12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.
12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
12 Servants in the church are to be committed to their spouses, attentive to their own children, and diligent in looking after their own affairs.
12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:12
Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:8-13
(Read 1 Timothy 3:8-13)
The deacons were at first appointed to distribute the charity of the church, and to manage its concerns, yet pastors and evangelists were among them. The deacons had a great trust reposed in them. They must be grave, serious, prudent men. It is not fit that public trusts should be lodged in the hands of any, till they are found fit for the business with which they are to be trusted. All who are related to ministers, must take great care to walk as becomes the gospel of Christ.