Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
1 Timothy 3:8-13 – Structure
NASB
A – MALE DEACONS 8) Deacons [diakonos] likewise must be men [added] of dignity [semnos], not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, 9) but holding to the mystery of the faith [pistis] with a clear conscience.
B – BEFORE APPOINTMENT 10) These [houtos] men [added] must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons [diakoneō for entire phrase “serve as deacons] if they are beyond reproach.
C – FEMALES (DEACONS?) 11) Women [gunē] must likewise [hōsautōs] be dignified [semnos], not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful [pistos] in all things.
A’ – MALE DEACONS 12) Deacons [diakonos] must be husbands [anēr] of only one wife [gunē], and good [kalōs] managers of their children and their own households.
B’ – AFTER APPOINTMENT 13) For those [ho] who have served well [kalōs] as deacons [diakoneō for entire phrase “served…as deacons] obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith [pistis] that is in Christ Jesus.
A,A’ – Repeated Words: diakonos (vv.8,13); pistis (vv.9,13)
B,B’ – Repeated Words: diakoneō (vv.10,13); Related Words: houtos (v.10) and ho (v.13)
A,C – While A is male deacons (and not all deacons due to the the use of likewise/hosautos); the women/wives are given the same character trait (vv.8,11).
A,C,B’ – A and B’ use pistis while C uses pistos. A refers to males, and C to females, and B’ appears to be a conclusion referring to all.
Interpretations of C – That it is in the middle of a section obviously on deacons means there must be a connection to that topic. The two main interpretations are: 1) Gune should be translated women and mean female deacons; 2) Gune should be translated wives and refers to the wives of the deacons. This seems unlikely since there are no qualifications given for elder’s wives; although some argue it implies qualifications for elders’ wives. A third possibility is gune should be translated wives but should be understood to mean the female deacons, like the male deacons, must also be married.
Comments