1 Timothy 3:8

Amplified Bible

Deacons likewise must be men worthy of respect [honorable, financially ethical, of good character], not double-tongued [speakers of half-truths], not addicted to wine, not greedy for dishonest gain,

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money,

King James Version (1611)
Likewise must the Deacons bee graue, not double tongued, not giuen to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre,

King James Version
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

English Standard Version
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.

New American Standard Bible
Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not insincere, not prone to drink much wine, not greedy for money,

New Century Version
In the same way, deacons must be respected by others, not saying things they do not mean. They must not drink too much wine or try to get rich by cheating others.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,

Legacy Standard Bible
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not fond of dishonest gain,

Berean Standard Bible
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.

Contemporary English Version
Church officers should be serious. They must not be liars, heavy drinkers, or greedy for money.

Complete Jewish Bible
Likewise, the shammashim must be of good character, people whose word can be trusted. They must not give themselves to excessive drinking or be greedy for dishonest gain.

Darby Translation
Ministers, in like manner, grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not seeking gain by base means,

Easy-to-Read Version
In the same way, the men who are chosen to be special servants must have the respect of others. They must not be men who say things they don't mean or who spend their time drinking too much. They must not be men who will do almost anything for money.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Likewise must Deacons be graue, not double tongued, not giuen vnto much wine, neither to filthy lucre,

George Lamsa Translation
Likewise the deacons must be pure, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

Good News Translation
Church helpers must also have a good character and be sincere; they must not drink too much wine or be greedy for money;

Lexham English Bible
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not insincere, not devoted to much wine, not fond of dishonest gain,

Literal Translation
Likewise, deacons are to be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy of ill gain,

American Standard Version
Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

Bible in Basic English
Deacons, in the same way, are to be serious in their behaviour, not false in word, not given to taking much wine or greatly desiring the wealth of this world;

Hebrew Names Version
Shammashim, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money;

International Standard Version
Deacons, too, must be serious. They must not be two-faced,double-worded">[fn] addicted to wine, or greedy for money.Leviticus 10:9; Ezekiel 44:21; Acts 6:3; 1 Timothy 6:3;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
8 And also the ministers [fn] must be pure, not speaking doubly, not inclined to much wine, nor shall they love unclean gains.

Murdock Translation
And so also the deacons should be pure, and not speak double, nor incline to much wine, nor love base gains;

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Likewise must ye ministers be graue, not double tongued, not geuen to much wine, neither greedy of fylthy lucre:

English Revised Version
Deacons in like manner [must be] grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

World English Bible
Deacons, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money;

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Likewise the deacons must be serious, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not desirous of filthy gain: Holding fast the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

Weymouth's New Testament
Deacons, in the same way, must be men of serious demeanour, not double-tongued, nor addicted to much wine, nor greedy of base gain,

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Also it bihoueth dekenes to be chast, not double tungid, not youun myche to wyn, not suynge foul wynnyng;

Update Bible Version
Servants in like manner [must be] grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of monetary gain;

Webster's Bible Translation
Likewise [must] the deacons [be] grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre,

New English Translation
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain,

New King James Version
Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money,

New Living Translation
In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money.

New Life Bible
Church helpers must also be good men and act so people will respect them. They must speak the truth. They must not get drunk. They must not have a love for money.

New Revised Standard
Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money;

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Ministers, in the same way, - dignified, not double-tongued, not, to much wine, given, not greedy of base gain,

Douay-Rheims Bible
Deacons in like manner: chaste, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre:

Revised Standard Version
Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for gain;

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Lykwyse must the deacons be honest not double tonged not geve vnto moche drynkinge nether vnto filthy lucre:

Young's Literal Translation
Ministrants -- in like manner grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not given to filthy lucre,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Likewyse must the mynisters be honest, not double tonged, not geuen to moch wyne, nether vnto fylthie lucre,

Mace New Testament (1729)
The deacons too must be grave, not double tongued, not addicted to drinking, or sordid gain,

