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Selected Verse: 1 Timothy 3:11 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Ti 3:11 |
Strong Concordance |
Even so [5615] must their wives [1135] be grave [4586], not [3361] slanderers [1228], sober [3524], faithful [4103] in [1722] all things [3956]. |
| |
King James |
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
their wives--rather, "the women," that is, the deaconesses. For there is no reason that special rules should be laid down as to the wives of the deacons, and not also as to the wives of the bishops or overseers. Moreover, if the wives of the deacons were meant, there seems no reason for the omission of "their" (not in the Greek). Also the Greek for "even so" (the same as for "likewise," Ti1 3:8, and "in like manner," Ti1 2:9), denotes a transition to another class of persons. Further, there were doubtless deaconesses at Ephesus, such as Phœbe was at Cenchrea (Rom 16:1, "servant," Greek, "deaconess"), yet no mention is made of them in this Epistle if not here; whereas, supposing them to be meant here, the third chapter embraces in due proportion all the persons in the service of the Church. Naturally after specifying the qualifications of the deacon, Paul passes to those of the kindred office, the deaconess. "Grave" occurs in the case of both. "Not slanderers" here, answers to "not double-tongued" in the deacons; so "not false accusers" (Tit 2:3). "Sober" here answers to "not given to much wine," in the case of the deacons (Ti1 3:8). Thus it appears he requires the same qualifications in female deacons as in deacons, only with such modifications as the difference of sex suggested. PLINY, in his celebrated letter to Trajan, calls them "female ministers."
faithful in all things--of life as well as faith. Trustworthy in respect to the alms committed to them and their other functions, answering to "not greedy of filthy lucre," Ti1 3:8, in the case of the deacons. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
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, Rom 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; Ti1 3:4-5. By a comparison of this passage, also, with Tit 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, Ti1 3:4.
Not slanderers - compare Tit 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 Ti2 3:3, and Tit 2:3. Elsewhere in the New Testament, it is uniformly rendered "devil" (compare notes, Mat 4:1), and is given to Satan, the prince of the fallen angels Mat 9:34, by way of eminence, as "the accuser;" compare Job 1:6-11 notes, and Rev 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, Ti1 3:2.
Faithful in all things - To their husbands, to their families, to the church, to the Saviour. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Their wives (γυναῖκας)
Probably correct, although some find a reference to an official class of women - deaconesses (so Ellicott, Holtzmann, Alford). But the injunction is thrown incidentally into the admonition concerning Deacons, which is resumed at Ti1 3:12; and if an official class were intended we should expect something more specific than γυναῖκας women or wives without the article. A Deacon whose wife is wanting in the qualities required in him, is not to be chosen. She would sustain an active relation to his office, and by her ministries would increase his efficiency, and by frivolity, slander, or intemperance, would bring him and his office into disrepute. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Faithful in all things - Both to God, their husbands, and the poor. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
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 ὡσαυτως 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 Rom 16:1 (note). 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 on Ti1 3:7 (note) This may be properly enough translated slanderers, backbiters, tale-bearers, etc., 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 on Ti1 3:2 (note)
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. |
8 Likewise [5615] must the deacons [1249] be grave [4586], not [3361] doubletongued [1351], not [3361] given [4337] to much [4183] wine [3631], not [3361] greedy of filthy lucre [146];
8 Likewise [5615] must the deacons [1249] be grave [4586], not [3361] doubletongued [1351], not [3361] given [4337] to much [4183] wine [3631], not [3361] greedy of filthy lucre [146];
3 The aged women [4247] likewise [5615], that they be in [1722] behaviour [2688] as becometh holiness [2412], not [3361] false accusers [1228], not [3361] given [1402] to much [4183] wine [3631], teachers of good things [2567];
1 [1161] I commend [4921] unto you [5213] Phebe [5402] our [2257] sister [79], which is [5607] a servant [1249] of the church [1577] which [3588] is at [1722] Cenchrea [2747]:
9 In like manner [5615] also [2532], that women [1135] adorn [2885] themselves [1438] in [1722] modest [2887] apparel [2689], with [3326] shamefacedness [127] and [2532] sobriety [4997]; not [3361] with [1722] broided hair [4117], or [2228] gold [5557], or [2228] pearls [3135], or [2228] costly [4185] array [2441];
8 Likewise [5615] must the deacons [1249] be grave [4586], not [3361] doubletongued [1351], not [3361] given [4337] to much [4183] wine [3631], not [3361] greedy of filthy lucre [146];
2 A bishop [1985] then [3767] must [1163] be [1511] blameless [423], the husband [435] of one [3391] wife [1135], vigilant [3524], sober [4998], of good behaviour [2887], given to hospitality [5382], apt to teach [1317];
10 And [2532] I heard [191] a loud [3173] voice [5456] saying [3004] in [1722] heaven [3772], Now [737] is come [1096] salvation [4991], and [2532] strength [1411], and [2532] the kingdom [932] of our [2257] God [2316], and [2532] the power [1849] of his [846] Christ [5547]: for [3754] the accuser [2723] of our [2257] brethren [80] is cast down [2598], which [3588] accused [2725] them [846] before [1799] our [2257] God [2316] day [2250] and [2532] night [3571].
6 Now there was a day [03117] when the sons [01121] of God [0430] came [0935] to present [03320] themselves before the LORD [03068], and Satan [07854] came [0935] also among [08432] them.
7 And the LORD [03068] said [0559] unto Satan [07854], Whence [0370] comest [0935] thou? Then Satan [07854] answered [06030] the LORD [03068], and said [0559], From going to and fro [07751] in the earth [0776], and from walking up and down [01980] in it.
8 And the LORD [03068] said [0559] unto Satan [07854], Hast thou considered [07760] [03820] my servant [05650] Job [0347], that there is none like him in the earth [0776], a perfect [08535] and an upright [03477] man [0376], one that feareth [03373] God [0430], and escheweth [05493] evil [07451]?
9 Then Satan [07854] answered [06030] the LORD [03068], and said [0559], Doth Job [0347] fear [03372] God [0430] for nought [02600]?
10 Hast not thou made an hedge [07753] about him, and about [01157] his house [01004], and about all that he hath on every side [05439]? thou hast blessed [01288] the work [04639] of his hands [03027], and his substance [04735] is increased [06555] in the land [0776].
11 But [0199] put forth [07971] thine hand [03027] now, and touch [05060] all that he hath, and he will curse [01288] [03808] thee to thy face [06440].
34 But [1161] the Pharisees [5330] said [3004], He casteth out [1544] devils [1140] through [1722] the prince [758] of the devils [1140].
1 Then [5119] was Jesus [2424] led up [321] of [5259] the Spirit [4151] into [1519] the wilderness [2048] to be tempted [3985] of [5259] the devil [1228].
3 The aged women [4247] likewise [5615], that they be in [1722] behaviour [2688] as becometh holiness [2412], not [3361] false accusers [1228], not [3361] given [1402] to much [4183] wine [3631], teachers of good things [2567];
3 Without natural affection [794], trucebreakers [786], false accusers [1228], incontinent [193], fierce [434], despisers of those that are good [865],
3 The aged women [4247] likewise [5615], that they be in [1722] behaviour [2688] as becometh holiness [2412], not [3361] false accusers [1228], not [3361] given [1402] to much [4183] wine [3631], teachers of good things [2567];
4 One that ruleth [4291] well [2573] his own [2398] house [3624], having [2192] his children [5043] in [1722] subjection [5292] with [3326] all [3956] gravity [4587];
3 The aged women [4247] likewise [5615], that they be in [1722] behaviour [2688] as becometh holiness [2412], not [3361] false accusers [1228], not [3361] given [1402] to much [4183] wine [3631], teachers of good things [2567];
4 That [2443] they may teach [4994] the young women [3501] to be [1511] sober [4994], to love their husbands [5362], to love their children [5388],
4 One that ruleth [4291] well [2573] his own [2398] house [3624], having [2192] his children [5043] in [1722] subjection [5292] with [3326] all [3956] gravity [4587];
5 (For [1161] if a man [1536] know [1492] not [3756] how [1492] to rule [4291] his own [2398] house [3624], how [4459] shall he take care of [1959] the church [1577] of God [2316]?)
1 [1161] I commend [4921] unto you [5213] Phebe [5402] our [2257] sister [79], which is [5607] a servant [1249] of the church [1577] which [3588] is at [1722] Cenchrea [2747]:
12 Let [2077] the deacons [1249] be [2077] the husbands [435] of one [3391] wife [1135], ruling [4291] their children [5043] and [2532] their own [2398] houses [3624] well [2573].
2 A bishop [1985] then [3767] must [1163] be [1511] blameless [423], the husband [435] of one [3391] wife [1135], vigilant [3524], sober [4998], of good behaviour [2887], given to hospitality [5382], apt to teach [1317];
7 Moreover [1161] [2532] he [846] must [1163] have [2192] a good [2570] report [3141] of [575] them which are without [1855]; lest [3363] he fall [1706] into [1519] reproach [3680] and [2532] the snare [3803] of the devil [1228].
1 [1161] I commend [4921] unto you [5213] Phebe [5402] our [2257] sister [79], which is [5607] a servant [1249] of the church [1577] which [3588] is at [1722] Cenchrea [2747]: