1 Timothy 3:12
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, managing the children and the 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.

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.

Majority Standard Bible
A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.

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.

World English Bible
Let servants be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Servants—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, managing the children and the 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 Bible
Let 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 Bible
Let 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 Testament
Let 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



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
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 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 7:2-3
But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. / The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.

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.”

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.

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.

Malachi 2:14-16
Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. / Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. / “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

Ephesians 5:22-25
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. / For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. / Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. ...

1 Corinthians 11:3
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

Deuteronomy 17:17
He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray. He must not accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold.


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; …

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Children Conducting Deacon Deacons Good Household Households Houses Husband Husbands Leading Manage Managers Ministers Ministrants Rule Ruling Servants True. Wife Wisely
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Children Conducting Deacon Deacons Good Household Households Houses Husband Husbands Leading Manage Managers Ministers Ministrants Rule Ruling Servants True. Wife Wisely
1 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
This phrase emphasizes the importance of marital faithfulness and integrity in church leadership. In the cultural context of the early church, polygamy was not widely practiced among Jews, but divorce and remarriage were common. This requirement underscores the need for a deacon to demonstrate commitment and fidelity, reflecting the monogamous relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:31-32). The phrase also implies moral purity and the ability to manage personal relationships well, which is crucial for someone in a position of spiritual authority.

a good manager of his children
The ability to manage one's children is seen as a reflection of a leader's capability to guide and nurture the church community. In biblical times, the family was the primary unit of society, and effective leadership in the home was considered indicative of one's ability to lead in the church. This requirement aligns with the broader biblical principle that leadership begins at home (1 Timothy 3:4-5). It also reflects the importance of teaching and disciplining children in the ways of the Lord, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:6-7.

and of his own household
Managing one's household well involves stewardship of resources, maintaining order, and fostering a godly environment. In the historical context, a household could include extended family and servants, making this a significant responsibility. This phrase highlights the importance of practical wisdom and organizational skills in church leadership. It also connects to the broader biblical theme of stewardship, as seen in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), where faithful management of what God has entrusted is rewarded.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The 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 Faithfulness
The 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.(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."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
A deacon
Διάκονοι (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.


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NT Letters: 1 Timothy 3:12 Let servants be husbands of one wife (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm)
1 Timothy 3:11
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