Wives

1Timothy 3:11-13 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For 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. 

‘Wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.’ Four qualifications for women: Grave [Greek: semnos] Translated as “grave” (3:4; Tit. 2:2) and “honest” (Php. 4:8). Not slanderers (3:11) [Greek: diabolos] devils, adversary, false accuser, and slanderer (3:11; 2Tim. 3:3; Tit. 2:3). In John 6:70 it reveals Judas as an adversary of Christ. The word is otherwise used for satan who is an adversary of God and man (John 8:44). No gossip can ever be allowed as an example to God’s flock and must be avoided at all cost (Pro. 11:13; 17:9; 25:9). Sober [Greek: nephaleos] not drinkers of wine – to be sober at all times is a command to anyone who claims to follow Christ (1Thess. 5:6; 8; Tit. 2:2,4,6; 1Pet. 1:13; 5:8), thus no drinking of alcohol! Faithful in all things. These qualifications apply to wives of bishops, deacons, deaconesses, and Christian women in general.

‘Used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.’ Two great rewards for faithful deacons: Purchase a good degree [Greek: peripoieomai] to preserve, acquire, keep safe, and protect for oneself a good degree or rank among Christians (3:13; Acts 20:28). Great boldness in the faith [Greek: parrhesia] freedom of speech. Translated “boldness of speech” (2Cor. 7:4); “plainness of speech” (2Cor. 3:12); “freely” (Acts 2:29); “confidence” (Acts 28:31; Heb. 3:6; 10:35; 1Jn. 2:28; 3:21; 5:14); “boldness” and “boldly” (John 7:26; Acts 4:13, 29, 31; Eph. 3:12; 6:19; Php. 1:20; Phm. 1:8; Heb. 4:16; 10:19; 1Jn. 4:17); “openly” (Mark 8:32; John 7:4, 13; 11:54; 18:20; Col. 2:15); and “plainly” (John 10:24; 11:14; 16:25, 29).