Paragraph 3:8–13

In 3:1–7 Paul told Timothy the sort of people who ought to be overseers. In the following verses, Paul described the sort of people who should be deacons. Many of these qualifications are similar to those for overseers.

3:8a

Deacons: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Deacons normally means “servants.” But in this verse it refers to believers who had a special job within the community of believers. Deacons basically took care of special needs of believers. For example, one of their tasks was to care for the widows.

Most English versions translate the word as “deacons,” but the Good News Translation says “church helpers.” You should choose a term that is suitable in your culture for such a leadership job.

likewise: Paul had given a list of qualifications for overseers in 3:1–7. He was now going to list the qualifications for deacons.(3:8–13). In some languages it may be enough to use the word “also.”

dignified: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as dignified is a general word. It means that a deacon must behave in a way that deserves respect from other people. That is, other people will esteem and honor him because he has earned that respect by the way he behaves.

not double-tongued: The Greek term that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as not double-tongued means “sincere.” Another way to express this is:

not saying things they do not mean (New Century Version)

3:8b

or given to much wine: Just as an overseer should not be “dependent on wine” (3:3a), Paul said that deacons should not be “given to much wine.” This means the same thing—any leader among believers must not get drunk.

wine: The word wine refers to a drink made from grapes. It is fermented and therefore alcoholic. During the time when Paul wrote this letter, people normally drank wine with their meals. Paul said that deacons should not drink too much wine and therefore become drunk.

3:8c

greedy for money: In 3:3d, Paul said that overseers should be “free of the love of money.” Here Paul makes a similar statement about deacons. The Greek word aischrokerdē that the Berean Standard Bible translates as greedy for money literally means “shamefully greedy.” Scholars interpret this in two ways:

(1) It refers to people who do wrong things in order to get money.

(New International Version (2011 Revision), Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, God’s Word)

This is also the view of many commentaries.

(2) It refers to people who are greedy for money and possessions, whether or not the person does anything wrong to get them.

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The Greek word that Paul used here contains a part that means “shameful, disgraceful.” So it probably refers to someone who is willing to lie, cheat or take bribes in order to get the money he wants. This kind of person might use his position of authority in the church as a way to get money from other people. One possible way to translate this is:

He must not be a person who will do anything to get money.

The same term is used in Titus 1:7 and 1:11.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.