Deacons

Most of the attention is focused on elders when a congregation tries to organize itself according to 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, but there are qualifications for deacons (and their wives), also. The word that is translated “deacons” is the Greek word diakonos. It appears 30 times in the New Testament, but only three times does it refer to the special work of a deacon: Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:8, 12. In all three instances, it is found in the plural.

Just as the word elder has a special meaning when referring to the work of a bishop or overseer and a general meaning when simply used of an older man, so diakonos has the specific meaning of a deacon and the general meaning of “servant” (7 times in the King James) or “minister” (20 times). In the general sense of the word, Paul said that he was a minister of the gospel (Eph. 3:6-7; Col. 1:23). So were Timothy (1 Tim. 4:6); Tychicus (Col. 4:7; Eph. 1:21), Epaphras (Col. 1:7), and Apollos (1 Cor. 3:5). Phoebe was a servant of the church (Rom. 16:1). Paul argues that Christ was not a minister of sin (Gal. 2:17); however, He was a minister to the circumcision for the truth of God (Rom. 15:8).

Returning to the specific sense of the office of a deacon, let us now consider the nine qualifications required by God for this work.

1. They must be “reverent” (“grave,” KJV). Their wives (1 Tim. 3:11) and aged men (Titus 2:2) were also to possess this quality. One must be serious about being a Christian and living the Christian life.

2. They cannot be “double-tongued” (dilogos). He must be counted upon to speak the truth.

3. He cannot be “given to much wine.” Given is often translated “give heed to” or “give attendance to” (Heb. 2:1). To be given to much wine implies an addiction. Well, then, can he be addicted to a little amount of wine? The absurdity of such a question indicates the answer.

4. He cannot be “greedy for money.” Especially is this important since deacons will very likely be handling money; one may be the treasurer. (All of these have been from 1 Timothy 3:8.)

5. A deacon must hold “the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience” (v. 9). Dub McClish provides excellent comments on this qualification:

The “mystery” is one of Paul’s favorite descriptions of the scheme of human redemption conceived in the mind of Deity. Thayer defines this use of the term as: “…God’s plan of providing salvation for men through Christ, which was once hidden but now is revealed (Rom. 16:25; I Cor. 2:7; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:26…).”5 “The faith” refers to the Gospel message through which the mystery was revealed to the Lord’s inspired men (Acts 6:7; I Cor. 16:13; Jude 3, etc.). To hold the mystery of the faith means both to understand and be steadfast in the Truth. This requirement is “holding fast the faithful word” for elders (Tit. 1:9) (The Epistles of I and II Timothy and Titus 103), the 1986 MSOP lectureship book.

6. They must have been proven first (10). In other words, they have been placed in charge of different programs or efforts already and have faithfully executed those duties.

7. They must have been, in the carrying out of their assignments, “blameless” (10). This is also a qualification for elders mentioned in Titus 1:6-7. No accusation against either of these men can be sustained with evidence.

8. Deacons must be the husband of one wife, which eliminates women from consideration. Women and many spiritually-minded men cannot serve in this capacity, although they may be valuable servants of the Lord in other capacities.

9. Also in verse 12 is the quality of “ruling their children and their own house well.” The word translated “ruling” was also used in verses 4-5 of elders. This might have included domestic servants, as well as all of the family members living at home. He must first be able to manage what is his before trying to take care of the things of the Lord. Like the elders’ wives, the deacons’ wives must also be “reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things” (1 Tim. 3:11).

The work of deacons is varied. Primarily, they carry out the work that the elders assign them. Many of the tasks may relate to taking care of the physical matters pertaining to the church (the care given to the building and grounds, financial concerns, advertising, and so on); however, their work is certainly not confined to such things. They have spiritual qualifications and have probably already engaged in participating in spiritual activities, such as teaching Bible studies with those outside of Christ, teaching Bible classes, participating in door-knocking or other evangelistic concerns, visiting hospitals or prisons, conducting worship at nursing homes, and various other efforts.

Deacons have a long-term commitment to the congregation. Some of them may eventually become elders, but not all will. They also have a commitment to the Word of God—to know it, present it, and encourage others to know it as well. Paul concludes his section on deacons by describing their reward in verse 13:

For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.