Likewise signals the fact that deacons are as important as bishops and must also have good character and exemplary qualifications.

The qualifications of deacons start off with what looks like a generic term, followed by three prohibitions and several positive traits. First of all, then, deacons must be serious. This is the same word used in 3.4 (there translated “respectful”). The term in fact includes a wide range of meanings: dignified, worthy of respect, having a good character (compare Good News Translation), high principled, honorable, “dignified” (Revised English Bible), “respectable” (New Jerusalem Bible).

The first prohibition is not double-tongued. To be double-tongued is to be insincere, not trustworthy, indulging in harmful gossip, spreading different versions of the same story, saying one thing to one person and something entirely different to another. The meaning may be expressed positively; for example, Good News Translation “sincere,” Translator’s New Testament “They must mean what they say.” Most languages will have one or more figurative or idiomatic expressions for the idea of double-tongued.

The second prohibition is not addicted to much wine. Here again, as in the case of the “bishops,” the emphasis is not on abstinence from wine but on moderation (see the discussion on 1 Tim. 3.3).

Thirdly, deacons must not be greedy for gain. Some form of dishonesty is included in the meaning of the term; so New International Version “pursuing dishonest gain.” It is very likely that deacons were involved in the administration of food and funds to widows and other needy members of the community and therefore were prey to temptations of embezzlement and other forms of dishonesty. In many languages translators will find Good News Translation‘s “not greedy for money” a good model. One may also express this as “must not be overly concerned with getting money,” or figuratively, “must not be money-hungry.”

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .