Deacons

by Micky Galloway

It cannot be disputed that when a local church is fully and scripturally organized it is to have bishops (elders or overseers) and deacons. In Philippians 1:1 we read, “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.” These men are to meet specific qualifications.

The word “deacon” is from the Greek word diakonos and primarily means one who is a servant, helper, or minister. In a generic sense, it is defined as “one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master, a servant, an attendant, a minister … one who, by virtue of the office assigned to him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use” (Thayer). Vincent’s Word Studies points out that diakonos “means servant, and is a general term covering both slaves and hired servants. It is thus distinct from doulos ‘bond-servant.’ It represents a servant, not in his relation, but in his activity.” W.E. Vine also suggests, “Diakonos is, generally speaking, to be distinguished from doulos, ‘a bondservant, slave’; diakonos views a servant in relationship to his work, doulos views him in relationship to his master.”

Diakonos is used in a specific sense when the word refers to a particular class of servants, called “deacons” (Philippians 1:1; I Timothy 3:8, 12). These were to be appointed as special servants of the church. The New Testament does not by command specify the work of deacons. Yet, by looking at the definitions given to diakonos and the special qualifications required (I Timothy 3:8-13), it becomes evident that the church needs men on whom they can depend to look after many of the affairs of the church.

Character Qualifications:

“Grave” (Gk. semnoús, august, venerable, honorable, serious demeanor, dignified, vs. frivolous, flighty, trivial, silly) (I Timothy 3:8).

“Not double tongued” (Gk. meé dilógous, a straight forward man; not saying one thing to one and something else to another; no talebearer, not deceitful in speech).

“Not given to much wine” (Gk. meé oínoo polloó, not addicted to or under the influence of). This qualification for deacons is much like one found for elders – “not given to wine” (I Timothy 3:3). The word “much” does NOT condone a little or moderate use of wine. Keep in mind every Christian must be free from the influence of alcohol. The concept of being “sober” demands it (I Thessalonians 5:4-8; II Timothy 4:5; I Peter 1:13; 4:3; 5:8). Drunkenness is condemned in both OT and NT (Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 23:29-32; Proverbs 31:4-5; Isaiah 28:7; Galatians 5:21; I Corinthians 6:9-11; I Peter 4:1-3).

“Not greedy of filthy lucre” (Gk. meé aischrokerdeís, eager for base gain, no lover of money, not avaricious). It means “greedy for dishonest gain.” Balaam (Numbers 22; II Peter 2:15), Gehazi (II Kings 5), and Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26:15) are three prominent examples of those who were greedy of filthy lucre. “When lucre is the price for doing wrong, it is ‘filthy.’ When lucre is sought on occasions where none is due, it is ‘filthy;’ and when the desire of even just gains is excessive, it ceases to be clean.” (Pulpit Commentary, I Timothy 3:8).

“Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience” (Gk. échontas tó musteérion teés písteoos en kathará suneideései, hold with a clear conscience, stability in that which was once for all delivered to the saints. That involves: a pure conscience, the faith (the word of God, Acts 13), and no vacillating. He must accept the teaching of Christ as the truth and hold to it.

“Blameless” (Gk. anéngkleetoi, one against whom no evil charge can be sustained, without reproach); “Rather, unaccused: if no charge be preferred against them” (Vincent’s Word Studies). “Anenkletos signifies ‘that which cannot be called to account’ … i.e., with nothing laid to one’s charge (as the result of public investigation), in 1 Cor 1:8, RV, ‘unreproveable,’ KJV, ‘blameless’; in Col 1:22, KJV and RV, ‘unreproveable’; in 1 Tim 3:10 and Titus 1:6-7, KJV and RV, ‘blameless.’ It implies not merely acquittal, but the absence of even a charge or accusation against a person. This is to be the case with elders” (W.E. Vine).

Family Qualifications:

“Husbands of one wife.” This demands one who is scripturally married. The nature of the work requires that he be a married man. This qualification rules out a single man as well as a polygamist or an adulterer.

“Ruling their children and their own houses well.” (Gk. proisten, which means to stand before - to attend to). He must exercise the headship in his own home. Nothing is said about the children being “believers” as in the case of elders (cf. Titus 1:6).

Finally, the deacon’s wife must have certain characteristics, or she would disqualify her husband. She is to be “grave, not slanderous, sober, faithful in all things” (I Timothy 3:11).

Wise elders will assign certain tasks to well qualified men. This leaves the elders free to tend, feed, and watch the flock (Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:2; Hebrews 13:17). God’s plan for church organization is always best. Let us follow it.