Women!

Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. (1 Timothy 3:11)

There is truly a difference of opinion on the translation of this passage. Who is being spoken of… the wives of deacons or deaconesses or even women in general?

I do not see the "women in general" interpretation considering the context; the verse is immediately surrounded by deacon qualifications. We find a few references to deaconesses in the early church so Paul could be addressing them. The context would lend itself to either a deacon's wife or a deaconess but I lean with the deacon's wife interpretation agreeing with Albert Barnes' conclusion and support (see his notes on verse 11 here).

Paul writes they must be four things. The more literal translation of the word lends itself easily the best understanding of each point. These are from NAS Exhaustive Concordance:

• Dignified. (Lit. venerable)
  
• Not Malicious Gossips. (Lit. not slanderous)
  Note: Strong's is even more literal saying, "a traducer; specifically Satan" in the sense that he is the false accuser.
  
• Temperate. (Lit. sober)
  Note: the inclusion of "but" in the NASB unnecessarily contrasts soberness with gossiping. There is no conjunction present in the Greek texts or in many English translations.
  
• Faithful. (Lit. trustworthy)
  

Paul is pointing to the need for a deacon's wife to also be of good character in order for her husband to hold the office. The reason for this should be somewhat obvious. They are one flesh. They rarely hide information one from another. It is curious to me, therefore, that Paul does not mention a wife's qualifications in these regards when listed elder qualifications. Certainly an elder is exposed at least as much confidential information as a deacon, perhaps even more.

I'm big on confidentiality in ministry.