1 Timothy 3:8-13: Deacons An Important Role

Good morning. I am Robin Harris, one of the elders of verse by verse fellowship. Today we will be looking at the qualifications of a Deacon and answering some key questions. The title of the message is “Deacons: An Important Role in the Church. Here are the questions we will be answering: 


What is a deacon? 

Why are deacons necessary? 

Why have qualifications? 

What are the qualifications of a deacon? 

What is the reward for serving well as a deacon? 


1 Timothy 3:8-13 “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,[a] not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise[b] must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” 

SO WHAT IS A DEACON? Write this down in your notes: 

Point 1 A Deacon is a servant. 


 The word deacon means servant. Using the Strong Concordance, the Greek word for servants is diakonous. In the simplest terms the word means table waiter. The word is translated most of the time in the New Testament servant or minister, and applies to anyone that is under service in order to minister to others. 



Christ is called a servant , diakonon, Roman 15:8 says, For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 



Jesus used this word when he spoke to his disciples after washing their feet. Matthew 20:26, 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; Diakonos 



Paul said this to Timothy, 1 Timothy 4:6 6 If you put these things before the brothers,[a] you will be a good servant (diakonos) of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 

There are many more examples beyond these few. 


The word is translated deacon in only a few places in the ESV Bible version. Philippians 1:1 deacons diakonois 



1 Timothy 3:8, 12 deacons diakonous 



 The word is translated deacon in a few other locations in other Bible versions. These are:   

Romans 16:1 where Pheobe is called a deacon (diakonon). She was one of Paul’s coworker in ministry 

Colossians 1:7 deacon some versions 

Colossians 4:7 deacon some versions 



 So the word means servant. With that said every believer is a deacon in one sense because every believer is a servant in the body of Christ. Each an every believer in this room has been giving at least one gift by the Holy Spirit to be used in the body of Christ as a servant of Christ. As we all serve, using our spiritual gifts, we build up the body of Christ in love. Ephesians 4:16. 



 I believe this is a big deal as we discuss the office of deacons. It is one thing to talk about the office of deacon from a detached viewpoint versus the viewpoint of a fellow servant within the body of Christ. As fellow servants you are more likely 

 To know that they need your help and join them as they serve the body  And to engage in prayer for them 



 Matter of fact, servanthood in the body is a big deal to the Holy Spirit. One of the noted spiritual gifts within the scriptures is the gift of serving. I think that speaks for itself. Now, not everyone has the gift of serving, but everyone should be a servant in the body of Christ. Remember Jesus said He came to serve not to be served. He is our perfect example. 



John MacArthur says this about deacons, “Everyone is a deacon in the general sense, some are specially gifted by the Holy Spirit for service, but still others hold the office of deacon.” So in the general since all of you are deacons. Welcome to the ministry! 


 SO WHY HAVE AN OFFICE OF DEACON in the Church, if we are all servans anyway? You could say, “Because it is in the Bible”, and that is definitely a good reason, but is there any indication in the Bible other than the statement of qualifications shown in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. These verses just tell us the qualifications, but do not say anything about the reason for deacons. 

 Since we are all servants in the body, couldn’t we just go around serving and that be it? No, naturally God has a reason for the office of deacons just as he has a reason for the office of elders. 

Write this down in your notes: 


 Point 2 Deacons assist the Elders with the care of the Church by addressing needs as they arise and by calling other servants to join them in performing these tasks. 


I believe we can see the reason for the office of deacon from what is said in Acts 6:1-6 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists[a] arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers,[b] pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 

 I believe that this is the beginnings of what we call deacons, even though there is no mention of the word deacon in the text. It shows all the hallmarks of how deacons have functioned throughout the history of the Church. Let’s look at these verses and answer a couple of questions. 



 What was the problem? A complaint came to the 12 apostles concerning the care of the Hellenists widows. Based upon the complaint, they were true widows who were under the care of the church. They did not have family to care for them nor were they young widows that could remarry. So the issue is the physical care of Church members. This is important to note. 



 Who did the 12 call to discuss the issue? They called the full number of disciples. This was a big problem and they wanted to discuss it with the Church. 


What did the 12 not want to be doing because of the issue? They did not want to assume the responsibility for taking care of the issue by either doing it or leading others to do it. They wanted to continue to do what the Lord had called them to do • Preaching the Word 

• Being in the Word 

• Praying 



 So part of the answer of “Why have the office of deacons” is so that elders can remain in their lane leading the church spiritually through the Word and prayer.   

Before we had deacons, I am sure that the elders of this church had to do a lot of things that took them away from what God intended and expected them to be doing. I can definitely relate. In eastern Oregon, I was a vocational pastor of a small Church in the middle of Oregon’s beautiful wilderness country. Being a small Church my duties included anything and everything. 


