Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Timothy 3:12

"Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling [their] children and their own houses well." — 1 Timothy 3:12 (ASV)

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife.—Here the exact same qualification is to be sought as in the higher grade of presbyter. The same orderly and decorous household is required now for the deacon, as was also looked for as a qualification for the presiding elder. St. Paul knew well that in the wise yet tender father, Timothy would find the firm yet generous distributor of the Church's alms, the loving and devoted friend of the poor sick.