given to hospitality - a lover of hospitality (Titus 1:8)
meeting the needs of the saints (Romans 12:13)
apt to teach - in meekness instructing those that "oppose
themselves" who are caught in the "snare of the devil" (II Timothy 2:24-26 cf. Galatians 6:1)
The apostle discourages these negative qualities (I Timothy 3:3):
NOT given to wine, which perverts the judgment of those
who rule (Proverbs 31:4-5)
NOT a striker or a brawler filled with malice, BUT rather
one who is patient and forgiving - kind and tender hearted as Christ is to the Church (Ephesians 4:31-32)
NOT greedy of filthy lucre (covetous) equating personal
gain with godliness (I Timothy 6:5), rather than having godly contentment which is "great gain"
(I Timothy 6:6)
The apostle exhorts proof of church leadership qualification
as in the case of a man who rules well his own house (I Timothy 3:4-5)
As an assistant overseer, a deacon is given the same admonitions
as an overseer (I Timothy 3:8):
He must NOT be double-tongued (two-faced), BUT provide
all things honest before all men (II Corinthians 8:21)
He must NOT be controlled by wine, which impairs judgment(Proverbs 31:4-5)
He must NOT be greedy for money - "the love of money
is the root of all evil" (I Timothy 6:10)
The apostle emphasizes the need for a deacon to "hold
the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience" (I Timothy 3:9)
Faithfulness is what God requires for one who is entrusted
with dispensing the "mysteries of God" (I Corinthians 4:1-2), which ensures a good conscience concerning the ministry (II Corinthians 4:1-2)
Paul declares at the end of his ministry that he "fought
a good fight", i.e. he "kept the faith" (II Timothy 4:7)
Wives must be faithful in ALL things, i.e. minding the
things of Christ (Philippians 2:3-5,19-22)
Deacons like the bishops (overseers) must rule their own
houses well BEFORE they can be entrusted with the rule of the congregation (I Timothy 3:12 cf. I Timothy 3:4-5)
The apostle commends deacons as "having great boldness
in the faith" (I Timothy 3:13)