1 Timothy 3:12 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

¹² Deacons should be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own family affairs well.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

¹² Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹² Let deacons be the husbands of but one wife, and let them manage [their] children and their own households well.

American Standard Version (1901)

¹² Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

Common English Bible

¹² Servants must be faithful to their spouse and manage their children and their own households well.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹² Deacons should be the husband of one wife, men who lead their own children and their own houses well.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

¹² Let deacons be the husbands of one wife: who rule well their children, and their own houses.

1 Timothy 3:12 Cross References

Philippians 1:1

[This letter is from] Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, [and is being sent] to all the saints [i.e., God’s holy people] who are at Philippi [Note: This is a town in present-day northeastern Greece, and the first place in Europe where Paul established Christianity], along with the overseers [Note: These men were also called elders, shepherds or pastors] and deacons.

1 Timothy 3:2

Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of [only] one wife, sober-minded [Note: When this word, used here figuratively, is used in its literal sense, it means to abstain from intoxicating drinks], sensible, respectable, hospitable, capable of teaching.

1 Timothy 3:8

Similarly, deacons should be serious-minded [i.e., dignified], not saying one thing while meaning another, not drinking a lot of wine [Note: The wine of Paul’s day was used as a common drink, and was either non-intoxicating or far less intoxicating than wine today], not wanting to get money by questionable [or, dishonest] means.