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.