The Work And Qualifications Of Deacons

(Tim 3:8-13)

INTRODUCTION

1. Having described the work and qualifications of those who serve as 'bishops' (1 Ti 3:1-7), he does the same for 'deacons' - 1 Ti 3:8-13

2. The word 'deacon' comes from the Greek word diakonos...

a. Lit., it means "one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master" – Thayer

b. In the NT, it is variously translated as:

1) 'minister' - e.g., Ro 13:4; 1 Ti 4:6

2) 'servant' - e.g., Jn 12:26; Ro 16:1

3) 'deacon' - e.g., 1 Ti 3:8,12; Ph 1:1

c. It is evidently used in our text in a technical sense, a position or service performed by duly qualified individuals

3. Paul says those deacons who serve well "obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith" - 1 Ti 3:13

a. What exactly was the 'work' of a deacon in the New Testament church?

b. How did the required 'qualifications' prepare them for this work?

[Consider first...]

I. THE WORK OF DEACONS

A. IN THE ORGANIZATION OF NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES..

.

1. The actual reference to deacons in the New Testament is very limited

a. Paul's salutation to the church in Philippi - Ph 1:1

b. Their qualifications as found in our text - 1 Ti 3:8-13

2. A congregation that was completely and scripturally organized - e.g., Ph 1:1

a. Contained a plurality of qualified men serving as bishops (elders, pastors)

b. They were assisted by qualified men serving as deacons

B. IN THE SERVICE OF NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES...

1. It is generally supposed they were servants to assist the elders in temporal matters

a. "Their office seemed to have been to look after the temporal matters of the church, and especially to care for the poor and the widows." - B. W. Johnson

b. "The word here evidently denotes those who had charge of the temporal affairs of the church, the poor, etc." – Barnes

c. "...the character of their qualifications makes it clear that they were to be appointed as dispensers of alms, who should come into close personal relations with the poor." - ISBE

2. Many believe the first mention of deacons or their prototype is found in Ac 6:1-6

a. Though the seven selected are not so named

b. Their service allowed the apostles to focus on spiritual matters

3. It was not the work of deacons to preach per se

a. "No qualifications are mentioned, implying that they were to be preachers of the gospel." – Barnes

b. "It is not the work of deacons to preach, although some deacons may be preachers also. (cf. Ac 6:5; 8:4,5; 21:8)" - H. E. Phillips (Scriptural Elders And Deacons)

[The work of deacons "is to administer to the physical needs of the church" (Phillips). It is an important work that requires qualified servants...]

II. THE QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACONS

A. SPECIFIC POSITIVE QUALIFICATIONS...

1. Reverent (grave, serious, men of dignity) - 1 Ti 3:8

i. 1 Tim. 3:8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.

ii. Holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience - 1 Ti

1. 3:91 Tim. 3:9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

b. 'Mystery' means that which had been concealed or hidden, but was now revealed - cf. Ro 16:25-26; Ep 3:3-5

i. Romans 16:25-26 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages [26] but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—

ii. Ephes. 3:3-5 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. [4] When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, [5] which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

c. 'The faith' refers to that which is believed, i.e., the gospel –

i. Jude 1:3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

d. 'With a pure conscience' - without hypocrisy - cf. 1 Ti 1:19

i. Hypocrisy 1 Tim. 1:19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,

e. A deacon "should hold firmly the great doctrines of the Christian religion which had been so long concealed from people, but which were now revealed. The reason is obvious.

f. Though not a preacher, yet his influence and example would be great, and a man who held material error ought not to be in office." – Barnes

2. Tested (proved), being found blameless - 1 Ti 3:10

1 Tim. 3:10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.

a. Before being officially appointed as 'deacons' let them show themselves to be servants who are dependable, trustworthy

b. Note the qualification "of good reputation" - cf. Ac 6:3

3. Husband of one wife - 1 Ti 3:12

a. 1 Tim. 3:12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.

4. Ruling children and house well - 1 Ti 3:12

a. Must have children

b. Must have them under control - cf. 1 Ti 3:4

B. SPECIFIC NEGATIVE QUALIFICATIONS...

1. Not double-tongued - 1 Ti 3:8

a. 1 Tim. 3:8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.

b. "Speaking one thing to one person, and another thing to another, on the same subject." – Clarke

c. "This is hypocrisy and deceit. This word might also be translated liars." - ibid.

2. Not given to much wine (not addicted to much wine) - 1 Ti 3:8

a. "It may be remarked here, that this qualification was everywhere regarded as necessary for a minister of religion." – Barnes

b. "Even the pagan priests, on entering a temple, did not drink wine. Bloomfield." -ibid.

c. The use of wine, and of strong drinks of all kinds, was absolutely prohibited to the Jewish ministers of every rank when they were about to engage in the service of God; Lev 10:9." - ibid.

d. "Why should it then be anymore proper for a Christian minister to drink wine than for a Jewish or a pagan priest? Shall a minister of the gospel be less holy than they?" - ibid.

3. Not greedy for money (greedy of filthy lucre, fond of sordid gain) - 1 Ti 3:8

a. "Men who are covetous and unscrupulous as to modes of getting money are not to be chosen." - B. W. Johnson

b. "The special reason why this qualification was important in the deacon was, that he would be entrusted with the funds of the church, and might be tempted to appropriate them to his own use instead of the charitable purposes for which they were designed; see this illustrated in the case of Judas, Jn 12:6." – Barnes

C. QUALIFICATIONS FOR WIVES (NKJV), OR WOMEN (ASV, NASB)...

1. The Greek word gune can mean either:

a. "a woman of any age, whether a virgin, or married, or a widow" – Thayer

b. "a wife; of a betrothed woman" - ibid.

2. There is a diversity of views as to what Paul has reference

a. The wives of deacons (and perhaps also wives of elders)- e.g., Barnes, Gill

b. Women who serve as 'deaconesses'- e.g., Chrysostom, JFB

c. Women in general - e.g., Clarke

3. Those who believe it refers to female deacons (deaconesses) note the following:

a. Phoebe is called a 'servant' (the female form of diakonos) of the church - Ro 16:1-2

b. The post-apostolic church makes reference to 'deaconesses', who ministered to other women at baptisms, the widows, etc.- Apostolic Constitutions, ca 390 A.D.

5. My own observations:

a. NT evidence is not sufficient to require deaconesses

b. NT evidence is not sufficient to condemn deaconesses, provided their service does not violate limitations placed on women elsewhere - cf. 1 Ti 2:11-12; 1 Co 14:34-37

c. Many churches have women who serve in unofficial capacities, just as men

6. Whether the wives of deacons, deaconesses, or women in general, they should be:

a. Reverent (grave, dignified, serious) - 1 Ti 3:11; cf. 3:8 (of deacons)

b. Not slanderers (not malicious gossips) - 1 Ti 3:11; cf. 5:13(of young widows)

c. Temperate (sober) - 1 Ti 3:11; cf. 3:2 (of elders)

d. Faithful in all things - 1 Ti 3:11; cf. 5:10 (of elderly widows)

CONCLUSION

1. Those who serve well as deacons will be greatly blessed, for they will obtain...

a. 'a good standing' - highly regarded by the Lord, cf. Mt 20:25-28

b. 'great boldness in the faith' - confidence or assurance, cf. 1 Jn 4:17

2. Thus the work of deacons should not be lightly regarded...

a. By those who would be asked to so serve

b. By those who are served by them

In the words of Paul, we should "esteem them highly in love for the work's sake" (1 Th 5:13), and if called to serve, to do so with reverence and humility...

Modified from Mark Copeland