1st Timothy Chapter 3 verse 10 Holy Bible
And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless.
read chapter 3 in ASV
And let these first be put to the test; then let them become Deacons if there is nothing against them.
read chapter 3 in BBE
And let these be first proved, then let them minister, being without charge [against them].
read chapter 3 in DARBY
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
read chapter 3 in KJV
read chapter 3 in WBT
Let them also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, if they are blameless.
read chapter 3 in WEB
and let these also first be proved, then let them minister, being unblameable.
read chapter 3 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 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.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(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.
