Amplified Bible
1 Timothy 3:8
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,
1 Timothy 3:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
- New International Version (NIV)In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money,
Context of 1 Timothy 3:8
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]. 7And he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside the church, so that he will not be discredited and fall into the devil’s trap. Deacons 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]. 10These 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.
Read all of 1 Timothy 31 Timothy 3:8 word by word
Διακόνους ὡσαύτως σεμνούς, μὴ διλόγους, μὴ οἴνῳ πολλῷ προσέχοντας, μὴ αἰσχροκερδεῖς,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Likewiseὡσαύτωςhōsautōs · likewiseG5615
- the deaconsδιάκονοςdiakonos · servantG1249
- graveσεμνόςsemnos · nobleG4586
- notμήmē · notG3361
- doubletonguedδίλογοςdilogos · insincereG1351
- given toπροσέχωprosechō · to watch outG4337
- muchπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
- wineοἶνοςoinos · wineG3631
- greedy of filthy lucreαἰσχροκερδήςaischrokerdēs · greedyG146
Cross-references for 1 Timothy 3:8
- Acts 6:3Therefore, brothers, choose from among you seven men with good reputations [men of godly character and moral integrity], full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.
- Philippians 1:1Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed), To all the saints (God’s people) in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:
- 1 Timothy 3:4He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity [keeping them respectful and well-behaved]
- Psalms 5:9For there is nothing trustworthy or reliable or truthful in what they say; Their heart is destruction [just a treacherous chasm, a yawning gulf of lies]. Their throat is an open grave; They [glibly] flatter with their [silken] tongue.
- Psalms 12:2They speak deceitful and worthless words to one another; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
- Psalms 50:19You give your mouth to evil And your tongue frames deceit.
- Psalms 52:2Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
- Romans 3:13“Their throat is an open grave; They [habitually] deceive with their tongues.” “The venom of asps is beneath their lips.”
- James 3:10Out of the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. These things, my brothers, should not be this way [for we have a moral obligation to speak in a manner that reflects our fear of God and profound respect for His precepts].
- 1 Timothy 3:3not addicted to wine, not a bully nor quick-tempered and hot-headed, but gentle and considerate, free from the love of money [not greedy for wealth and its inherent power—financially ethical].
- Leviticus 10:9“Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the Tent of Meeting, so that you will not die—it is a permanent statute throughout your generations—
- Ezekiel 44:21Nor shall any priest drink wine when he enters the inner courtyard.
Commentaries on 1 Timothy 3:8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8Likewise must the deacons - The term deacon, , simply signifies a regular or stated servant: from , through or emphatic, and , 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 the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8Likewise must the deacons - On the meaning of the word “deacons,” see the notes on Philemon 1:1. On their appointment, see the notes, Acts 6:1. The word here evidently denotes those who had charge of the temporal affairs of the church, the poor, etc. No qualifications are mentioned, implying that they were to be preachers of the gospel. In most respects, except in regard to preaching, their qualifications were to be the same as those of the “bishops.” Be…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. 8not … greedy for money (3:3): Self-centered desire shows poor character (6:6–10, 17–19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5). This is especially true for church leaders (1 Timothy 3:9; see Titus 1:7).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. The deacons were chosen by the voice of the people. Cyprian [Epistle, 2.5] says that good bishops never departed from the old custom of consulting the people. The deacons answer to the chazzan of the synagogue: the attendant ministers, or subordinate coadjutors of the presbyter (as Timothy himself was to Paul, 1Ti 4:6; Phm 13; and John Mark, Ac 13:5). Their duty was to read the Scriptures in the Church, to instruct the catechumens in Christian truths…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Timothy 3:8
In the dictionaries
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
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