THE MESSAGE
The same goes for those who want to be servants in the church: serious, not deceitful, not too free with the bottle, not in it for what they can get out of it. They must be reverent before the mystery of the faith, not using their position to try to run things. Let them prove themselves first. If they show they can do it, take them on. No exceptions are to be made for women—same qualifications: serious, dependable, not sharp-tongued, not overfond of wine. Servants in the church are to be committed to their spouses, attentive to their own children, and diligent in looking after their own affairs. Those who do this servant work will come to be highly respected, a real credit to this Jesus-faith.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Just the same, jigger bosses (or deacons) should be well respected, honest, and not at the beer store every single day. They should never put good money ahead of good people.

Contextual Overview

⁸Deacons likewise must be men worthy of respect [honorable, financially ethical, of good character], not double-tongued [speakers of half-truths], not addicted to wine, not greedy for dishonest gain,⁹but upholding and fully understanding the mystery [that is, the true doctrine] of the [Christian] faith with a clear conscience [resulting from behavior consistent with spiritual maturity]. ¹⁰These men must first be tested; then if they are found to be blameless and beyond reproach [in their Christian lives], let them serve as deacons. ¹¹Women must likewise be worthy of respect, not malicious gossips, but self-controlled, [thoroughly] trustworthy in all things. ¹²Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. ¹³For those who have served well as deacons gain a high standing [having a good reputation among the congregation], and great confidence in the faith which is [founded on and centered] in Christ Jesus.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the deacons: Acts 6:3-6, Philippians 1:1

be: 1 Timothy 3:4

doubletongued: Psalms 5:9, Psalms 12:2, Psalms 50:19, Psalms 52:2, Romans 3:13, James 3:10

not given: 1 Timothy 3:3, Leviticus 10:9, Ezekiel 44:21

Reciprocal: Isaiah 23:17 - and she shall Isaiah 56:11 - they are John 10:12 - he that Ephesians 5:32 - a great Philippians 4:8 - honest 1 Thessalonians 2:5 - a cloak 1 Timothy 6:5 - supposing Titus 1:7 - not given to filthy Titus 2:2 - grave Titus 2:3 - false accusers 1 Peter 5:2 - not for 2 Peter 2:3 - through

Cross-References

Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more crafty (subtle, skilled in deceit) than any living creature of the field which the LORD God had made. And the serpent (Satan) said to the woman, "Can it really be that God has said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?"

Genesis 3:2
And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden,

Genesis 3:3
except the fruit from the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God said, 'You shall not eat from it nor touch it, otherwise you will die.'"

Genesis 3:9
But the LORD God called to Adam, and said to him, "Where are you?"

Genesis 3:10
He said, "I heard the sound of You [walking] in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself."

Genesis 3:12
And the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me—she gave me [fruit] from the tree, and I ate it."

Genesis 3:21
The LORD God made tunics of [animal] skins for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

Genesis 3:22
And the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), knowing [how to distinguish between] good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take from the tree of life as well, and eat [its fruit], and live [in this fallen, sinful condition] forever"—

Deuteronomy 4:33
"Did [any] people ever hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you heard, and [still] live?

Deuteronomy 5:25
'Now then why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any longer, then we will die.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Likewise must the deacons be grave,.... The apostle proceeds to give the qualifications, and so the rules for choosing another sort of officers in the church, deacons; whose work and business is, not to preach the Gospel, and administer ordinances; but to take care of the secular affairs of the church, and particularly to serve tables; to provide the bread and wine for the Lord's table, to attend at it, and distribute the elements from the minister to the people, to collect for it, defray the charges of it, and divide what remains among the poor; and they are to take care of the minister's table, that he is provided for in a comfortable way, and to stir up the members to their duty in this respect; and to take care of the poor's table, and distribute what the church collects for them, with simplicity and cheerfulness; and are to be helps to the pastor, in observing the walk of members, in composing differences between them, in visiting the sick and poor, and in preparing matters for church meetings. Their characters are, that they be "grave"; in their speech, gesture, and dress; honest, and of good report among men; and chaste in their words and actions; all which may be signified by the word here used; and the latter may be rather hinted at, because of Nicholas, one of the first deacons, who was charged with uncleanness:

