coined the word “deaconesses.” This interpretation indeed seems to fit the context better, especially since Paul did not outline qualifications for the “wives” of elders/overseers—an even more strategic role in the church. However, church leaders have taken this one step further and concluded that Paul was referring to three “offices” in his letter to Timothy—elders/overseers, male deacons, and female deacons. This is interesting, as the term “office” is never used in the New Testament either to