1 Timothy 3:11

“Even so must their wives be grave, etc.] Some instead of “wives” read “women”, and understand them of deaconesses, such as were in the primitive churches; whose business it was to visit the poor and sick sisters of the church, and take care of things belonging to them; but it is better to interpret the words of the wives of the deacons, who must be as their husbands, “grave” in speech, gesture, and dress, of an honest report, a good behaviour, and chaste conversation; which will reflect honour and credit to their husbands: not slanderers; or accusers, and so act like devils, as the word is sometimes rendered; for should they act such a part, and accuse either the poor, or any of the members…”

“their wives--rather, "the women," that is, the deaconesses. For there is no reason that special rules should be laid down as to the wives of the deacons, and not also as to the wives of the bishops or overseers. Moreover, if the wives of the deacons were meant, there seems no reason for the omission of "their" (not in the Greek). Also the Greek for "even so" (the same as for "likewise," Ti1 3:8, and "in like manner," Ti1 2:9), denotes a transition to another class of persons. Further, there were doubtless deaconesses at Ephesus, such as PhÅ“be was at Cenchrea (Rom 16:1, "servant," Greek, "deaconess"), yet no mention is made of them in this Epistle if not here; whereas, supposing them to be…”

“Even so must their wives be grave - Chrysostom, Theophylact, Grotius, Bloomfield, and many others, suppose that by the word “wives,” here, (γυνᾶικας gunaikas), the apostle means “deaconesses.” Clarke supposes that it refers to women in general. The reason assigned for supposing that it does not refer to the wives of deacons, as such, is, that nothing is said of the qualifications of the wives of bishops - a matter of as much importance as that of the character of the wife of a deacon; and that it cannot be supposed that the apostle would specify the one without some allusion to the other. But that the common interpretation, which makes it refer to the wives of deacons, as such, is to be…”

“Faithful in all things - Both to God, their husbands, and the poor. 1 Timothy 3:13”

“3:11 their wives (or the women deacons): The Greek word can be translated women or wives. In favor of their wives, 3:8-13 is a discussion of male deacons; switching to “women deacons” would disrupt the flow of thought. However, there might have been women deacons in the early church (see Rom 16:1). In that case, this verse might parallel 1 Tim 3:8.”

“their: Lev 21:7, Lev 21:13-15; Eze 44:22; Luk 1:5-6; Tit 2:3 be: Ti1 3:4 not: Psa 15:3, Psa 50:20, Psa 101:5; Pro 10:18, Pro 25:13; Jer 9:4; Mat 4:1; Joh 6:70; Ti2 3:3; Tit 2:3 \*Gr: Rev 12:9, Rev 12:10 sober: Ti1 3:2; Th1 5:6-8; Ti2 4:5; Tit 3:2 \*Gr: Pe1 5:8 faithful: Ti1 1:12, Ti1 6:2 1 Timothy 3:12”