1 Timothy 3:8

8 In the same way, deacons^[a] are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.

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1 Timothy 3:8 in Other Translations

KJV

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

ESV

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.

NLT

8 In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money.

MSG

8 The same goes for those who want to be servants in the church: serious, not deceitful, not too free with the bottle, not in it for what they can get out of it.

CSB

8 Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money,

1 Timothy 3:8 Meaning and Commentary

1 Timothy 3:8

Likewise must the deacons be grave
The apostle proceeds to give the qualifications, and so the rules for choosing another sort of officers in the church, deacons; whose work and business is, not to preach the Gospel, and administer ordinances; but to take care of the secular affairs of the church, and particularly to serve tables; to provide the bread and wine for the Lord's table, to attend at it, and distribute the elements from the minister to the people, to collect for it, defray the charges of it, and divide what remains among the poor; and they are to take care of the minister's table, that he is provided for in a comfortable way, and to stir up the members to their duty in this respect; and to take care of the poor's table, and distribute what the church collects for them, with simplicity and cheerfulness; and are to be helps to the pastor, in observing the walk of members, in composing differences between them, in visiting the sick and poor, and in preparing matters for church meetings. Their characters are, that they be "grave"; in their speech, gesture, and dress; honest, and of good report among men; and chaste in their words and actions; all which may be signified by the word here used; and the latter may be rather hinted at, because of Nicholas, one of the first deacons, who was charged with uncleanness:

not doubletongued;
whose hearts and tongues do not agree together; and who, being a sort of middle persons between the pastor and the members of the church, say one thing to one, and another to the other; which to do is of bad consequence: or who speak well to the poor when they apply to them, and promise them to do them all the service they can, and when it comes to the upshot speak against them:

not given to much wine;
which impairs the health, stupefies the mind, and so renders unfit for any such office, as well as wastes the temporal estate; and may lead them to embezzle and consume the church's stock:

not greedy of filthy lucre;
for such would withhold from the poor that which is meet for them, and make use of money in their hands, to their own advantage.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

1 Timothy 3:8 In-Context

6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.

7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.

9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

Cross References 2

1. Philippians 1:1
2. 1 Timothy 5:23; Titus 1:7; Titus 2:3

Footnotes 1

[a]. The word "deacons" refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in verse 12; Romans 16:1 and Phil. 1:1.