1 Timothy 3

1 Timothy · Chapter 3

1 Timothy 3:8

1This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.10And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.11Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.13For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.14These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:15But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

After listing what a bishop (overseer) must be like (3:1-7), Paul turns to deacons with "likewise." This verse starts their list: serious, honest in speech, not given to much wine, and not greedy for dishonest money. The list continues through verse 13. 1 Timothy 3:11 Timothy 3:21 Timothy 3:71 Timothy 3:81 Timothy 3:13Strong's G5615

SpeakingPaul the apostle, who names himself at the start of the letter. Many critical scholars think a later follower wrote in his name. 1 Timothy overview

ToTimothy, Paul's younger co-worker, whom Paul left to lead the church at Ephesus. 1 Timothy overview

Also involvedDeacons, church servants who are listed alongside bishops. The same pairing appears in the greeting of Philippians. 1 Timothy 3:8Philippians 1:1Strong's G1249

The verse sets character standards for deacons. They must be serious and worthy of respect, say the same thing to everyone, not be given to much wine, and not chase dishonest gain. The last two also appear in the bishop's list in 3:3. 1 Timothy 3:81 Timothy 3:3Strong's G4586Strong's G1351Strong's G0146

The instructions are for the church at Ephesus, a wealthy port city and capital of the Roman province of Asia. Paul may have written from Macedonia, but the letter does not say. 1 Timothy overview

ACHAIAASIAGALATIAAegean SeaEphesusLaodiceaMiletusPhilippiThessalonicaCorinth

The eventsThe letter gives instructions for an existing church with set offices. It does not describe a single event. Nero was emperor in this period. 1 Timothy overview

WrittenTraditional view: about AD 62-64, between Paul's two Roman imprisonments. Scholarly view: many critical scholars date it around AD 80-110, though others defend the earlier date. 1 Timothy overview

HerePaul wants Timothy to know how people should behave in "the house of God, which is the church of the living God." Setting qualifications for leaders is part of that. 1 Timothy 3:141 Timothy 3:151 Timothy overview

In the whole of ScriptureA major theme of the letter is that belief and behavior belong together, and church leaders must be people of proven character. Deacons must also "first be proved" before serving. 1 Timothy overview1 Timothy 3:91 Timothy 3:10

For readersPeople who serve in the church are measured first by character: honest speech, self-control, and a clean relationship with money. Verse 13 says those who serve well gain "great boldness in the faith." 1 Timothy 3:81 Timothy 3:13

Christians read this differently

The verse is cited on both sides of the debate about alcohol. Some read "not given to much wine," together with Paul telling Timothy to "use a little wine" (5:23), as allowing moderate drinking. Others point to warnings like Leviticus 10:9 and read the verse as encouraging abstinence. 1 Timothy 3:81 Timothy 5:23Leviticus 10:9

  • deaconsδιάκονος
    Greek · diakonos · G1249

    The Greek word simply means a servant or attendant. It is used of Christ's servants generally as well as this church role. A deacon is, at root, someone who serves. Strong's G1249

  • graveσεμνός
    Greek · semnos · G4586

    It means grave, serious, worthy of respect. The same word describes the women in 3:11. Strong's G45861 Timothy 3:11

  • doubletonguedδίλογος
    Greek · dilogos · G1351

    Literally "two-worded." It describes someone who says one thing to one person and something else to another. This word appears only here in the New Testament. Strong's G1351

  • given toπροσέχω
    Greek · prosechō · G4337

    The verb means to turn one's mind to or attend to. The warning is against being devoted to much wine, rather than simply against wine as such. Strong's G4337Strong's G3631Strong's G4183

  • greedy of filthy lucreαἰσχροκερδής
    Greek · aischrokerdēs · G0146

    The word joins "shameful" and "gain." It warns against seeking money by base or dishonest means. That matters for people who may handle church affairs. Strong's G0146

Takeaway

This verse is a character test for church servants, not a standalone rule. It asks for people who are serious, honest in speech, self-controlled, and clean in money matters, and who have been proved before they serve. 1 Timothy 3:81 Timothy 3:101 Timothy overview

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-22.

