1 Timothy 3:12

12 Let deacons be married only once, and let them manage their children and their households well;

1 Timothy 3:12 Meaning and Commentary

1 Timothy 3:12

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife,
&c.] (See Gill on 1 Timothy 3:2)

ruling their children and their own houses well.
These qualifications are the same with those of the bishop or elder; (See Gill on 1 Timothy 3:4).

1 Timothy 3:12 In-Context

10 And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons.
11 Women likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things.
12 Let deacons be married only once, and let them manage their children and their households well;
13 for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that,

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Gk [be husbands of one wife]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.