Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

Paul now moves to the qualification for “deacons.” The word “deacon” (GK 1356) often means “servant,” and it is used that way many times in the Gospels. Specifically, it was used by various writers of that period for those who wait on tables. This leads us to Ac 6. The apostles as overseers of the church in Jerusalem did not have time to take care of the material needs of the poorer members, such as the widows (cf. Acts 6:2, where the verb form of this word is used). So the church chose seven men to assume this responsibility, while the apostles gave their attention to public “prayer and the ministry of the word” (v.4). Although the term deacon is not used in this connection, it would seem that these men were the forerunners of the deacons in the church. The term is first used in a technical sense in Php 1:1, and it probably means those who supervised material affairs of the church.

Paul says that the deacons, like the overseers, are to be “worthy of respect” (GK 4948; cf. 2:2; 3:4). This word combines the ideas of gravity and dignity.

Second, they are to be “sincere” (lit., “not double-tongued”; GK 1474). This adjective has the idea of saying something twice, with the bad connotation of saying one thing to one person and something else to another.

The third qualification is “not indulging in much wine” (a longer and stronger expression than that found in v.3).

Next is “not pursuing dishonest gain” (GK 153). This is understandable for people charged with handling money to give to the poor.