1 Timothy 3:8

Translations

Modern

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.

Traditional

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

Literal

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not being given to much wine, not greedy for shameful gain,

Latin

Diaconos similiter pudicos, non bilingues, non multo vino deditos, non turpe lucrum sectantes:

Original

Greek

English

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.

Notes

1 Timothy 3:8

not … 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).

1 Timothy 3:8–13

The 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 6:2–6.

1 Timothy 3:1–13

The topic shifts to church leadership by overseers and deacons (3:1–7; 8–13). Timothy’s role in the appointments is less plain than that of Titus (see 5:17–22; Titus 1:5). This may be because the church in Ephesus was more mature and better able to manage the process (see Acts 6:2–6).

The criteria listed here focus on character rather than function. It partly responds to the local false teachers and their followers. Reading this letter in the churches would make the criteria public and show that the false teachers were not qualified for leadership.

1 Timothy 2:1–3:13

Paul addresses how false teachers influenced behavior in God's household, the church (3:15). Corruption had influenced worship, roles related to gender, and leadership within this community (2:1–15; 3:1–13).

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Church Leaders The Church as a Living, Active Body

Related verses

Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
Acts 6:3–6
Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them
1 Timothy 3:3
…not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.
Titus 2:3
Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good.
1 Timothy 5:23
Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
Leviticus 10:9
“You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting, or else you will die; this is a permanent statute for the generations to come.
James 3:10
Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!
Ezekiel 44:21
No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.
Psalm 12:2
They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
1 Timothy 3:12
A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.
Psalm 52:2
Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit.
Titus 1:7
As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.

1 Timothy 3:8

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