1 Timothy 3:11 The Women

1 Timothy 3:11 In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

Who are these women? Are they the deacons wives? Given that not all deacons would necessarily be married it may be that what Paul is thinking about a group of women in the church who carried out various diaconal roles. Every church has them. Because the Bible uses the word women to describe them they have never gained the more distinctive recognition that deacons and elders have in most churches. Paul requires four things of these women - that they be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. In brief compass he covers the bases, referring to their standing, their use of the tongue, their self control and their trustworthiness. Such characteristics are vital in women who serve the churches. These women will often be wives of the deacons but will often include single women. Whether a church wants to formalise this and call them deaconesses or lady workers is a matter for debate. The important thing is that women who play an important role in the life of the church are of the calibre prescribed here.