Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, November 26th, 2024
the Week of Christ the King / Proper 29 / Ordinary 34
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International Standard Version

1 Timothy 3:11

Their wivesWomen">[fn] must also be serious. They must not be gossips, but instead be stable and trustworthy in everything.Titus 2:3;">[xr]

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Church;   Commandments;   Deacon;   Minister, Christian;   Slander;   Sobriety;   Wife;   Women;   Thompson Chain Reference - Duty;   Home;   Leaders;   Ministers;   Religious;   Soberness;   Social Duties;   Wives' Duty;   Women;   The Topic Concordance - Deacons;   Drunkenness;   Sobriety;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Faithfulness;   Slander;   Sobriety;   Wives;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Gossip;   Self-discipline;   Women;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Church, the;   Deacon, Deaconess;   Leadership;   Ministry, Minister;   Timothy, First and Second, Theology of;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Deacon;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Deaconess;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Devil;   Eve;   Minister;   Phoebe;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Church;   Deacon;   Offices in the New Testament;   Sober;   1 Timothy;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Bishop;   Church Government;   Deacon;   Deaconess;   Minister;   Ministry;   Temperance;   Timothy, Epistles to;   Woman;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Deacon, Deaconess;   Devil ;   Evil-Speaking;   Grave Gravity ;   Soberness Sobriety;   Timothy and Titus Epistles to;   Virgin Virginity;   Widows;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Deacon,;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Deaconess;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Deacon;   Deaconess;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Deacon;   Devil;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Church;   Church Government;   Deacon;   Gravity;   Slander;   Sober;   Spiritual Gifts;   Temperance;   Woman;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for December 1;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
In the same way, the women must have the respect of others. They must not be women who speak evil about other people. They must have self-control and be women who can be trusted in everything.
Revised Standard Version
The women likewise must be serious, no slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Even so must their wynes be honest not evyll speakers: but sober and faythfull in all thinges.
Hebrew Names Version
Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
New American Standard Bible
Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.
New Century Version
In the same way, women must be respected by others. They must not speak evil of others. They must be self-controlled and trustworthy in everything.
Update Bible Version
Women in like manner [must be] grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
Webster's Bible Translation
Even so [must their] wives [be] grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
English Standard Version
Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.
World English Bible
Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
In like manner their wives must be serious, not slanderers, vigilant, faithful in all things.
Weymouth's New Testament
Deaconesses, in the same way, must be sober-minded women, not slanderers, but in every way temperate and trustworthy.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Also it bihoueth wymmen to be chast, not bacbitinge, sobre, feithful in alle thingis.
English Revised Version
Women in like manner [must be] grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
Berean Standard Bible
In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.
Contemporary English Version
Women must also be serious. They must not gossip or be heavy drinkers, and they must be faithful in everything they do.
Amplified Bible
Women must likewise be worthy of respect, not malicious gossips, but self-controlled, [thoroughly] trustworthy in all things.
American Standard Version
Women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
Bible in Basic English
Women are to be serious in behaviour, saying no evil of others, controlling themselves, true in all things.
Complete Jewish Bible
Similarly, the wives must be of good character, not gossips, but temperate, faithful in everything.
Darby Translation
[The] women in like manner grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Etheridge Translation
Thus also must the woman be chaste, and they shall be vigilant (in their) minds, and faithful in every thing; and they shall not be accusers.
Murdock Translation
So also should the wives be chaste and of vigilant minds; and they should be faithful in all things; and they should not be slanderers.
King James Version (1611)
Euen so must their wiues be graue; not slanderers, sober, faithfull in all things.
New Living Translation
In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.
New Life Bible
The wives of church helpers must be careful how they act. They must not carry stories from one person to another. They must be wise and faithful in all they do.
New Revised Standard
Women likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Likewise their wiues must be honest, not euill speakers, but sober, and faithfull in all things.
George Lamsa Translation
Likewise their wives must be chaste, have an alert mind, faithful in all things, and they must not be slanderers.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Wives, in the same way, - dignified, not given to intrigue, sober, faithful in all things.
Douay-Rheims Bible
The women in like manner: chaste, not slanderers, but sober, faithful in all things.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Euen so must their wyues be graue, not euyll speakers, sober, faythfull in all thynges.
Good News Translation
Their wives also must be of good character and must not gossip; they must be sober and honest in everything.
Christian Standard Bible®
Wives, too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything.
King James Version
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Lexham English Bible
The wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in all things.
Literal Translation
Likewise, their wives are to be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
Young's Literal Translation
Women -- in like manner grave, not false accusers, vigilant, faithful in all things.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Euen so must their wyues be honest, not euell speakers, but sober and faithfull in all thinges.
Mace New Testament (1729)
their wives must be likewise grave, free from scandal, sober, and always faithful.
New English Translation
Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect.
New King James Version
Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
Simplified Cowboy Version
But let's not forget about the cowgirls. They should be well respected, not idle gossipers. Self-control and faithfulness should be their way.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.
Legacy Standard Bible
Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.

