1 Timothy 3:8

Likewise. Even as the office of bishop, or minister, has certain requisites, so also has the office of deacon.

Deacons. See on Mark 9:35. For a discussion of the function and historical development of the deaconate see Vol. VI, pp. 25, 26.

Grave. Gr. semnos, “worthy of honor,” “dignified.” For the related noun see on ch. 2:2.

Not doubletongued. That is, does not say one thing to one person and the contrary to someone else. Every church officer should be a peacemaker, not a scandal-bearer or troublemaker. It may have been this word that prompted John Bunyan to name one of the characters in Pilgrim’s Progress “Mr. Two-tongues.”

Wine. Gr. oinos, “wine,” whether new or fermented. Some hold that Paul here speaks of unfermented wine — grape juice — because for him to speak otherwise would place him in conflict with his declaration against defiling the body (see on 1 Cor. 6:19; 10:31), and contrary to the general teaching of the Bible regarding intoxicating drink (see on Prov. 20:1; 23:29-32; John 2:9). Others hold that Paul here permits a temperate use of ordinary wine. They declare that if he were speaking of grape juice he would not need to warn the deacons against drinking “much” of it, and would have no valid basis for forbidding the elders to drink it at all. The passage is admittedly difficult. See on Deut. 14:26; cf. on 1 Tim. 5:23.

Not greedy of filthy lucre. Or, “not eager for dishonorable gain.” The Christian should always be above taking advantage of anyone, even though he may not be guilty of breaking any specific law in so doing. Furthermore, he does not use the privilege of his office to do favors for indirect personal gain. Money is not his chief goal in life.