1 Timothy 3:8

א* and 3 cursives omit σεμνούς here, but it is unquestionably part of the primitive text.

8. διακόνους. The plural number is, perhaps, significant, in contrast to τὸν ἐπίσκοπον of 1 Timothy 3:2. See on διάκονοι Introd. p. lxvii.

ὡσαύτως. In like manner; the δει εἷναι of the preceding verses is, of course, to be supplied.

σεμνούς. See note on 1 Timothy 2:2.

μὴ διλόγους. This word is only found here in the Greek Bible; διλογεῖν, διλογία occur in Xenophon in the sense of repetition, and thus δίλογοι here may be equivalent to (a) talebearers. But (b) the meaning is probably akin to that of δίγλωσσος (Proverbs 11:13; Sir 5:9), viz. double-tongued. Ad alios alia loquentes is Bengel’s paraphrase, excellent as usual. Such a habit would be fatal to the usefulness of an official whose duties would necessarily bring him into close and frequent association with all classes. Polycarp (§ 5) notes that the deacons are not to be δίλογοι, an obvious reminiscence of this passage.

προσέχοντας. St Paul only uses this verb in the Pastorals (but cp. Acts 20:28); addicted to gives the sense here. Again, the appropriateness of such a caution is plain, when the house-to-house visitation entailed by the office of the διάκονος is remembered.

μὴ αἰσχροκερδεῖς. Not greedy of base gains, as at Titus 1:7; Titus 1:11; cp. also 1 Peter 5:2. The reference is plainly to the illicit disposal of Church funds, a temptation which would specially press upon those concerned with the distribution of alms. See also on Titus 1:11.