filthy lucre ( μη αισχροκερδεις ). Old word from αισχρος ( ) and κερδος ( ). "Making small gains in mean ways" (Parry). Not genuine in verse . In N.T. only here and (of bishops).

‏ 1 Timothy 3:8-13

Deacons ( διακονους ). Accusative case of general reference like the preceding with δε εινα understood. Technical sense of the word here as in Php 1:1 which see (two classes of church officers, bishops or elders, deacons).

Grave ( σεμνους ). See Php 4:8. Repeated in verse 11; Tit 2:2.

Not double-tongued ( μη διλογους ). Rare word ( δισ, λεγω ) saying same thing twice. Xenophon has διλογεω and διλογια. In Pollux, but LXX has διγλωσσος (double-tongued, Latin bilinguis). Only here in N.T. One placed between two persons and saying one thing to one, another to the other. Like Bunyan's Parson "Mr. Two-Tongues."

Not given to much wine ( μη οινω πολλω προσεχοντας ). "Not holding the mind ( τον νουν understood as usual with προσεχω, 1Ti 1:4) on much wine" ( οινω, dative case). That attitude leads to over-indulgence.

Not greedy of filthy lucre ( μη αισχροκερδεις ). Old word from αισχρος (Eph 5:12) and κερδος (Php 1:21). "Making small gains in mean ways" (Parry). Not genuine in verse 3. In N.T. only here and Tit 1:7 (of bishops).

The mystery of the faith ( το μυστηριον της πιστεως ). "The inner secret of the faith," the revelation given in Christ. See for μυστηριον in Paul (2Th 2:7; 1Co 2:7; Ro 16:25; Col 1:26; Eph 3:9).

In a pure conscience ( εν καθαρα συνειδησε ). See 1:19. "The casket in which the jewel is to be kept" (Lock).

First be proved ( δοκιμαζεσθωσαν πρωτον ). Present passive imperative third plural of δοκιμαζω, old and common verb, to test as metals, etc. (1Th 2:4, and often in Paul). How the proposed deacons are to be "first" tested before approved Paul does not say. See Php 1:10 for the two senses (test, approve) of the word.

Let them serve as deacons ( διακονειτωσαν ). Present active imperative of διακονεω (same root as διακονος ), common verb, to minister, here "to serve as deacons." Cf. διακονειν in Ac 6:2. See also verse 13.

If they be blameless ( ανεγκλητο οντες ). "Being blameless" (conditional participle, οντες ). See 1Co 1:8; Col 1:22 for ανεγκλητος.

Women ( γυναικας ). Accusative with δε εινα understood ( οσαυτως, likewise) as in verse 8. Apparently "women as deacons" (Ro 16:1 about Phoebe) and not women in general or just "wives of deacons." See Pliny (Ep. X. 97) ministrae.

Not slanderers ( μη διαβολους ). Original meaning of διαβολος (from διαβαλλω, Lu 16:1), the devil being the chief slanderer (Eph 6:11). "She-devils" in reality (Tit 2:3). "While men are more prone to be διλογους, double-tongued, women are more prone than men to be slanderers" (White).

Faithful in all things ( πιστας εν πασιν ). Perhaps as almoners (Ellicott) the deaconesses had special temptations.

Of one wife ( μιας γυναικος ). At a time as in verse 2.

Ruling well ( προισταμενο καλως ). As in 4.

Gain to themselves ( εαυτοις περιποιουντα ). Present middle indicative of περιποιεω, old verb, to make besides ( περ, around, over), to lay by. Reflexive (indirect) middle with reflexive pronoun ( εαυτοις ) repeated as often happens in the Koine. In N.T. only here, Lu 17:33; Ac 20:28 (Paul also, quoting Isa 43:21).

A good standing ( βαθμον καλον ). Late word from βαινω, in LXX for steps at a door (1Sa 5:5). In plural the steps of a stair. In the inscriptions it means a good foothold or standing. The ecclesiastical writers (Theodoret) take it to be a higher grade or rank, but it is doubtful if Paul means that here.

Much boldness ( πολλην παρρησιαν ). A Pauline phrase (2Co 3:12; 7:4; Php 1:20).

In the faith which is in Christ Jesus ( εν πιστε τη εν Χριστω Ιησου ). Pauline phrase again (Ac 26:18; Ga 3:26; Col 1:4; Eph 1:15; 2Ti 1:13; 3:15).