1 Timothy 3:12

12 Servants in the church are to be committed to their spouses, attentive to their own children, and diligent in looking after their own affairs.

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 Let them prove themselves first. If they show they can do it, take them on.
11 No exceptions are to be made for women - same qualifications: serious, dependable, not sharp-tongued, not overfond of wine.
12 Servants in the church are to be committed to their spouses, attentive to their own children, and diligent in looking after their own affairs.
13 Those who do this servant work will come to be highly respected, a real credit to this Jesus-faith.
14 I hope to visit you soon, but just in case I'm delayed, I'm writing this letter so
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.