1 Timothy makes reference to women deacons?

[nohornets33]

Here is 1 Timothy 3:8-13
“Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain, holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Moreover, they should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. Women, similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in everything. Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and their households well. Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.”

I provided the entire paragraph incase anyone needs context clues. The paragraph before this one quoted explains qualifications for bishops. My footnotes say that it could possibly refer to wives of deacons, but more likely refers to women deacons because “women” would have been replaced with “deacons’ wives” and the use of the word “similarly” unites them with deacons and bishops, possibly implying ecclesiastical functions.

Does anyone have further insight on this passage?

 

[Nita]

From the commentary footnotes of the Geo. Haydock (Douay) Bible:
haydock1859.tripod.com/id229.html
Ver. 11. Women, &c. By the Greek again, sober, grave, &c. By these women are commonly understood such as had made a vow of not marrying, and who assisted at the baptism of women; (Witham) i.e. deaconesses, who were women charged with the assistance, and sometimes with the instruction, of persons of their own sex. (Bible de Vence) — Not given to detraction,[5] or calumnies, as in the Greek. A necessary admonition. (Witham)

 

[Nita]

From “Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma” by Fr. Ott under “The Receiver of the Sacrament of Order” (p459 & 460 in my book):
…
In the Early Christian Church the deaconesses formed a special rank, which approached that of the clergy, and, according to the Apostolic Constitutions (VIII 19 et seq.), and the Imperial Legislation (Justinian), they were even ranked with the clergy. They were consecrated by a rite peculiar to them, according to the Apostolic Constitutions (VIII 19 et seq.), with imposition of hands and prayer. ** But they were denied priestly functions**. Cf. St. Hippolytus, Trad. Apost. Conc. Nic. can 19; St. Epiphanius, Haer. 79,3; Const. Apost. VIII 28,6. Their principal duties were to assist at the Baptism of women and to care for the poor and sick.
…

(Bolding mine.)

 

[VetA]

Here is 1 Timothy 3:8-13
“Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain, holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Moreover, they should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. Women, similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in everything. Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and their households well. Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.”

I provided the entire paragraph incase anyone needs context clues. The paragraph before this one quoted explains qualifications for bishops. My footnotes say that it could possibly refer to wives of deacons, but more likely refers to women deacons because “women” would have been replaced with “deacons’ wives” and the use of the word “similarly” unites them with deacons and bishops, possibly implying ecclesiastical functions.

Does anyone have further insight on this passage?

[BIBLEDRB]1 Timothy 3:8-13[/BIBLEDRB]

when i look at this in context i think not of woman-deacons, but of the wives of the bishops and deacons…

 

[autdrew]

When I was in RCIA, I asked this question. One explanation I was given was that back in those days, you were baptized without a garment or a white garment. For modesty sake, women couldnt be baptized by men so they had women deacons. When the church had been established for awhile & infant baptisms became the norm, this was no longer a concern & the deaconesses were not needed.