AM Bible Study Group; May 6, 2014
1 Timothy 3:8-13
Theme: Paul describes the qualities that are to characterize those who serve the church as deacons.
(All Scripture is taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated).
In our last study, we examined the qualifications of the first of the only two church offices that the New Testament describes—that is, the office of ‘bishop’ (overseer); also described in Scripture as an elder or presbyter, or a pastor or shepherd. As we saw in our last study, that office is of great importance because it provides for the leadership and oversight of the church family under Christ.
This morning, we examine what Paul had to say to Pastor Timothy about the second of those two offices—the office of deacon; and of how he was to ensure that those who occupied that office were biblically qualified.
From this text, then, let’s consider . . .
I. WHO ‘DEACONS’ ARE.
A. Paul begins by saying, “Likewise deacons . . .” The word “deacon” itself comes from the Greek word diakonos; and that comes from the verb we find in verse 10—diakoneō (whichmeans ‘to serve’ or ‘to minister’). A deacon, then, is one who serves or ministers. This isn’t meant to be understood, however, in the same sense of anyone who serves or ministers in anyway in a church. While it’s true that many folks serve in some capacity or other in a church—and praise God that they do!—the Bible sets forth “deacon” as an office in the church that is defined along with and subordinate to the office of bishop (see Philippians 1:1). This is clearly the fact that the word “likewise” associates his description of one office (vv. 1-7) with another (vv. 1-8).
B. The first time in the Bible that we see the idea of “deacons” is in Acts 6. A need arose in the church; and the apostles instructed the church to seek out seven men who were spiritually qualified to see to the meeting of that need; thus freeing the apostles for the work of teaching the word and of prayer. We also see a specific deacon—better called ‘a deaconess’—in Romans 16:1. Paul wrote, “I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea.” “Servant” is the word from which we get the word “deacon”. The church needs deacons and deaconesses—those who serve under the oversight of the elders of the church, in an official capacity, to meet the various needs of the church.
II. WHAT THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A DEACON ARE.
A. There are what we might call personal character qualifications (v. 8). They must be “reverent” (i.e., serious, dignified, stately; “worthy of respect” [NIV]), “not double-tongued” (i.e., having integrity in speech; not saying one thing to one person and a different thing to another person;honest in words), “not given to much wine” (i.e., above reproach in the use of alcohol; not abusive of intoxicating substances; someone doesn’t allow himself or herself to be under the influence), and “not greedy for money”(i.e., does not pilfer; behaves with integrity in personal finances and in business dealings; is trust-worthy in handling the resources of others— particularly the funds of the church).
B. There is also an important spiritual qualification (v. 9). They must be “holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience” (i.e., knowing and actively growing to understand the basic doctrines of the faith from the Bible; believing those doctrines whole-heartedly; having a life that matches what he or she believes).
C. There must be a measure of proven experience (v. 10). We’re told, “But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.” They must be tested and found blameless before serving (in our church’s case, requiring a six-month period of internship without leaders before issued a formal call to serve as a deacon).
D. Women can serve as deacons (i.e., “deaconesses”). Some interpret verse 11 as speaking of the wives of deacons; and it would certainly be true that the character of the wife of a deacon ought to support the ministry of her husband. But it seems more likely that this is speaking of a woman who—herself—serves as an officer in the church. The fact that the word “likewise”is used to introduce her role strongly suggest this; along with the fact that the qualifications for her work are treated as distinctly applying to her ministry. This would not be a passage that describes the qualifications of all women in the church; since that is mentioned already inverses 9-12. The deaconesses—like the deacons—are to be “reverent”, “not slanderers”,“temperate,” and “faithful in all things”.
E. There are certain domestic qualifications (v. 12). These qualifications may touch on the role of deaconesses to some degree; but they are here particularly stated with respect to men. Paul writes, “Let deacons be the husbands of one wife” (which can mean not divorced and remarried illegitimately; or can mean “a one-wife kind of man—faithful to spouse); and “ruling their children and their own houses well” (i.e., a well-managed Christian family; not a dysfunctional household; with children who are not bitter or resentful).
III. HOW GOD HONORS THEIR ROLE.
A. Just as was true of bishops (v. 1), the office of deacon is presented as something worthy and honorable. Paul writes, “For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing” (v. 13a). Just as the Bible promises great reward for those who are faithful in their service as bishops (see 1 Peter 5:1-4), there is also great reward for those who are faithful as deacons. The “good standing” may be in terms a reputation of honor within the church(such as was the case of Stephen (see Acts 6:8), or it may be in terms of eternal reward from the Lord.
B. In addition, those who serve well also obtain for themselves “great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus” (v. 13b). This most likely means that they are able to prove the truthfulness of the Christian faith by their own lives of faithfulness (see 1 Timothy 3:14-15; Titus 2:7-8).