New International Version A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. New Living Translation A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. English Standard Version Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. Berean Standard Bible A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household. Berean Literal Bible Let deacons be husbands of one wife, presiding over their children and their own households well. King James Bible Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. New King James Version Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. New American Standard Bible Deacons must be husbands of one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. NASB 1995 Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. NASB 1977 Let deacons be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. Legacy Standard Bible Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, leading their children and their own households well. Amplified Bible Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. Berean Annotated Bible A deacon {Diakonoi} must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household. Christian Standard Bible Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. Holman Christian Standard Bible Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. American Standard Version Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. Contemporary English Version Church officers must be faithful in marriage. They must be in full control of their children and everyone else in their home. English Revised Version Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. GOD'S WORD® Translation A deacon must have only one wife. Deacons must manage their children and their families well. Good News Translation A church helper must have only one wife, and be able to manage his children and family well. International Standard Version Ministers must be husbands of one wife and must manage their children and their families well. NET Bible Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households. New Heart English Bible Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. Webster's Bible Translation Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children, and their own houses well. Weymouth New Testament A deacon must be true to his one wife, and rule his children and his own household wisely and well. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleA deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household. World English Bible Let servants be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionServants—let them be husbands of one wife, leading the children well, and their own houses, Berean Literal Bible Let deacons be husbands of one wife, presiding over their children and their own households well. Young's Literal Translation Ministrants -- let them be of one wife husbands; the children leading well, and their own houses, Smith's Literal Translation Let the deacons be husbands of one wife, presiding well over the children and their own houses. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleLet deacons be the husbands of one wife: who rule well their children, and their own houses. Catholic Public Domain Version Deacons should be the husband of one wife, men who lead their own children and their own houses well. New American Bible Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and their households well. New Revised Standard Version Let deacons be married only once, and let them manage their children and their households well; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleLet the deacons be appointed from those who have not been polygamous, ruling their children and their own households well. Aramaic Bible in Plain English A Minister should be one who has one wife and leads his children and his household well. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentLet the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. Godbey New Testament Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses beautifully. Haweis New Testament Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ordering well their children and their own families. Mace New Testament a deacon must have but one wife, and govern his children, and the rest of the family in a proper manner. Weymouth New Testament A deacon must be true to his one wife, and rule his children and his own household wisely and well. Worrell New Testament Let deacons be husbands of one wife, presiding well over their own children and their own houses. Worsley New Testament Let the deacons too be husbands of one wife only, governing their children and their own houses well. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Qualifications for Deacons…11In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things. 12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household. 13For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.… Cross References A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, Titus 1:6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination. 1 Corinthians 7:2 But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. a good manager of his children Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. / And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. and of his own household. Genesis 18:19 For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.” Joshua 24:15 But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” Proverbs 31:27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 1 Timothy 3:2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Colossians 3:18-19 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. / Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. 1 Corinthians 9:5 Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? Matthew 19:4-6 Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ / and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? / So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Proverbs 31:10-12 A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. Treasury of Scripture Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. See on ver. 1 Timothy 3:2,4,5 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; … Jump to Previous Children Conducting Deacon Deacons Good Household Households Houses Husband Husbands Leading Manage Managers Ministers Ministrants Rule Ruling Servants True. Wife WiselyJump to Next Children Conducting Deacon Deacons Good Household Households Houses Husband Husbands Leading Manage Managers Ministers Ministrants Rule Ruling Servants True. Wife Wisely1 Timothy 3 1. How bishops, deacons, and their wives should be qualified;14. and to what end Paul wrote to Timothy of these things. 