"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"
The Work And Qualifications Of Deacons (3:8-13)
INTRODUCTION
1. Having described the work and qualifications of those who serve as
'bishops' (1Ti 3:1-7), he does the same for 'deacons' - 1Ti 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; 1Ti 4:6
2) 'servant' - e.g., Jn 12:26; Ro 16:1
3) 'deacon' - e.g., 1Ti 3:8,12; Php 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" - 1Ti 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 - Php 1:1
b. Their qualifications as found in our text - 1Ti 3:8-13
2. A congregation that was completely and scripturally organized
- e.g., Php 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) - 1Ti 3:8
2. Holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience - 1 Ti 3:9
a. 'Mystery' means that which had been concealed or hidden, but
was now revealed - cf. Ro 16:25-26; Ep 3:3-5
b. 'The faith' refers to that which is believed, i.e., the
gospel - cf. Jude 3
c. 'With a pure conscience' - without hypocrisy - cf. 1Ti 1:19
d. 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.
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
3. Tested (proved), being found blameless - 1Ti 3:10
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
4. Husband of one wife - 1Ti 3:12
5. Ruling children and house well - 1Ti 3:12
a. Must have children
b. Must have them under control - cf. 1Ti 3:4
B. SPECIFIC NEGATIVE QUALIFICATIONS...
1. Not double-tongued - 1Ti 3:8
a. "Speaking one thing to one person, and another thing to
another, on the same subject." - Clarke
b. "This is hypocrisy and deceit. This word might also be
translated liars." - ibid.
2. Not given to much wine (not addicted to much wine) - 1Ti 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) - 1Ti 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.
4. 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. 1Ti 2:11-12; 1Co 14:34-37
c. Many churches have women who serve in unofficial capacities,
just as they do men
5. Whether the wives of deacons, deaconesses, or women in general,
they should be:
a. Reverent (grave, dignified, serious) - 1Ti 3:11; cf. 3:8
(of deacons)
b. Not slanderers (not malicious gossips) - 1Ti 3:11; cf. 5:13
(of young widows)
c. Temperate (sober) - 1Ti 3:11; cf. 3:2 (of elders)
d. Faithful in all things - 1Ti 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. 1Jn 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" (1Th 5:13), and if called to serve, to do so with
reverence and humility...
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016