Contextual Overview

8 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] 9 They must hold firmly to the secret of the faith with clear consciences.1 Timothy 1:19;">[xr] 10 But they must first be tested. Then, if they prove to be blameless, they may become deacons. 11 Their wivesWomen">[fn] must also be serious. They must not be gossips, but instead be stable and trustworthy in everything.Titus 2:3;">[xr] 12 Deacons must be husbands of one wifedevoted to their wives; lit. men of one woman">[fn] and must manage their children and their families well. 13 Those deacons who serve well gain an excellent reputation for themselves and will have great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.Matthew 25:21;">[xr]

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

their: Leviticus 21:7, Leviticus 21:13-15, Ezekiel 44:22, Luke 1:5-6, Titus 2:3

be: 1 Timothy 3:4

not: Psalms 15:3, Psalms 50:20, Psalms 101:5, Proverbs 10:18, Proverbs 25:13, Jeremiah 9:4, Matthew 4:1, John 6:70, 2 Timothy 3:3, Titus 2:3,*Gr: Revelation 12:9, Revelation 12:10

sober: 1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8, 2 Timothy 4:5, Titus 3:2,*Gr: 1 Peter 5:8

faithful: 1 Timothy 1:12, 1 Timothy 6:2

Reciprocal: Leviticus 19:16 - talebearer Ezra 10:18 - the sons Malachi 2:15 - That he Galatians 5:22 - faith Ephesians 4:31 - evil speaking Philippians 4:8 - honest Titus 2:2 - sober James 4:11 - Speak 1 Peter 2:1 - all evil

Cross-References

Romans 3:20
Therefore, no human being will be justified in God'shis">[fn] sight by means of the works prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the full knowledge of sin.Psalm 143:2; Acts 13:39; Romans 7:7; Galatians 2:16; 3:11; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5;">[xr]

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Even so must their wives be grave,.... Some instead of "wives" read "women", and understand them of deaconesses, such as were in the primitive churches; whose business it was to visit the poor and sick sisters of the church, and take care of things belonging to them; but it is better to interpret the words of the wives of the deacons, who must be as their husbands, "grave" in speech, gesture, and dress, of an honest report, a good behaviour, and chaste conversation; which will reflect honour and credit to their husbands:

not slanderers; or accusers, and so act like devils, as the word is sometimes rendered; for should they act such a part, and accuse either the poor, or any of the members of the church wrongfully, or on any trifling occasion, as persons addicted to this vice are wont to do, it would be of bad consequence: and they also should be

sober, temperate, not given to wine; excessive drinking is very scandalous in the female sex; and is the rather mentioned here, because women in the eastern countries were too frequently addicted to it:

faithful in all things; as in the marriage bed, so with whatsoever else they are intrusted with in the family, and civil concerns of their husbands; and this is the rather observed, because the wives of deacons may be sometimes intrusted with the church's stock in their husband's absence, to impart to the poor.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Even so must their wives be grave - Chrysostom, Theophylact, Grotius, Bloomfield, and many others, suppose that by the word “wives,” here, (γυνᾶικας gunaikas), the apostle means “deaconesses.” Clarke supposes that it refers to women in general. The reason assigned for supposing that it does not refer to the wives of deacons, as such, is, that nothing is said of the qualifications of the wives of bishops - a matter of as much importance as that of the character of the wife of a deacon; and that it cannot be supposed that the apostle would specify the one without some allusion to the other. But that the common interpretation, which makes it refer to the wives of deacons, as such, is to be adhered to, seems to me to be clear. Because:

(1) It is the obvious and natural interpretation.

(2) The word here used - “wives” - is never used of itself to denote deaconesses.

(3) If the apostle had meant deaconesses, it would have been easy to express it without ambiguity; compare notes, Romans 16:1.

(4) What is here mentioned is important, whether the same thing is mentioned of bishops or not.

(5) In the qualifications of bishops, the apostle had made a statement respecting his family, which made any specification about the particular members of the family unnecessary. He was to be one who presided in a proper manner over his own house, or who had a well-regulated family; 1 Timothy 3:4-5. By a comparison of this passage, also, with Titus 2:3-4, which bears a strong resemblance to this, it would seem that it was supposed that the deacons would be taken from those who were advanced in life, and that their wives would have some superintendence over the younger females of the church. It was, therefore, especially important that they should be persons whose influence would be known to be decidedly favorable to piety. No one can doubt that the character of a woman may be such, that it is not desirable that her husband should be an officer in the church. A bad woman ought not to be entrusted with any additional power or influence.

Grave - notes, 1 Timothy 3:4.

Not slanderers - compare Titus 2:3, “Not false accusers.” The Greek word is διαβόλους diabolous - “devils.” It is used here in its original and proper sense, to denote a “calumniator,” “slanderer,” or “accuser.” It occurs in the same sense in 2 Timothy 3:3, and Titus 2:3. Elsewhere in the New Testament, it is uniformly rendered “devil” (compare notes, Matthew 4:1), and is given to Satan, the prince of the fallen angels Matthew 9:34, by way of eminence, as “the accuser;” compare Job 1:6-11 notes, and Revelation 12:10 note. Here it means that they should not be women who were in the habit of calumniating others, or aspersing their character. Mingling as they would with the church, and having an opportunity to claim acquaintance with many, it would be in their power, if they chose, to do great injury to the character of others.

Sober - notes, 1 Timothy 3:2.

Faithful in all things - To their husbands, to their families, to the church, to the Saviour.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 11. Even so must their wives be grave — I believe the apostle does not mean here the wives either of the bishops or deacons in particular, but the Christian women in general. The original is simply: γυναικας ωσαυτως σεμνας. Let the women likewise be grave. Whatever is spoken here becomes women in general; but if the apostle had those termed deaconesses in his eye, which is quite possible, the words are peculiarly suitable to them. That there was such an order in the apostolic and primitive Church, and that they were appointed to their office by the imposition of hands, has already been noticed on Romans 16:1. Possibly, therefore, the apostle may have had this order of deaconesses in view, to whom it was as necessary to give counsels and cautions as to the deacons themselves; and to prescribe their qualifications, lest improper persons should insinuate themselves into that office.

Not slanderers — μη διαβολους. Literally, not devils. See note on 1 Timothy 3:7. This may be properly enough translated slanderers, backbiters, tale-bearers, c., for all these are of their father, the devil, and his lusts they will do. Let all such, with the vast tribe of calumniators and dealers in scandal, remember that the apostle ranks them all with malicious, fallen spirits a consideration which one would suppose might be sufficient to deter them from their injurious and abominable conduct.

Sober — See note on 1 Timothy 3:2.

Faithful in all things. — The deaconesses had much to do among the poor, and especially among poor women, in dispensing the bounty of the Church. They were not only faithfully to expend all they had got, and for the purpose for which they got it; but they must do this with impartiality, showing no respect of persons, the degree of distress being the only rule by which the distribution was to be regulated.


 
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