1 Timothy 3:10

καὶ … δέ. And … also; i.e. the διάκονοι no less than the ἐπίσκοποι.

δοκιμαζέσθωσαν πρῶτον. Let them first be proved. This does not refer to any formal examination of the candidates for the diaconate, either by Timothy or by the officers of the Church, so much as to the general verdict of the community concerning their life and conversation. The qualities enumerated in 1 Timothy 3:8-9 are such as would be patent to observation. So Clem. Rom. (§ 42) has δοκιμάσαντες τῷ πνεύματι and (§ 44) διαδέξωνται ἕτεροι δεδοκιμασμένοι ἄνδρες.

εἶτα διακονείτωσαν�. Then let them serve as deacons, if no charge is brought against them.