1 Timothy 3:12

12 A deacon must be true to his one wife, and rule his children and his own household wisely and 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 they must also be well-tried men, and when found to be of unblemished character then let them serve as deacons.

11 Deaconesses, in the same way, must be sober-minded women, not slanderers, but in every way temperate and trustworthy.

12 A deacon must be true to his one wife, and rule his children and his own household wisely and well.

13 For those who have filled the deacon's office wisely and well, are already gaining for themselves an honourable standing, and are acquiring great freedom of speech in proclaiming the faith which rests on Christ Jesus.

14 All this I write to you, though I am hoping before long to come to see you.