In setting forth qualifications for deacons, Paul pivots toward addressing qualifications for “women.” Some have argued that he was referring to the wives of deacons and thus setting forth a qualification for married male deacons. The structure of the text indicates that Paul addressed deacon qualifications in general in verses 8-10 and that in verse 11 he pivots toward women deacons and their qualifications followed up in verse 12 with qualifications for male deacons. This message defends the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America’s position on women deacons from 1 Timothy 3:11, Romans 16:1-2, and from church history.
11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.
1 timothy 3:11