The Meaning of 1 Timothy 3:10 Explained

1 Timothy 3:10

KJV: And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

YLT: and let these also first be proved, then let them minister, being unblameable.

Darby: And let these be first proved, then let them minister, being without charge against them.

ASV: And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless.

Discover 1 Timothy 3:10

CONTEXT: What is the Context of 1 Timothy 3:10?

MEANING: What does 1 Timothy 3:10 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in 1 Timothy 3:10 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in 1 Timothy 3:10?

What is the context of 1 Timothy 3:10?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being [found] blameless.

What does 1 Timothy 3:10 Mean?

Context Summary

1 Timothy 3:8-16 - Qualifications Of Church Officials

Younger men, referred to as deacons, were appointed to subordinate tasks, especially the relief of the poor, Acts 6:1-15. Though their service was less important, their character must be of the highest quality. The strength of a church is as much in the godliness of those who fill subordinate offices, as in its acknowledged leaders. The caretaker of a church should be a man of as high ideals as its chief pastor. Nothing is common or unclean, nothing trivial and unimportant, where Christ's honor and glory are concerned. In the prophet's vision the very snuffers of the candlestick were of gold.

The women mentioned here are deaconesses, Romans 16:1. Governor Bradford, describing the church of the Pilgrim Fathers, says of a deaconess: "She honored her place and was an ornament to the congregation. She did frequently visit the sick and weak, and would gather relief for them. She was obeyed as a mother in Israel."

The Church is the earthly dwelling-place of God. It lifts up and maintains the standard of truth in the midst of men, therefore it is hated. It is most necessary that Christians should bear witness to the truth, collectively as well as individually. The facts given us to witness to are enumerated here in the six clauses of an ancient antiphonal chant. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

Greek Commentary for 1 Timothy 3:10

First be proved [δοκιμαζεστωσαν πρωτον]
Present passive imperative third plural of δοκιμαζω dokimazō old and common verb, to test as metals, etc. (1 Thessalonians 2:4, and often in Paul). How the proposed deacons are to be “first” tested before approved Paul does not say. See note on Philemon 1:10 for the two senses (test, approve) of the word. [source]

Let them serve as deacons [διακονειτωσαν]
Present active imperative of διακονεω diakoneō (same root as διακονος diakonos), common verb, to minister, here “to serve as deacons.” Cf. διακονειν diakonein in Acts 6:2. See also 1 Timothy 3:13. If they be blameless (ανεγκλητοι οντες anegklētoi ontes). “Being blameless” (conditional participle, οντες ontes). See note on 1 Corinthians 1:8; Colossians 1:22 for ανεγκλητος anegklētos f0). [source]

If they be blameless [ανεγκλητοι οντες]
“Being blameless” (conditional participle, οντες ontes). See note on 1 Corinthians 1:8; Colossians 1:22 for ανεγκλητος anegklētos f0). [source]

These also [καὶ οὗτοι δὲ]
As well as the Bishops. No mention is made of a proving of the Bishops, but this may be fairly assumed. Comp. not a novice, 1 Timothy 3:6. [source]

Be proved [δοκιμαζέσθωσαν]
Common in Paul; only here in Pastorals. See on 1 Peter 1:7. Not implying a formal examination, but a reference to the general judgment of the Christian community as to whether they fulfil the conditions detailed in 1 Timothy 3:8. Comp. 1 Timothy 5:22; 2 Timothy 2:2. [source]

Let them use the office of a deacon [διακονείτωσαν]
Much better, let them serve as deacons. In this sense only in the Pastorals. Comp. 1 Timothy 3:13. The verb is very common in N.T. [source]

Being blameless [ἀνέγκλητοι ὄντες]
Rather, unaccused: if no charge be preferred against them. In Paul, 1 Corinthians 1:8; Colossians 1:22. Comp. Titus 1:6, Titus 1:7. It is a judicial term. The participle ὄντες signifies provided they are. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Timothy 3:10

Titus 1:6 Blameless [ανεγκλητος]
In a condition of first class. Used in 1 Timothy 3:10 of deacons which see. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Timothy 3:10 mean?

Also these now let them be tested first then let them serve blameless being

καὶ οὗτοι δὲ δοκιμαζέσθωσαν πρῶτον εἶτα διακονείτωσαν ἀνέγκλητοι ὄντες

καὶ	Also
Parse: Conjunction Root: καί Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
οὗτοι	these
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Plural Root: οὗτος Sense: this.
δὲ	now
Parse: Conjunction Root: δέ Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
δοκιμαζέσθωσαν	let them be tested
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Plural Root: δοκιμάζω Sense: to test, examine, prove, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals.
πρῶτον	first
Parse: Adverb, Superlative Root: πρῶτον Sense: first in time or place.
διακονείτωσαν	let them serve
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 3rd Person Plural Root: διακονέω Sense: to be a servant, attendant, domestic, to serve, wait upon.
ἀνέγκλητοι	blameless
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural Root: ἀνέγκλητος Sense: that cannot be called into to account, unreproveable, unaccused, blameless.
ὄντες	being
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural Root: εἰμί Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.

What are the major concepts related to 1 Timothy 3:10?

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Similar Scriptures for 1 Timothy 3:10

		1 Timothy 5:22 [4]
		1 Timothy 3:13 [2]
		1 John 4:1 [2]
		1 Corinthians 1:8 [2]
		1 Timothy 3:6 [2]
		Acts 6:1-2 [2]
		Titus 1:6-7 [2]
		1 Timothy 3:2 [2]
		Colossians 1:22 [1]
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