15. Of the church, and the blessed truth therein taught and professed. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, A deacon is to be marked by marital faithfulness and moral integrity. His life must show a settled commitment to one wife, free from sexual immorality or divided domestic loyalties. Such faithfulness reflects the character required of one entrusted with serving Christ’s church. Tit 1:6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife,… a good manager of his children His children should be guided with order, care, and appropriate discipline. Leadership in the church cannot be separated from conduct in the home, where a man’s patience, authority, and example are plainly seen. Eph 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath… and of his own household. A deacon must oversee his home responsibly, providing for those under his care and maintaining a household shaped by godly order. In the first-century world, this often included family members, servants, and property, requiring practical wisdom as well as spiritual maturity. Gen 18:19 For I have chosen him, so that he will… Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter, providing guidance to Timothy on church leadership. 2. Timothy A young pastor and protégé of Paul, receiving instructions on church governance. 3. Deacons Church leaders responsible for serving the congregation and managing church affairs. 4. Ephesus The city where Timothy was stationed, known for its diverse and challenging cultural environment. 5. Early Church The context in which these instructions were given, focusing on establishing order and integrity in church leadership. Teaching Points Marital FaithfulnessThe phrase "husband of but one wife" emphasizes the importance of fidelity and commitment in marriage. This reflects a leader's ability to maintain integrity and trustworthiness in personal relationships, which is crucial for church leadership. Family Management Effective management of one's household is a reflection of a leader's ability to manage church affairs. A deacon's home life should exemplify order, discipline, and love, serving as a microcosm of their potential leadership in the church. Character and Reputation The qualifications for deacons highlight the importance of character and reputation. Leaders should be above reproach, demonstrating qualities that inspire confidence and respect within the church community. Consistency in Leadership The consistency between personal and public life is essential for church leaders. A deacon's ability to lead at home is indicative of their capacity to lead within the church, ensuring that their leadership is authentic and credible. Role Modeling Deacons serve as role models for the congregation. Their lives should reflect the teachings of Christ, providing a living example of Christian values and principles for others to follow. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Timothy 3:12?2. How can deacons be "husbands of but one wife" in today's society? 3. What does "managing their children and households" look like practically? 4. How does 1 Timothy 3:12 connect with Titus 1:6 on leadership? 5. Why is family management crucial for church leadership roles? 6. How can we support church leaders in fulfilling 1 Timothy 3:12's requirements? 7. What does 1 Timothy 3:12 mean by "husband of one wife"? 8. How does 1 Timothy 3:12 define the role of a deacon? 9. Why is marital fidelity emphasized in 1 Timothy 3:12? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Timothy 3? (12) Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife.--Here the exact same qualification is to be sought for as in the higher grade of presbyter. The same orderly and decorous household is required now in the case of the deacon, as was to be looked for as 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.Verse 12. - Deacons for the deacons, A.V.; husbands for the husbands, A.V. Husbands of one wife (see above, ver. 2, note). Ruling, etc. (προιδτάμενοι); literally, being at the head of, presiding over (see ver. 4, note). In Romans 12:8 and 1 Thessalonians 5:12 it is applied to the spiritual ruler, the ἐπίσκοπος or πρεσβυτερος of the Church. Elsewhere only in the pastoral Epistles (above, vers. 4 and 5; 1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 3:8, 14). Their own houses (above, ver. 5). "Their own" is in contrast to" God's house." 1 Timothy 3:12 sets a triple lens on a deacon’s credibility: faithfulness to one wife, shepherd-like care of children, and responsible oversight of the entire household. Each sphere builds on the previous, showing that leadership in God’s church flows naturally from proven, observable faithfulness at home. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek A deaconΔιάκονοι (Diakonoi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 1249: Probably from an obsolete diako; an attendant, i.e. a waiter; specially, a Christian teacher and pastor. must be ἔστωσαν (estōsan) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. [the] husband ἄνδρες (andres) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man. of but one μιᾶς (mias) Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one. wife, γυναικὸς (gynaikos) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife. a good καλῶς (kalōs) Adverb Strong's 2573: Well, nobly, honorably, rightly. Adverb from kalos; well. manager προϊστάμενοι (proistamenoi) Verb - Present Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 4291: From pro and histemi; to stand before, i.e. to preside, or to practise. [of his] children τέκνων (teknōn) Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural Strong's 5043: A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. [of his] τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. own ἰδίων (idiōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 2398: Pertaining to self, i.e. One's own; by implication, private or separate. household. οἴκων (oikōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 3624: A dwelling; by implication, a family. Additonal Resources 1 Timothy 3:12 Blue Letter Bible1 Timothy 3:12 Bible Gateway 1 Timothy 3:12 Bible.com 1 Timothy 3:12 NIV |
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