not doubletongued; whose hearts and tongues do not agree together; and who, being a sort of middle persons between the pastor and the members of the church, say one thing to one, and another to the other; which to do is of bad consequence: or who speak well to the poor when they apply to them, and promise them to do them all the service they can, and when it comes to the upshot speak against them:

not given to much wine; which impairs the health, stupefies the mind, and so renders unfit for any such office, as well as wastes the temporal estate; and may lead them to embezzle and consume the church's stock:

not greedy of filthy lucre; for such would withhold from the poor that which is meet for them, and make use of money in their hands, to their own advantage.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Likewise must the deacons - On the meaning of the word “deacons,” see the notes on Philippians 1:1. On their appointment, see the notes, Acts 6:1. The word here evidently denotes those who had charge of the temporal affairs of the church, the poor, etc. No qualifications are mentioned, implying that they were to be preachers of the gospel. In most respects, except in regard to preaching, their qualifications were to be the same as those of the “bishops.”

Be grave - Serious, sober-minded men. In Acts 6:3, it is said that they should be men “of honest report.” On the meaning of the word “grave,” see the notes on 1 Timothy 3:4. They should be men who by their serious deportment will inspire respect.

Not double-tongued - The word here used δίλογος dilogos - does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. It means, properly, uttering the same thing twice (from δίς dis and λέγω legō), and then deceitful, or speaking one thing and meaning another. They should be men who can be relied on for the exact truth of what they say, and for the exact fulfillment of their promises.

Not given to much wine - see 1 Timothy 3:3. The word “much” is added here to what is said 1 Timothy 3:2 of the qualification of a bishop. It is not affirmed that it would be proper for the deacon, anymore than the bishop, to indulge in the use of wine in small quantities, but it “is” affirmed that a man who is much given to the use of wine ought not, on any consideration, to be a deacon. It may be remarked here, that this qualification was everywhere regarded as necessary for a minister of religion. Even the pagan priests, on entering a temple, did not drink wine. “Bloomfield.” The use of wine, and of strong drinks of all kinds, was absolutely prohibited to the Jewish ministers of every rank when they were about to engage in the service of God; Leviticus 10:9. Why should it then be anymore proper for a Christian minister to drink wine than for a Jewish or a pagan priest? Shall a minister of the gospel be less holy than they? Shall he have a feebler sense of the purity of his vocation? Shall he be less careful lest he expose himself to the possibility of conducting the services of religion in an irreverent and silly manner? Shall he venture to approach the altar of God under the influence of intoxicating drinks, when a sense of propriety restrained the pagan priest, and a solemn statue of Yahweh restrained the Jewish priest from doing it?

Not greedy of filthy lucre - notes, 1 Timothy 3:3. The special reason why this qualification was important in the deacon was, that he would be entrusted with the funds of the church, and might be tempted to appropriate them to his own use instead of the charitable purposes for which they were designed; see this illustrated in the case of Judas, John 12:6.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 8. Likewise must the deacons — The term deacon, διακονος, simply signifies a regular or stated servant: from δια, through or emphatic, and κονεω, to minister or serve. See it explained in Clarke's note on "Matthew 20:26". As nearly the same qualifications were required in the deacons as in the bishops, the reader may consult what is said on the preceding verses.

Grave — Of a sedate and dignified carriage and conduct.

Not double-tongued — Speaking one thing to one person, and another thing to another, on the same subject. This is hypocrisy and deceit. This word might also be translated liars.

Not given to much wine — Neither a drunkard, tippler, nor what is called a jovial companion. All this would be inconsistent with gravity.

Not greedy of filthy lucre — See note on 1 Timothy 3:3.