1 Timothy 3:10
New International Version
They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

New Living Translation
Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.

English Standard Version
And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.

Berean Standard Bible
Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.

Berean Literal Bible
And these also, let them be tested first; then let them serve, being blameless.

King James Bible
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

New King James Version
But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.

New American Standard Bible
These men must also first be tested; then have them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.

NASB 1995
These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.

NASB 1977
And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.

Legacy Standard Bible
And these men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.

Amplified Bible
These men must first be tested; then if they are found to be blameless and beyond reproach [in their Christian lives], let them serve as deacons.

Christian Standard Bible
They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And they must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons.

American Standard Version
And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And those who are such should be first proved and then let them serve, being without fault.

Contemporary English Version
They must first prove themselves. Then if no one has anything against them, they can serve as officers.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And let these also first be proved: and so let them minister, having no crime.

English Revised Version
And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
First, a person must be evaluated. Then, if he has a good reputation, he may become a deacon.

Good News Translation
They should be tested first, and then, if they pass the test, they are to serve.

International Standard Version
But they must first be tested. Then, if they prove to be blameless, they may become ministers.

Literal Standard Version
and let these also first be proved, then let them minister, being unblameable.

Majority Standard Bible
Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.

New American Bible
Moreover, they should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

NET Bible
And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless.

New Revised Standard Version
And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons.

New Heart English Bible
Let them also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, if they are blamesless.

Webster's Bible Translation
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

Weymouth New Testament
And they must also be well-tried men, and when found to be of unblemished character then let them serve as deacons.

World English Bible
Let them also first be tested; then let them serve if they are blameless.

Young's Literal Translation
and let these also first be proved, then let them minister, being unblameable.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Qualifications for Deacons
9They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons. 11In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.…

Cross References
Colossians 1:22
But now He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence--

1 Timothy 5:22
Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.


Treasury of Scripture

And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

let these.

1 Timothy 3:6
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

1 Timothy 5:22
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

use.

1 Timothy 3:13
For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Acts 6:1,2
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration…

being.

1 Timothy 3:2
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

1 Corinthians 1:8
Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:22
In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

Jump to Previous
Blameless Character Deacon Deacons First Found Minister Office Prove Proved Reproach Serve Test Tested Themselves Unblameable Unblemished Use
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Blameless Character Deacon Deacons First Found Minister Office Prove Proved Reproach Serve Test Tested Themselves Unblameable Unblemished Use
1 Timothy 3
1. How bishops, deacons, and their wives should be qualified;
14. and to what end Paul wrote to Timothy of these things.
15. Of the church, and the blessed truth therein taught and professed.














(10) And let these also first be proved.--No formal investigation, either in public before the congregation, or in private before Timothy and his fellow presbyters, is here referred to. What is most probably the meaning of the word is--the deacon should for a time perform many of the various duties on probation, to test his fitness before he was formally set apart for the holy office. So much of the work belonging to these officials of the early Church necessarily partook of a partially secular character, that such a trial of their fitness could well be made.

Then let them use the office of a deacon.--Better rendered, let them serve as deacons, if, after the trial, inquiry, and period of probation, they be found blameless.

Verse 10. Serve as deacons for use the office of a deacon, A.V.; if they be for being found, A.V. And let these also, etc. There is an ambiguity in the English here. It is not" these also" - these in addition to others, i.e. the bishops before named - but "these be also first proved." Their general character, as described in vers. 8, 9, must not be taken upon loose hearsay, but must be put to the test by examination, by special testimony, by inquiry, and then, if they are ἀνέγκλητοι, not accused, not open to just blame, blameless, let them be admitted to serve as deacons (see ver. 13, note). The Church of England scrupulously acts up to these directions by requiring written testimonials, by personal inquiries made by the bishop, by the Si quis, by the appeal to the congregation in the Ordination Service, "Brethren, if there be any of you who knoweth any impediment, or notable crime, in any of these persons presented to be ordained deacons, for the which he ought not to be admitted to that office, let him come forth in the name of God, and show what the crime or impediment is;" as well as by the careful examination of the candidates. Blameless (comp. Titus 1:6, 7); ἀνέγκλητος, rendered in the Vulgate nullum crimen habentes (which seems to explain the "notable crime" of the Ordination Service), and in Colossians 1:22 "unreprovable" both in the A.V. and the R.V. The whole passage, from ver. 2 to ver. 13, shows the supreme importance of a holy and blameless conversation in the clergy.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Additionally,
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they
οὗτοι (houtoi)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

must first be tested.
δοκιμαζέσθωσαν (dokimazesthōsan)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1381: From dokimos; to test; by implication, to approve.

Then,
εἶτα (eita)
Adverb
Strong's 1534: A particle of succession, then, moreover.

if they are
ὄντες (ontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

above reproach,
ἀνέγκλητοι (anenklētoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 410: Irreproachable, blameless. Unaccused, i.e. irreproachable.

let them serve as deacons.
διακονείτωσαν (diakoneitōsan)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1247: From diakonos; to be an attendant, i.e. Wait upon (figuratively) teacher; technically, to act as a Christian deacon.


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NT Letters: 1 Timothy 3:10 Let them also first be tested (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm)
1 Timothy 3:9
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