God’s Word Translation
1 Timothy 3:12
12A deacon must have only one wife. Deacons must manage their children and their families well.
1 Timothy 3:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
- New International Version (NIV)A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
Context of 1 Timothy 3:12
10First, a person must be evaluated. Then, if he has a good reputation, he may become a deacon. 11Their wives must also be of good character. They must not be gossips, but they must control their tempers and be trustworthy in every way. A deacon must have only one wife. Deacons must manage their children and their families well. 13Those deacons who serve well gain an excellent reputation and will have confidence as a result of their faith in Christ Jesus. 14I hope to visit you soon. However, I’m writing this to you
Read all of 1 Timothy 31 Timothy 3:12 word by word
διάκονοι ἔστωσαν μιᾶς γυναικὸς ἄνδρες, τέκνων καλῶς προϊστάμενοι καὶ τῶν ἰδίων οἴκων.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Letεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- the deaconsδιάκονοςdiakonos · servantG1249
- the husbandsἀνήρanēr · man: husbandG435
- of oneεἷςheis · oneG1520
- wifeγυνήgunē · woman: wifeG1135
- rulingπροΐστημιproistēmi · to set beforeG4291
- their childrenτέκνονteknon · childG5043
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- their ownἴδιοςidios · one's own/privateG2398
- housesοἶκοςoikos · house: householdG3624
- wellκαλῶςkalōs · wellG2573
Cross-references for 1 Timothy 3:12
Commentaries on 1 Timothy 3:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife - This is the same that is required of the bishops. See on 1 Timothy 3:2; (note) 1 Timothy 3:4; (note), and 1 Timothy 3:5; (note).Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife - notes, 1 Timothy 3:2. Ruling their children and their own houses well - notes, 1 Timothy 3:4-5.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. 1212. husbands of one wife--(See on 1Ti 3:2). ruling their children--There is no article in the Greek, "ruling children"; implying that he regarded the having children to rule as a qualification (1Ti 3:4; Tit 1:6). their own houses--as distinguished from "the Church of God" (see on 1Ti 3:5). In the case of the deacons, as in that of the bishops, he mentions the first condition of receiving office, rather than the special qualifications for its discharge…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Timothy 3:12
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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