Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Deacons. The singular, on the other hand, is used of the "bishop" (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7, where "presbyters" (plural) precedes). The deacons were chosen by the people. Cyprian ('Epistle,' 2: 5) says that good bishops never departed from the old custom of consulting the people. The deacons answer to the chazzan of the synagogue; the ministers, or subordinate coadjutors of the presbyter (as Timothy himself was to Paul, 1 Timothy 4:6; Philemon 1:13; and John Mark, Acts 13:5). "Helps," 1 Corinthians 12:28. Their duty was to read the Scriptures in church, to instruct the catechumens, to assist the presbyters at sacraments, to receive oblations, to preach and instruct. As the chazzan covered and uncovered the ark in the synagogue containing the law, so the deacon in the ancient church put the covering on the communion table. (See Chrysostom, 19, 'Homily ou Acts;' Theophylact on Luke 19:1-48; and Balsaman on Canon 22:, 'Council of Laodicea.') The appointing of "the seven" in Acts 6:1-15, as almoners, does not perhaps describe the first appointment of deacons. At least the chazzan previously suggested it. And the Greek names of all seven imply that they were to uphold the claims of the Gentile widows, those of the Hebrew widows being already, it is likely, maintained by Hebrew deacons.
Double tongued, х dilogous (G1351)] - 'of double speech:' saying one thing to one, and another to another (Theodoret). The extensive contact that deacons would have with members of the church might tempt to such a fault (Proverbs 20:19).
Not greedy of filthy (base) lucre - not abusing a spiritual office to subserve covetousness (1 Peter 5:2). The deacon's office of collecting and distributing alms would render this a necessary qualification.