The world around the text

About AD 62-64. Roman emperor: Nero (AD 54-68). Where Timothy was when Paul wrote. A port city on the west coast of today's Turkey and the greatest market of the province of Asia.

Who ruled
  • Roman emperorNeroAD 54-68

    Emperor over the whole Roman world, including Ephesus, Macedonia and Judea. When Paul appealed to Caesar as a Roman citizen, the Caesar was Nero. Paul tells Timothy to have prayers made "for kings, and for all that are in authority." Acts 25:10-12Acts 28:161 Timothy 2:1-2Suetonius, NeroTacitus, Annals 13-16

  • Governor of the province where Ephesus stoodThe proconsul of AsiaOne-year terms

    Asia was governed by a proconsul, a former consul appointed by the Senate for a year at a time, who heard cases in the province's leading cities. During the riot in Ephesus the town clerk reminded the crowd that "the law is open, and there are deputies" (proconsuls). Acts 19:38-39Strabo, Geography 17.3.25

  • Jewish client kingHerod Agrippa IIc. AD 50-90s

    Ruled territories north and east of Galilee under Rome and had the right to appoint the high priest in Jerusalem. He heard Paul's defense with Festus and told him, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Acts 25:13Acts 26:28Josephus, Antiquities 20.179, 20.203

  • Roman governors of JudeaFestus, Albinus and Florusc. AD 59-66

    Porcius Festus sent Paul to Rome and died in office around AD 62. Lucceius Albinus (62-64) and Gessius Florus (64-66) followed; Josephus blames Florus's greed and brutality for pushing Judea into revolt. Acts 24:27Acts 25:12Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203, 20.252-258Josephus, Jewish War 2.271-308

  • King of ParthiaVologases Ic. AD 51-78

    Ruler of the Parthian empire east of the Euphrates, Rome's one great rival. He fought Rome over Armenia until a settlement in AD 63 let his brother Tiridates rule Armenia as Rome's client. Tacitus, Annals 15.1-17, 15.24-31Cassius Dio, Roman History 62.19-23

What was happening, AD 58 to AD 68
  1. AD 58-63
    WarRome and Parthia fight over Armenia

    Roman armies under Corbulo took the Armenian capitals Artaxata and Tigranocerta. In AD 62 a second Roman army under Paetus surrendered at Rhandeia, and in AD 63 the two empires made peace. Tacitus, Annals 13.34-41, 14.23-26, 15.1-17, 15.24-31

  2. AD 60
    DisasterEarthquake destroys Laodicea

    Laodicea, about 150 km (95 miles) east of Ephesus in the same province, was ruined by an earthquake and rebuilt from its own wealth without help from Rome. Paul's letters mention the church there, and Revelation later quotes the city's boast, "I am rich." Tacitus, Annals 14.27Colossians 4:13-16Revelation 3:17

  3. AD 60-61
    WarBoudica's revolt in Britain

    Boudica, queen of the Iceni, led a rising that burned Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London) and Verulamium before the Roman governor Suetonius Paulinus defeated her. Tacitus, Annals 14.29-39

  4. c. AD 60-62
    The churchPaul under guard in Rome

    Paul lived two whole years in Rome under house arrest, receiving visitors and preaching openly. The traditional date for 1 Timothy places it soon after his release. Acts 28:16Acts 28:30-31

  5. c. AD 61-63
    DiscoveryNero's expedition up the Nile

    Nero sent a party of soldiers to find the source of the Nile. They travelled far beyond Egypt and reached vast marshes they could not cross, likely the Sudd in today's South Sudan. The date is approximate. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.8.3-4Pliny, Natural History 6.181

  6. AD 62
    The churchJames, the Lord's brother, is killed in Jerusalem

    Festus died in office. Before the next governor arrived, the high priest Ananus had "James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ" and others stoned. Ananus was removed after three months. Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203Galatians 1:19Acts 15:13

  7. AD 62 or 63
    DisasterEarthquake hits Pompeii

    An earthquake badly damaged Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy, seventeen years before Vesuvius buried them. Seneca dates it to AD 62; Tacitus to AD 63. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.1Tacitus, Annals 15.22

