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1 Timothy 3:12

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Timothy 3:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling [their] children and their own houses well.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling [their] children and their own houses well.
1 Timothy 3:12 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Timothy 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless.
11Women in like manner [must be] grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
12Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling [their] children and their own houses well.
13For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly;
15but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, etc.] (See Gill on “<540302>1 Timothy 3:2”) ruling their children and their own houses well. These qualifications are the same with those of the bishop or elder; (see Gill on “<540304>1 Timothy 3:4”).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“husbands of one wife--(See on Ti1 3:2). ruling their children--There is no article in the Greek, "ruling children"; implying that he regarded the having children to rule as a qualification (Ti1 3:4; Tit 1:6). their own houses--as distinguished from "the Church of God" (see on Ti1 3:5). In the case of the deacons, as in that of the bishops, he mentions the first condition of receiving office, rather than the special qualifications for its discharge. The practical side of Christianity is the one most dwelt on in the Pastoral Epistles, in opposition to the heretical teachers; moreover, as the miraculous gifts began to be withdrawn, the safest criterion of efficiency would be the previous moral…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife - notes, 1 Timothy 3:2. Ruling their children and their own houses well - notes, 1 Timothy 3:4-5. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Ti1 3:2, Ti1 3:4, Ti1 3:5 1 Timothy 3:13”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Timothy 3 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification