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Originally Posted by SRoper Why do the requirements for deacons in 1 Tim. 3 specifically include having a virtuous wife while the requirements for elder do not? This seems to be the strongest argument that 3:11 is talking about female deacons rather than the wives of deacons, and I do not know how best to answer it.

11Even so must their [deacon's] wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

13For 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.