1 Timothy 3:8

Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money;

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money,

BSB

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.

KJV

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

ASV

Deacons in like manner [must be] grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

BBE

Deacons, in the same way, are to be serious in their behaviour, not false in word, not given to taking much wine or greatly desiring the wealth of this world;

Original Greek

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Διακόνους Diakonous Deacons G1249 ὡσαύτως hōsautōs likewise G5615 σεμνούς semnous [must be] dignified G4586 μὴ mē not G3361 διλόγους dilogous double-tongued G1351 μὴ mē not G3361 οἴνῳ oinō to wine G3631 πολλῷ pollō much G4183 προσέχοντας prosechontas being given G4337 μὴ mē not G3361 αἰσχροκερδεῖς aischrokerdeis greedy of dishonest gain G146

The early church

Discoursing of Bishops, and having described their character, and the qualities which they ought to possess, and having passed over the order of Presbyters, he proceeds to that of Deacons. The reason of this omission was, that between Presbyters and Bishops there was no great difference. Both had undertaken the office of Teachers and Presidents in the Church, and what he has said concerning Bishops is applicable to Presbyters. For they are only superior in having the power of ordination, and seem to have no other advantage over Presbyters. "Likewise the Deacons." That is, they should have the same qualities as Bishops. And what are these same? To be blameless, sober, hospitable, patient, not brawlers, not covetous. And that he means this when he says "likewise," is evident from what he says in addition, "grave, not doubletongued"; that is, not hollow or deceitful. For nothing so debases a man as deceit, nothing is so pernicious in the Church as insincerity. "Not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience." Thus he explains what he means by "blameless."
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Timothy

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 8–13

The deacons were at first appointed to distribute the charity of the church, and to manage its concerns, yet pastors and evangelists were among them. The deacons had a great trust reposed in them. They must be grave, serious, prudent men. It is not fit that public trusts should be lodged in the hands of any, till they are found fit for the business with which they are to be trusted. All who are related to ministers, must take great care to walk as becomes the gospel of Christ.

Read Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 3 →

Cross-references

16

Topics

TemperanceDeacon

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.