1 Timothy 3:8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.

◄ 1 Timothy 3:8 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
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
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.

New American Standard Bible
Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money,

International Standard Version
Ministers, too, must be serious. They must not be two-faced, addicted to wine, or greedy for money.

American Standard Version
Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

Douay-Rheims Bible
Deacons in like manner chaste, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre:

Darby Bible Translation
Ministers, in like manner, grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not seeking gain by base means,

Young's Literal Translation
Ministrants -- in like manner grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not given to filthy lucre,

Cross References

Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

1 Timothy 3:2
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

1 Timothy 3:3
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

1 Timothy 3:12
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

1 Timothy 5:23
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your often infirmities.

Titus 1:7
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

Titus 2:3
The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becomes holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

1 Peter 5:2
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

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Addicted Base Behaviour Deacons Demeanour Desiring Dignity Dishonest False. Filthy Fond Gain Grave Greatly Greedy Indulging Likewise Manner Ministers Money Pursuing Respect Reverent Seeking Serious Servants Sincere Sordid Way Wealth Wine Word World Worthy

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

3:8-13 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 walk as becomes the gospel of Christ.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

8. 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, to assist the presbyters at the sacraments, to receive oblations, and to preach and instruct. As the "chazzan" covered and uncovered the ark in the synagogue, containing the law, so the deacon in the ancient Church put the covering on the communion table. (See Chrysostom [19], Homily on Acts; Theophylact on Luke 19; and Balsaman on Canon 22, Council of Laodicea). The appointing of "the seven" in Ac 6:1-7 is perhaps not meant to describe the first appointment of the deacons of the Church. At least the chazzan previously suggested the similar order of deacons.

double-tongued—literally, "of double speech"; saying one thing to this person, and another to that person [Theodoret]. The extensive personal intercourse that deacons would have with the members of the Church might prove a temptation to such a fault. Others explain it, "Saying one thing, thinking another" (Pr 20:19; Ga 2:13). I prefer the former.

not greedy of filthy lucre—All gain is filthy (literally, "base") which is set before a man as a by-end in his work for God [Alford] (1Pe 5:2). The deacon's office of collecting and distributing alms would render this a necessary qualification.