Note 1 at 1 Tim. 3:8: The word likewise means "in the same manner, similarly." Paul is saying that the requirements for deacons are similar to those of bishops, which he just listed.

Yet, Paul lists some requirements that are unique to each office. One noticeable difference is that the bishops must be "apt to teach." This is because a bishop ministers spiritual things while a deacon ministers to people in a physical way. Therefore, a bishop must be able to minister God's Word, but deacons do not have this same responsibility.

Here is a list of requirements that are common to both bishops and deacons: (1) they both are to be blameless; (2) both are to be the husbands of only one wife; (3) both are to rule their homes well; (4) they cannot be given to wine; (5) they cannot be in it for the money; (6) they cannot be novices.

Here is a list of the requirements that are unique to the bishops: (1) vigilant; (2) sober, which means self-controlled (see note 8 at 1 Tim. 3:2, p. 1280); (3) good behavior; (4) hospitable; (5) apt to teach; (6) no striker (i.e. gentle) (see note 13 at 1 Tim. 3:3, p. 1280); (7) patient; (8) not a brawler; (9) not covetous; (10) has to have a good report from unbelievers.

Here is a list of things that are unique to deacons: (1) grave; (2) not doubletongued; (3) has to hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience;

Requirements for wives of bishops: (1) grave; (2) not slanderers; (3) sober; (4) faithful.

No doubt, some of these differences are not really differences at all, but simply another way of stating the same requirement. For instance, the requirement for the deacon to hold "the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience," means that he must have good behavior just like the bishops are required to have.

Deacons are mentioned by that name a total of five times in scripture. Four of those times are in 1 Timothy 3 in the list of their qualifications for that office. The only other mention of them by that name is in Philippians 1:1 when Paul sends his greetings to all the bishops and deacons in the church at Philippi.

It is supposed by most Bible scholars that the six men who were elected by the Jerusalem church to tend to the widows in the church were deacons (Acts 6:1-6). If that is so, then the information about Stephen (Acts 7) and Philip (Acts 8, 21) would give us further insight into the life of a deacon.

Note 2 at 1 Tim. 3:8: The English word "deacons" is derived from the Greek word DIAKONOS and originally meant menial tasks such as "running errands, waiting on tables and other menial duties" (Strong). The word came to mean a "humble servant who served in the Lord's church" (Vine).

The Greek word for "deacon" is also translated "minister" thirteen times (Mt.20:26; Mk. 10:43; Rom. 13:4; 15:8; Gal. 2:17; Eph. 3:7; 6:21; Col. 1:7, 23, 25; 4:7; 1 Th. 3:2; 1 Tim. 4:6), "ministers" five times (1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 3:6; 6:4; 11:15, 23), "servant" four times (Mt. 23:11; Mk. 9:35; Jn. 12:26; Rom. 16:1) "servants" three times (Mt. 22:13; Jn. 2:5, 9) and "deacons" three times (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8, 12).

In Romans 13:4, this Greek word is translated "minister" and applied to government officials. Romans 15:8 applies this word to Jesus calling Him a "minister of the circumcision." The Apostle Paul applied this word to himself (1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 3:6; 2 Cor. 6:4; 2 Cor. 11:23; Eph. 3:7; Col. 1:23, 25), to Appolos (1 Cor. 3:5), to Tychicus (Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7), to Epaphras (Col. 1:7), and to Timothy (1 Th. 3:2).

This same Greek word was applied to Phebe in Romans 16:1 which has led many to consider her a deaconess (see note 2 at Rom. 16:1, p. 848).

Note 3 at 1 Tim. 3:8: The Greek word SEMNOS was translated "grave" in this verse. According to Strong's Concordance this means, "venerable, i.e. honorable." It was translated "honest" in Philippians 4:8. The New International Version translates this verse as "Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect. . . ." The Today's English Version translates this as ". . . have a good character and be sincere."

Note 4 at 1 Tim. 3:8: A deacon is not to be "doubletongued." "Doubletongued" is translated from the Greek verb DILOGOS and means "telling a different story" (Strong). It came to mean "saying one thing to one person and giving a different view of it to another" (Vine). A deacon must not lie or say different things to different people about the same thing.

Note 5 at 1 Tim. 3:8: A deacon is not to be given to much wine.

Paul started this verse with the word "likewise" which means these are similar requirements to those he gave for the bishops (see note 1 at this v.). Therefore, his statement about the deacons being not given to MUCH wine could be a further commentary on the bishops being not given to wine (see note 12 at 1 Tim. 3:3, p. 1280).

A deacon must not have a reputation of being a drinker.

Note 6 at 1 Tim. 3:8: A deacon is not to be greedy for money. This qualification is relevant to the kind of responsibilities that deacons have. Deacons often handle finances and distribute them to the poor. It is a necessity that they be free from the love of money (1 Tim. 6:10).