Deacons must be husbands of one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.
Parallel translations
- WEB Let servants be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
- KJV Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
- BSB A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.
- NKJV Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
- NLT A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Deacons must be faithful in marriage and manage their children and households well. It applies the same domestic faithfulness required of overseers.
Overview
Paul requires deacons to be 'husbands of one wife' and to lead their families well. As with overseers, the home reveals fitness for service. Faithfulness in marriage and household management marks those entrusted with serving the church.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- 1 Tim 3:2The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;
- 1 Tim 3:4–5one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence;
- Phil 1:1Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants:
- 1 Tim 3:8Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money;
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Original language
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