1 Timothy 3:8

διακόνους ὡσαύτως : s.c. δεῖ εἶναι.

For ὡσαύτως, see on 1 Timothy 2:9.

σεμνούς : grave. “The word we want is one in which the sense of gravity and dignity, and of these as inviting reverence, is combined” (Trench). See note on 1 Timothy 3:2. The term is used in reference to women workers and old men.

μὴ διλόγους : Persons who are in an intermediate position, having in the same department chiefs and subordinates, are exposed to a temptation to speak of the same matter in different tones and manner, according as their interlocutor is above or below them. So Theodoret, ἕτερα μὲν τούτῳ ἕτερα δὲ ἐκείνῳ λέγοντες. Polycarp (§ 5) has the same phrase of deacons. Lightfoot there suggests the rendering tale-bearers. Perhaps insincere. Cf. δίγλωσσος, Proverbs 11:13, etc.

μὴ οἴνῳ πολλῷ προσέχοντας : Less ambiguously expressed than νηφάλιος in the case of the episcopus. A similar direction is given about women, Titus 2:3, μὴ οἴν. πολ. δεδουλωμένας.

μὴ αἰσχροκερδεῖς : This negative qualification is demanded of the episcopus in Titus 1:7. See reff. The rendering not greedy of filthy lucre is unnecessarily strong; the αἰσχρότης consists, not in the source whence the gain comes, but in the setting of gain before one as an object in entering the ministry. Not greedy of gain expresses the writer's meaning. The κέρδος becomes αἰσχρόν when a man makes the acquisition of it, rather than the glory of God, his prime object. On the other hand, the special work of deacons was Church finance; and no doubt they had to support themselves by engaging in some secular occupation. They would thus be exposed to temptations to misappropriate Church funds, or to adopt questionable means of livelihood. If such circumstances were contemplated, not greedy of filthy lucre might be an allowable rendering. In Crete, the episcopus would seem to have also performed the duties of the deacon; consequently he is required to be μή αἰσχροκερδής.

ἔχοντας : See note on chap. 1 Timothy 1:19.