Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Timothy 3:8

"Deacons in like manner [must be] grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;" — 1 Timothy 3:8 (ASV)

Likewise must the deacons.—We have scattered and somewhat informal accounts of this subordinate order of deacons dating from the very first days of the faith. The order clearly arose from the needs of the rapidly growing church.

Some two years after the Ascension (A.D. 34-35), the seven deacons were appointed to assist the Apostles as administrators of alms for the believers. As the Church’s life developed, the functions of these early subordinate ecclesiastical officers were expanded.

The careers of Stephen and Philip provide ample evidence of this. From this first apostolic appointment in A.D. 34-35, no doubt, that significant subordinate order in the Church developed, for which these definite rules and authoritative regulations were established by the Apostle Paul in his instructions to Timothy concerning church government and order.

These early deacons were evidently assistants to the presbyters and probably, in many cases, filled their roles. The great similarity of Saint Paul’s instructions regarding the qualifications required for both implies this. Still, their original employment as administrators of the Church’s funds and the distribution of its alms remained their responsibility.

In the first half of the second century, we find the order regularly and apparently universally established, constituting an acknowledged part of the Christian system of ecclesiastical government. The scattered references to the diaconate in the New Testament, dating almost from the Ascension—over a period exceeding thirty years—show us how this subordinate order arose from the needs of the Church and was rapidly developed as the Catholic Church grew.

The differences between the deacon of the Pastoral Epistles and the deacon of the writings of Justin Martyr are exactly what we should expect would result from seventy years of gradual but progressive organization under men like Saint John, his disciples, and the immediate successors of the Apostles.

Be grave.—Saint Paul again repeats the need for this character trait to be found in the subordinate order of ecclesiastical officers. Reverent decorum and quiet gravity, which never interfere with innocent, childlike happiness (see Note on 1 Timothy 3:4), are especially to be expected in a deacon, who should show an example of everyday Christian life.

Not doubletongued.—Bengel aptly paraphrases it: ad alios alia loquentes. In his duties connected with administering the Church’s alms, and also in his more directly spiritual work, the deacon would have many opportunities to meet and talk with the various families of his Master’s flock.

In these visits, he must be watchful over his words, not tailoring them to the occasion and then contradicting in one house what he had affirmed in another. Such a serious fault—not an uncommon one—would, in the long run, deeply damage his public influence and inflict a deadly wound on his own spiritual life.

Not given to much wine.—The acknowledged minister—the advocate for the cause of the poor and needy—must show an example of the strictest sobriety and be known as one who cares little for the pleasures of the table. We see from 1 Timothy 5:23 how well and nobly Saint Paul’s young lieutenant aimed to set a self-denying example for the flock, when the old master considered it necessary to warn his earnest, brave disciple against an asceticism that was positively weakening his capacity for work and endurance.

Not greedy of filthy lucre.—Those entrusted with managing the Church’s alms must surely be especially careful of their reputation regarding covetousness—among Timothy’s “chosen,” there must be no Judas.