1 Timothy 3:8 - Exposition

Deacons in like manner must for likewise must the deacons , A.V. Grave ( σεμνούς ); in Philippians 4:8 rendered "honest" in the A.V., and "honourable" in the R.V., and "venerable" in the margin. None of the words are satisfactory, but "honest" in the sense of honnete , i.e. "respectable," "becoming the dignity of a man," comes nearest to the meaning of σεμνός . ἄνηρ σεμνός is a man who inspires respect by his conduct and deportment. It occurs again in Philippians 4:11 and in Titus 2:2 . Double-tongued ( διλόγους ); only here in the New Testament, or indeed anywhere. The verb διλογεῖν and the noun διλογία are found in Xenophon and Diodorus Siculus, but in a different sense—"to repeat," "repetition." Here δίλογος is used in the sense of δίγλωσσος ( Proverbs 11:13 ; Ecclus. 28:13), "a slanderer," "a false-tongued man," who, as Theophylact (ap. Schleusner) well explains it, thinks one thing and says another, and says different things to different people. The caution here given is of incalculable importance to young curates. They must not allow themselves to be either receptacles or vehicles of scandal and detraction. Their speech to rich and poor alike must be perfectly sincere and ingenuous. Not given to much wine. The effect of the best sermon may be undone, and more than undone, if the preacher sinks into the pot-companion of his hearers. He at once ceases to be σεμνός , to inspire respect (comp. Titus 2:3 where the additional idea, most true, of the slavery of drunkards, is introduced). Greedy of filthy lucre ( αἰσχροκερδεῖς ); only here and in Titus 2:3 (T.R.) and Titus 1:7 . The adverb αἰσχροκερδῶς occurs in 1 Peter 5:2 , and is one of many points of resemblance between the pastoral Epistles and 1 Peter. Balsam, Gehazi, and Judas Iscariot are the three prominent examples of professed servants of God being lovers of filthy lucre. Achan ( Joshua 7:21 ) is another (see 1 Timothy 6:10 ). When lucre is the price for doing wrong, it is "filthy." When lucre is sought on occasions where none is due, it is "filthy;" and when the desire of even just gains is excessive, it ceases to be clean.