1 Timothy 3:11 11Likewise, women must be worthy of respect, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in all things.
This verse stands out and interrupts the list for deacons by addressing the women in the church. This has raised questions about who these women were in relation to the deacons. The word for women (gynaikas) can be interpreted as generic for females or more narrowly as wives. The question becomes, is Paul addressing the wives of the deacons or women who were serving as deacons? There is no Greek word for the English “deaconess,” so the second option is possible. What is clear is that these women had a clear role of leadership in the church. Their specific ministry is unstated in these verses.As leaders, they should also meet a certain standard to serve in that role. There were particular social expectations and duties in the first century that could only be done by women to be accepted as honorable and respectful by the culture.
First, like the deacons in verse 9, these women should be worthy of respect. They should live in an honorable and respectful way that attracts people to Jesus. The specific ways of gaining respect are hinted in 2:9-10, including how the women dressed and how they communicated. The second quality specifically addresses speech. The should not be slanderous or malicious talkers. The word is the same used for “devil” (diabolous) and refers to talk that is deceitful and dishonest. Slander can be an outcome of gossip. The women should be honest, open, and careful about what they say. The third quality, temperate, is similar to the overseers in verse 2 and the deacons in verse 8. Drinking too much wine was a social issue at that time, as it is today for some people. Alcoholism was been a problem for millennia. Temperance will lead to self-control and careful living. Addiction to intoxicants can create many relational, personal, and health related problems. Finally, the last quality is a catchall: faithful in all things. This quality is a matter of personal integrity and dependability. What the woman says she will do, she will carry it out. What she claims is true can be verified. The foundation for this integrity is faithfulness to the gospel. Integrity results from living out one’s faith.
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