1 Timothy 3:10

1 Timothy 3:10 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
• New International Version (NIV)They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.

Context of 1 Timothy 3:10

8Deacons likewise must be men worthy of respect [honorable, financially ethical, of good character], not double-tongued [speakers of half-truths], not addicted to wine, not greedy for dishonest gain, 9but upholding and fully understanding the mystery [that is, the true doctrine] of the [Christian] faith with a clear conscience [resulting from behavior consistent with spiritual maturity]. These men must first be tested; then if they are found to be blameless and beyond reproach [in their Christian lives], let them serve as deacons. 11Women must likewise be worthy of respect, not malicious gossips, but self-controlled, [thoroughly] trustworthy in all things. 12Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.

1 Timothy 3:10 word by word

καὶ οὗτοι δὲ δοκιμαζέσθωσαν πρῶτον, εἶτα διακονείτωσαν ἀνέγκλητοι ὄντες.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andδέde · thenG1161
• letδοκιμάζωdokimazō · to testG1381
• theseοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• firstπρῶτονprōton · firstG4412
• thenεἶταeita · thenG1534
• let them use the office of a deaconδιακονέωdiakoneō · to serveG1247
• beingεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• blamelessἀνέγκλητοςanegklētos · irreproachableG410

Cross-references for 1 Timothy 3:10

• 1 Timothy 3:6and He must not be a new convert, so that he will not [behave stupidly and] become conceited [by appointment to this high office] and fall into the [same] condemnation incurred by the devil [for his arrogance and pride].
• 1 Timothy 5:22Do not hurry to lay hands on anyone [ordaining and approving someone for ministry or an office in the church, or in reinstating expelled offenders], and thereby share in the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.
• 1 John 4:1Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world.
• 1 Timothy 3:13For those who have served well as deacons gain a high standing [having a good reputation among the congregation], and great confidence in the faith which is [founded on and centered] in Christ Jesus.
• Acts 6:1Now about this time, when the number of disciples was increasing, a complaint was made by the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews) against the [native] Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.
• 1 Timothy 3:2Now an overseer must be blameless and beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
• 1 Corinthians 1:8And He will also confirm you to the end [keeping you strong and free of any accusation, so that you will be] blameless and beyond reproach in the day [of the return] of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Colossians 1:22yet Christ has now reconciled you [to God] in His physical body through death, in order to present you before the Father holy and blameless and beyond reproach—

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 3:10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10Let these - be proved - Let them not be young converts, or persons lately brought to the knowledge of the truth. This is the same in spirit with what is required of the bishops, 1 Timothy 3:6. Let no man be put into an office in the Church till he has given full proof of his sincerity and steadiness, by having been for a considerable time a consistent private member of the Church. Being found blameless - · Being irreproachable; persons against whom no…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 10And let these also first be proved - That is, tried or tested in regard to the things which were the proper qualifications for the office. This does not mean that they were to be employed as “preachers,” but that they were to undergo a proper trial in regard to their fitness for the office which they were to fill. They were not to be put into it without any opportunity of knowing what they were. It should be ascertained that they were grave, serious…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-13Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8-13The Greek word for deacon means "servant, assistant, messenger, or agent." Its related words mean "service" or "to serve" and often refer to any kind of service (for example, 4:6; Matthew 22:13; John 2:5; 12:26; Romans 13:4; 1 Corinthians 3:5). When plainly referring to a church office, it appears only in 1 Timothy 3:8–13; Philippians 1:1; and possibly Romans 16:1. Here the passage focuses on character rather than activities. See also study note on Acts…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1010. "And moreover," &c. [Alford]. be proved--not by a period of probation, but by a searching inquiry, conducted by Timothy, the ordaining president (1Ti 5:22), whether they be "blameless"; then when found so, "let them act as deacons." blameless--Greek, "unexceptionable"; as the result of public investigation unaccused [Tittmann].Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Timothy 3:10

• Church
• Commandments
• Deacon
• Diligence
• Minister, Christian

In the dictionaries

• Bishop
• Blameless
• Controversy
• Covetous
• Deacon
• Degree
• Hospitality
• Mystery
• Novice
• Rule

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings