“Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;”
King James Version (KJV)
3:8 Likewise the deacons must he serious - Men of a grave, decent, venerable behaviour. But where are presbyters? Were this order essentially distinct from that of bishops, could the apostle have passed it over in silence? Not desirous of filthy gain - With what abhorrence does he everywhere speak of this! All that is gained (above food and raiment) by ministering in holy things is filthy gain indeed; far more filthy than what is honestly gained by raking kennels, or emptying common sewers.
1Ti 3:8 Likewise [must] the deacons. The ancient church understood that the seven appointed in Acts were the first deacons (Ac 6:5). They were not called deacons, but filled a diaconate. In Php 1:1 we find deacons existing. Their office seemed to have been to look after the temporal matters of the church, and especially to care for the poor and the widows (Ac 6:1,2). Not doubletongued. Not saying one thing to one man, and another thing to others. Not greedy of filthy lucre. Men who are covetous and unscrupulous as to modes of getting money are not to be chosen.