3:12 {5} Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
(5) They that have than one wife, at one time, must neither by called to be ministers, nor to be deacons.
3:12 The husbands of one wife. The same Greek word, gune, is used in the Greek here for wife that is used in 1Ti 3:11. On one wife, see PNT 1Ti 3:2.
Ruling their children and their own houses. See notes on 1Ti 3:4,5.
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.
