1 Timothy 3:8

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

6He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil. 7Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap. Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, 9holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons.

1 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 6:3Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.
• Philippians 1:1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.
• 1 Timothy 3:4He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity.
• Psalms 5:9For there is nothing reliable in what they say; destruction is within them; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongues.
• Psalms 12:2They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and deceptive hearts.
• Psalms 50:19You unleash your mouth for evil and harness your tongue for deceit.
• Psalms 52:2Like a sharpened razor, your tongue devises destruction, working treachery.
• Romans 3:13Their throat is an open grave; they deceive with their tongues. Vipers’ venom is under their lips.
• James 3:10Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.
• 1 Timothy 3:3not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy.
• Leviticus 10:9“You and your sons are not to drink wine or beer when you enter the tent of meeting, or else you will die; this is a permanent statute throughout your generations.
• Ezekiel 44:21No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.

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

• Church
• Commandments
• Deacon
• Minister, Christian
• Temperance

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