Perhaps the most debated and difficult area to interpret in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 is verse eleven and the discussion concerning whether women in general are discussed or wives. It must be noted from the beginning that there is no easy answer and church history from even its early stages has seen both views held.[1] The problem lies within the fact that the term translated “women” (NASB) can also be translated “wives” (KJV, NIV). Greek does not use a distinct word for wives as opposed to women; the context must help one to determine which the author of the passage intended. Knight proposes four prominent viewpoints as to how this has been viewed throughout church history. These four views include:
· Women who are part of the deacon body – i.e., women deacons.
· A distinct group of leaders from that of Overseers and Deacons known as “Deaconnesses”
· Female assistants to the deacons.
Arguments for the first view are significant. The use of the word, “likewise” is used in the chapter to denote discussions of new groups of individuals (3:8). Also, the normal manner for Paul to indicate that he is speaking about a wife in contrast to a woman in general is to provide a possessive pronoun so that the phrase would read, “their own wife/wives,” or “your wife,” which he does not do here (cf., Colossians 3:19; Ephesians 5:25). However, the term likewise, while admittedly marking a change in the discussion, does not demand that one see that the verse refer to another leader, but merely that Paul is making a distinction between the deacons he is addressing in verses 8-10, 12-13. Also, Paul does not have to use a personal qualifier to mean “wife” (3:2, 12; 5:9; Titus 1:6).
There are more definitive reasons to believe that Paul is making reference here to wives of deacons rather than any of the other three options mentioned above. Most significantly is where Paul places the discussion of “wives/women” in the discussion of the qualifications of deacons. It is sandwiched in between a discussion clearly discussing deacons who are male (3:12). Women are not referred to in this section as deaconnesses (although a feminine term could have been used to describe them as such). The placement of verse 11 in regard to wives/women in between the discussion of male deacons also suggests that verse eleven is another mark of a character qualification necessary for those who would serve as deacons. Why would this be so, in light of the fact that the wives of the overseers are not mentioned in the discussion of their qualifications (vv 1-7)? Deacons are those who provide much more of the “hands-on” and applicational aspects of the ministry. Their wives would no doubt be directly involved in the actual serving aspects of their functions as deacons, whereas, Paul has already stated earlier in 1 Timothy 2:9-15, that women were not allowed to engage in the public teaching ministry which is the chief characteristic of those who serve as overseers. In other words, an overseer’s wife would not directly involve herself in the public teaching ministry of her husband, in the sense that she also would be teaching with him, whereas, Paul seems to indicate that the deacon’s wife should be and would be directly engaged in the service aspect of the ministry with him.
Also of note is the fact that if verse eleven referred to women deacons, why is there no mention of her need to be a one-man kind of woman, just as the overseers and deacons were to be one-woman-kind of men (3:2, 12). Paul uses a similar qualification for widows who were to be supported by the church (5:9). Clearly Paul makes marital fidelity a qualification for anyone who would hold any form of official position in the church; why then not for women if they can serve as deacons. Since this very qualification of being a one-woman-kind of man is mentioned concerning male deacons just after verse 11, it seems inappropriate to assume that it would not equally be necessary for those who would serve as women deacons, if that is what Paul had in mind. It seems best therefore to understand verse 11 as a description of the wives of deacons rather than women deacons.
Paul concludes his comments concerning deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 by stating that “those who serve well as deacons”[3] are those who will acquire for themselves a good standing and a tremendous confidence in regard to the Christian faith found in Christ alone. The position of deacons is valued highly by Paul and should also be so valued among the community of faith.
