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He may not be a young scholar, lest he (being puffed up) falls into the condemnation of the devil.

He must also be of good reputation, even among outsiders, lest he fall into rebuke and the snare of the devil.

Likewise, deacons must be honorable—not duplicitous or given to much wine or to greed—

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He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited(A) and fall under the same judgment(B) as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,(C) so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.(D)

In the same way, deacons[a](E) are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine,(F) and not pursuing dishonest gain.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:8 The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in verse 12; and in Romans 16:1 and Phil. 1:1.