  8. c. AD 62
    DiscoveryHero of Alexandria's machines

    The engineer Hero of Alexandria, whose work is dated by an eclipse of AD 62 he describes, wrote up a steam-spun sphere (the aeolipile) and a coin-operated machine that dispensed water in temples. Hero, Pneumatics 1.21, 2.11Hero, Dioptra 35

  9. c. AD 63-64
    BuildingJerusalem's temple is finished

    Work on the temple Herod began around 20 BC was completed under Albinus, leaving some 18,000 workers without jobs. Six years later Roman armies destroyed it, as Jesus had foretold. Josephus, Antiquities 20.219-222John 2:20Luke 21:5-6

  10. July AD 64
    DisasterThe Great Fire of Rome

    Fire burned for days. Of Rome's fourteen districts, three were destroyed and seven badly damaged. Nero then built his vast Golden House on the cleared land. Tacitus, Annals 15.38-43Suetonius, Nero 31, 38

  11. AD 64
    The churchNero blames and kills Christians

    To end rumours that he had started the fire, Nero blamed the Christians of Rome. Tacitus records a "vast multitude" put to death, some torn by dogs and some burned as torches. Tacitus, Annals 15.44Suetonius, Nero 16.2

  12. AD 65
    RulersA plot against Nero fails

    The Pisonian conspiracy to kill Nero was betrayed. Among those forced to take their own lives was Seneca, Nero's former tutor and the brother of Gallio, the governor who dismissed the case against Paul in Corinth. Tacitus, Annals 15.48-74Acts 18:12-17

  13. AD 66
    WarThe Jewish revolt begins

    After Florus seized money from the temple treasury, Jerusalem rose against Rome and the daily sacrifice offered for the emperor was stopped. The war ended with Jerusalem and its temple destroyed in AD 70. Josephus, Jewish War 2.293-308, 2.409-410Luke 21:20-24

  14. AD 66-67
    BuildingNero tours Greece and starts a canal at Corinth

    Nero competed in the Greek games and broke ground for a canal across the Isthmus of Corinth. The work stopped after his death; the canal was finally cut in 1893. Suetonius, Nero 19, 22-24

  15. c. AD 67
    The churchPaul's death in Rome

    In his last letter Paul writes from prison that "the time of my departure is at hand." Early Christian tradition says he was beheaded in Rome under Nero. 2 Timothy 4:6-8Eusebius, Church History 2.25

  16. June AD 68
    RulersNero dies

    Facing revolt in the provinces and declared an enemy by the Senate, Nero took his own life. Four emperors ruled in turn during the following year before Vespasian took power. Suetonius, Nero 47-49Tacitus, Histories 1.2

The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then the ancient historians who wrote about these years (Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, Seneca, Pliny the Elder, Strabo, Cassius Dio). Dates are as those writers give them; approximate dates say so. Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
DeaconsΔιακόνουςDiakonousG1249
servant

διάκονος (diakonos) διάκονος, -ου, ὁ, ἡ (derivation unknown), [in LXX for נַעַר, שָׁרַת pi.: Est.6:3, 5, א B Est.1:10 2:2, Pro.10:4, 4Ma.9:17 * ;] 1. in general, a servant, attendant, minister: Mat.20:26 22:13 23:11, Mrk.9:35 10:43, Jhn.2:5, 9, 1Co.3:5, Gal.2:17, Eph.6:21, Col.4:7; δ. θεοῦ, Rom.13:4, 2Co.6:4, 1Th.3:2; δ. Χριστοῦ, 2Co.11:23, Col.1:7, 1Ti.4:6; cf. ὁ δ. ὁ ἐμός, Jhn.12:26; δ. περιτομῆς, Rom.15:8; δ. καινῆς διαθήκης, 2Co.3:6; δ. δικαιοσύνης, 2Co.11:15; δ. [εὐαγγελίου], Eph.3:7, Col.1:23; δ. [ἐκκλησίας], Col.1:25. …

likewiseὡσαύτωςhōsautōsG5615
likewise

ὡσαύτως (hōsautōs) ὡσαύτως adv., strengthened for ὡς (in Hom, at the beginning of a clause, in the form ὣς δ᾽ αὔτως, later in one word), in like manner, just so, likewise: Mat.20:5 21:30, 36 25:17, Mrk.14:31, Luk.13:5 20:31, Rom.8:26, 1Ti.5:25, Tit.2:6; with verb to be supplied from context, Mrk.12:21, Luk.22:20, 1Co.11:25, 1Ti.2:9 3:8 3:11, Tit.2:3.† (AS)

[must be] dignified,σεμνούς,semnousG4586
noble

σεμνός (semnos) σεμνός, -ή, -όν (σέβομαι), [in LXX: Pro.6:8 8:6 15:26, 2Ma.6:11 2Mac 6:28 2Mac 8:15, 4Ma.5:36 4Mac 7:15 4Mac 17:5 * ;] 1. reverend, august, venerable, in cl. of the gods and also of human beings. 2. grave, serious; of persons: 1Ti.3:8 3:11, Tit.2:2; of things: Php.4:8 (see Tr., Syn., § xcii; Cremer, 37; MM, xxii).† (AS)

notμὴmēG3361
not

μή (mē) μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] I. As a neg. adv., not; 1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. 2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. …

double-tongued,διλόγους,dilogousG1351
insincere

δίλογος (dilogos) διλογος, -ον (δίς, λέγω), 1. in sense of διλογεῖν, -ία (Xen.), given to repetition. 2. In NT, prob. (cf. δίγλωσσος, Pro.11:13, Sir.5:9) double-tongued: 1Ti.3:8.† (AS)

notμὴmēG3361
not

μή (mē) μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] I. As a neg. adv., not; 1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. 2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. …

to wineοἴνῳoinōG3631
wine

οἶνος (oinos) οἶνος, -ου, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for יַיִן also for תִּירוֹשׁ, etc. ;] wine; Mat.9:17, Luk.1:15, Jhn.2:3, al.; οἴνῳ προσέχειν, 1Ti.3:8; δουλοῦσθαι, Tit.2:3. Metaphorical, Rev.14:8, 10 16:19 17:2 18:3 19:15. By meton. for ἄμπελος, Rev.6:6 (AS)

muchπολλῷpollōG4183
much

πολύς (polus) πολύς, πολλή, πολύ, [in LXX chiefly for רַב and cognate forms ;] 1. as adj., much, many, great, of number, space, degree, value, time, etc.: ἀριθμός, Act.11:21; ὄχλος, Mrk.5:24; θερισμός, Mat.9:37; χόρτος, Jhn.6:10; χρόνος, Mat.25:19; γογγυσμός, Jhn.7:12; πόνος, Col.4:13; δόξα, Mat.24:30; σιγή, Act.21:40; pl., προφῆται, Mat.13:17; ὄχλοι, Mat.4:25; δαιμόνια, Mrk.1:34; δυνάμεις, Mat.7:22, …

being given,προσέχοντας,prosechontasG4337
to watch out

προσέχω (prosechō) προσ-έχω [in LXX for קָשַׁב hi., שָׁמַר ni., etc. ;] 1. to turn to, bring to (frequently ναῦν, expressed or understood, to bring to port, land; Hdt., al.). 2. τ. νοῦν, before dative, to turn one's mind to, attend to; in Xen. and later writers with νοῦν omitted (El., § 53, 1; 81, 1): Act.8:6 16:14, Heb.2:1, 2Pe.1:19; in sense of caring or providing for, Act.20:28; π. ἑαυτῷ, to give heed to oneself (M, Pr., 157; cf. Gen.24:6, Exo.10:28, al.): Luk.17:3 21:34, Act.5:35; id. before ἀπό (M, Pr., 102; B1., § 34, 11; 40, 3; see: βλέπω), Luk.12:1; (without dative) Mat.7:15 10:17 16:6, 11-12, Luk.20: …

notμὴmēG3361
not

μή (mē) μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] I. As a neg. adv., not; 1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. 2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. …

greedy of dishonest gain,αἰσχροκερδεῖς,aischrokerdeisG0146
greedy

αἰσχροκερδής (aischrokerdēs) αἰσχροκερδής, -ες (αἰσχρός, κέρδος), greedy of base gains: 1Ti.3:3,8 Abbot-Smith omits 1Ti.3:3, Tit.1:7.† (AS)

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.