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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - 1 Timothy 3:8 - 3:8
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Deacons
The office of Deacon appears in the Pastorals, but not in Paul's letters, with the single exception of Phi 1:1, where the Deacons do not represent an ecclesiastical office, though they remark an advance toward it. Clement of Rome (ad Corinth. xlii., xliv.) asserts their apostolic appointment. But the evidence at our command does not bear out the view that the institution of the diaconate is described in Act 6:1-6. The terms διάκονος and διακονία are, in the Pauline writings, common expressions of servants and service either to Christ or to others. Paul applies these terms to his own ministry and to that of his associates. Διακονία is used of the service of the apostles, Act 1:25; Act 6:4. Διάκονος is used of Paul and Apollos (1Co 3:5); of Christ (Gal 2:17; Rom 15:8); of the civil ruler (Rom 13:4); of ministers of Satan (2Co 11:15). The appointment of the seven grew out of a special emergency, and was made for a particular service; and the resemblance is not close between the duties and qualifications of deacons in the Pastorals and those of the seven. The word διάκονος does not appear in Acts; and when Paul and Barnabas brought to Jerusalem the collection for the poor saints, they handed it over to the elders.
In like manner (ὡσαύτως)
Rare in Paul (Rom 8:26; 1Co 11:25). Frequent in Pastorals.
Grave (σεμνούς)
In Paul only Phi 4:8. See on σεμνότης gravity, 1Ti 2:2.
Double-tongued (διλόγους)
N.T.o. olxx, oClass. Saying one thing and meaning another, and making different representations to different people about the same thing.
Given to much wine (οἴνῳ πολλῷ προσέχοντας)
See on 1Ti 1:4. Total abstinence is not enjoined, even on a deacon. Comp. 1Ti 5:23.
Greedy of filthy lucre (αἰσχροκερδεῖς)
N.T.o. olxx. The adverb αἰσχροκερδῶς in a base, gain - greedy way, 1Pe 5:2. From αἰσχρός disgraceful and κέρδος gain. Comp. Hdt. i. 187: εἰ μὴ ἄπληστός τε ἔας χρημάτων καὶ αἰσχροκερδής if thou hadst not been insatiable of wealth and ready to procure it by disgraceful means. Aristoph. Peace, 622, alludes to two vices of the Spartans, ὄντες αἰσχροκερδεῖς καὶ διειρωνόξενοι sordidly greedy of gain, and treacherous under the mask of hospitality. Similarly Eurip. Androm. 451. Comp. turpilucricupidus, Plaut. Trin. 1, 2, 63.