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 recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact. 7And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain, 9holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless.

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 6:3But carefully select from among you, brothers, seven men who are well-attested, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this necessary task.
• Philippians 1:1From Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.
• 1 Timothy 3:4He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity.
• Psalms 5:9For they do not speak the truth; their stomachs are like the place of destruction, their throats like an open grave, their tongues like a steep slope leading into it.
• Psalms 12:2People lie to one another; they flatter and deceive.
• Psalms 50:19You do damage with words, and use your tongue to deceive.
• Psalms 52:2Your tongue carries out your destructive plans; it is as effective as a sharp razor, O deceiver.
• Romans 3:13“Their throats are open graves, they deceive with their tongues, the poison of asps is under their lips.”
• James 3:10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters.
• 1 Timothy 3:3not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money.
• Leviticus 10:9“Do not drink wine or strong drink, you and your sons with you, when you enter into the Meeting Tent, so that you do not die, which is a perpetual statute throughout your generations,
• Ezekiel 44:21No priest may drink wine when 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