"Wives, likewise have requirements" or "deaconesses, there are requirements like deacons." The general term <b>women</b> may apply to women in general, but it seems to apply to deacons' wives or female deacons here because the preceding and following verses clearly speak about deacons.
Possible meanings are 1) a reputation within the Church or 2) a standing before God or 3) a promotion in rank in the Church, e.g., to the standing of bishop.
"gain … great courage to speak about their faith" or "become confident that what they believe is true" or "become confident before men and God because they know what they believe is true" or "acquire … great courage to speak about what they believe in"