1 Timothy 3:8-13

1 Timothy 3:8-13

[8] Likewise  must the deacons  be grave,  not  doubletongued,  not  given  to much  wine,  not  greedy of filthy lucre;  [9] Holding  the mystery  of the faith  in  a pure  conscience.  [10] And  these  also  first  be proved;  then  let them use the office of a deacon,  found blameless.  [11] Even so  must their wives  be grave,  not  slanderers,  sober,  faithful  in  all things.  [12] the deacons  the husbands  wife,  ruling  their children  and  their own  houses  well.  [13] For  they that have used the office of a deacon  well  purchase  to themselves  a good  degree,  and  great  boldness  in  the faith  which  is in  Christ  Jesus. 

What does 1 Timothy 3:8-13 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Paul continued his instructions concerning order in the life of the local church by setting forth qualifications for the deacons. He did this to insure Spirit-controlled assistants for the elders.
". . . this passage does not spell out the functions of a deacon but simply clarifies the type of person who qualifies to be a deacon. Overseers and deacons are distinct in function but similar in character." [1]