Focused Passage

1 Timothy 3:8-13

Qualified Leadership and Conduct in the Household of God

Paul moves from overseer qualifications, to deacon qualifications, to the theological reason for ordered church conduct: the church is God's household, the pillar and foundation of the truth, confessing the mystery of Christ.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

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

9 They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

10 Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.

11 In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.

12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.

13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 8

Cross-references

Acts 6 BSB references 1 Peter 5:2 Classic cross-references Philippians 1:1 Classic cross-references 1 Timothy 3:3 Classic cross-references 1 Timothy 5:23 Classic cross-references Acts 6:3 Classic cross-references

Original words

Deacons Διακόνους G1249 Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural likewise ὡσαύτως G5615 Adverb [must be] dignified σεμνούς G4586 Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural not μὴ G3361 Adverb double-tongued διλόγους G1351 Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural [or] μὴ G3361 Adverb given προσέχοντας G4337 Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural to much πολλῷ G4183 Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular wine οἴνῳ G3631 Noun - Dative Masculine Singular [or] μὴ G3361 Adverb greedy for money αἰσχροκερδεῖς G146 Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural

Verse 9

Cross-references

1 Corinthians 4:1 Classic cross-references 1 Timothy 1:19 Classic cross-references 1 Timothy 3:16 Classic cross-references 1 Timothy 1:5 Classic cross-references 2 John 1:9 Classic cross-references

Original words

They must hold ἔχοντας G2192 Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural to the τὸ G3588 Article - Accusative Neuter Singular mystery μυστήριον G3466 Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular of the τῆς G3588 Article - Genitive Feminine Singular faith πίστεως G4102 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular with ἐν G1722 Preposition a clear καθαρᾷ G2513 Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular conscience συνειδήσει G4893 Noun - Dative Feminine Singular

Verse 10

Cross-references

1 Timothy 5:22 Classic cross-references 1 Timothy 3:2 Classic cross-references Philippians 1:1 Classic cross-references Philippians 2:15 Classic cross-references 1 Timothy 3:13 Classic cross-references

Original words

Additionally καὶ G2532 Conjunction . . . δὲ G1161 Conjunction they οὗτοι G3778 Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural must first be tested δοκιμαζέσθωσαν G1381 Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural . . . πρῶτον G4412 Adverb - Superlative Then εἶτα G1534 Adverb if they are ὄντες G1510 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural above reproach ἀνέγκλητοι G410 Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural let them serve as deacons διακονείτωσαν G1247 Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Plural

Verse 11

Cross-references

Titus 2:3 Classic cross-references 1 Peter 5:8 Classic cross-references Galatians 5:22 Classic cross-references Titus 2:2 Classic cross-references 1 Peter 2:1 Classic cross-references

Original words

In the same way ὡσαύτως G5615 Adverb [the] women Γυναῖκας G1135 Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural [must be] dignified σεμνάς G4586 Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural not μὴ G3361 Adverb slanderers διαβόλους G1228 Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural [but] temperate νηφαλίους G3524 Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural [and] faithful πιστὰς G4103 Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural in ἐν G1722 Preposition all things πᾶσιν G3956 Adjective - Dative Neuter Plural

BSB notes

Or their wives

Verse 12

Cross-references

Genesis 18:19 Classic cross-references Hebrews 13:4 Classic cross-references 1 Timothy 3:2 Classic cross-references 1 Timothy 3:4 Classic cross-references Titus 1:6 Classic cross-references

Original words

A deacon Διάκονοι G1249 Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural must be ἔστωσαν G1510 Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Plural [the] husband ἄνδρες G435 Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural of but one μιᾶς G1520 Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular wife γυναικὸς G1135 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular a good καλῶς G2573 Adverb manager προϊστάμενοι G4291 Verb - Present Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural [of his] children τέκνων G5043 Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural and καὶ G2532 Conjunction [of his] τῶν G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Plural own ἰδίων G2398 Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural household οἴκων G3624 Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural

Verse 13

Cross-references

Acts 6:8 Classic cross-references Matthew 25:21 Classic cross-references Hebrews 6:10 Classic cross-references 1 Timothy 3:10 Classic cross-references

Original words

For γὰρ G1063 Conjunction those who οἱ G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Plural have served διακονήσαντες G1247 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural well [as deacons] καλῶς G2573 Adverb acquire περιποιοῦνται G4046 Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural for themselves ἑαυτοῖς G1438 Reflexive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural a high καλὸν G2570 Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular standing βαθμὸν G898 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction great πολλὴν G4183 Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular confidence παρρησίαν G3954 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular in ἐν G1722 Preposition [the] faith πίστει G4102 Noun - Dative Feminine Singular that [is] τῇ G3588 Article - Dative Feminine Singular in ἐν G1722 Preposition Christ Χριστῷ G5547 Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Jesus Ἰησοῦ G2424 Noun - Dative Masculine Singular

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