| Barnes' Notes on the Bible Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife - notes, 1 Timothy 3:2. Ruling their children and their own houses well - notes, 1 Timothy 3:4-5.
Clarke's Commentary on the BibleLet the deacons be the husbands of one wife - This is the same that is required of the bishops. See on 1 Timothy 3:2 (note) 1 Timothy 3:4 (note), and 1 Timothy 3:5 (note).
Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleLet the deacons be the husbands of one wife,.... See Gill on 1 Timothy 3:2. ruling their children and their own houses well. These qualifications are the same with those of the bishop or elder; See Gill on 1 Timothy 3:4.
Geneva Study Bible{5} Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. (5) They that have than one wife, at one time, must neither by called to be ministers, nor to be deacons.
People's New Testament 3:12 The husbands of one wife. The same Greek word, gune, is used in the Greek here for wife that is used in 1Ti 3:11. On one wife, see PNT 1Ti 3:2. Ruling their children and their own houses. See notes on 1Ti 3:4,5.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary12. husbands of one wife-(See on [2470]1Ti 3:2). ruling their children-There is no article in the Greek, "ruling children"; implying that he regarded the having children to rule as a qualification (1Ti 3:4; Tit 1:6). their own houses-as distinguished from "the Church of God" (see on [2471]1Ti 3:5). In the case of the deacons, as in that of the bishops, he mentions the first condition of receiving office, rather than the special qualifications for its discharge. The practical side of Christianity is the one most dwelt on in the Pastoral Epistles, in opposition to the heretical teachers; moreover, as the miraculous gifts began to be withdrawn, the safest criterion of efficiency would be the previous moral character of the candidate, the disposition and talent for the office being presupposed. So in Ac 6:3, a similar criterion was applied, "Look ye out among you seven men of honest report." Less stress is laid on personal dignity in the case of the deacon than in that of the bishop (compare Notes, see on [2472]1Ti 3:2,3).
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary3:8-13 The deacons were at first appointed to distribute the charity of the church, and to manage its concerns, yet pastors and evangelists were among them. The deacons had a great trust reposed in them. They must be grave, serious, prudent men. It is not fit that public trusts should be lodged in the hands of any, till they are found fit for the business with which they are to be trusted. All who are related to ministers, must take great care to walk as becomes the gospel of Christ. | 