Sue and I cleaned toilets, vacuumed floors, painted the building, mowed the grounds, printed bulletins, lead the care for members, and did anything else that came up. 


 Overtime we did get help with the care of the Church, but most of the time Sue and I did these duties. It definitely took me away from what God wanted me to be doing.. 

 What was the solution and what duty was appointed to these men? They selected 7 men to take care of this duty. Did they pick just anyone? No, they picked very godly men. Why did they do this? I believe there are two reasons 

 • One, the widows were God’s children and God wants His children cared for in an excellent way 

 • Two, they would not necessarily be doing the task, but rather they would call other disciples to join them. They needed to be trustworthy leaders. Take Mike Hurtado…..   

So I believe the two reasons for the office of deacons are 

 • To prevent the physical care of the body to be laid upon the elders, therefore taking them away from what God called them to do 

 … in a broad since this includes the physical care of people and the Church facilities • Secondly, deacons are needed in order to have excellent physical care of the body as needs arise and to call other servants to join them in performing these tasks.   

 Another important note to make before we look at the qualifications of deacons is the position deacons hold relative to elders. 


Write this down in your notes… 

Point 3 Deacons are under the leadership of the Elders. 




Philippians 1:1 says, “Paul and Timothy, servants[a] of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers[b] and deacons:[c]” 



Philippians 1:1 gives us a clear distinction by noting the two offices separately. 


 The text says overseers and deacons. Last week Mark Fortney covered elders and described what the word overseer means. Basically, Elders oversee everything concerning the church through a spiritual lens. Elders lead the church, deacons do not. Deacons serve the Church and are under the leadership of the elders. In fact all ministries in the Church are under the leadership of the elders. Some Churches have this seriously wrong. We follow what the Bible says about both of these offices. This assures we are on the right footing with our Lord and savior, who is the Head of the Church. 


Now lets look at the qualifications for deacons: 


Point 4 We have God ordained qualifications for this important and necessary Church office. 

Not just anyone is called to such an important Church duty. They must meet God’s ordained qualifications. Do you agree? Unfortunately some Churches do not take this seriously and choose deacons based on popularity, longevity, financial position or some other wrong reason. We do not fall into this error. Our deacons have been vetted based upon God’s standards. 



 As you heard the qualifications for deacons, you may have noted similarities with the qualifications for elders as shown in verses 1-7. God holds a very similar standard for deacons as He does for elders. Mark addressed the similar qualifications last week, so we will not cover the same ground. 

 We will look at the ones that standout for deacons. Here are the qualifications that are particular to deacons: 

• They must be Dignified 

• They must not be double-tongued 

 • and they must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience   

Qualifications for deacons already covered by Mark last week are: 

• Not addicted to much wine 

• Not greedy for dishonest gain 

• Blameless or above reproach 

• Husband of one wife 

• Managing their children and their own households well 



Look at verse 8 which says, Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double tongued,[a] not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. So Deacons must be dignified. Dignified means to be found honorable, but what does that mean? I would say it this way “What he says, he does, and what he does, is right.” This is a characteristic that is observable. The NIV translates the Greek word “worthy of respect”. This means the person has already demonstrated within the body and outside the body that they do what they say and they do what is right. They have been found honorable. You see the same requirement shown in Acts 6:3 when the Apostles were appointing men to minister to the widows of the church. 



Acts 6:3 Therefore, brothers,[a] pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 



The seven men had a good reputation. So when they were selected, they based their selection on past actions and words that gave them a good reputation. 



Alexander Strauch in his book, “Paul’s vision for the deacons, assisting the Elders with the care of God’s church” says this, 

 “In the Lord’s work, a leader’s moral character and public reputation are essential to the task of leading God’s people.” 



It makes sense that the trustworthiness of a person is essential. A deacon will have many other servants engaged with him or her in this important work of the Church. Matter of fact the elders are counting on them to be trustworthy! 

What can erode the trustworthiness of a deacon? Well at a minimum the next set of checks for qualifications: 

• a doubled-tongued 

• Addiction to much wine, a drunkard 

• Greediness for dishonest gain 

 All these character flaws would cause significant issues in the church 


 So what is doubled-tongued? Doubled-tongued basically means “telling a different story ie saying one thing to one person and saying another thing to another person. This would quickly erode the respect of this person among his peers. How do you know what is the truth from a person that is double-tongued. Deceitfulness not only erodes the character of this person, but it can also erode the unity within the body. So what is the source of a double-tongued person? I believe it propagates from the heart.   

 Proverbs 4:23-24 says, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. 24 Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.”   

A double-tongue is a heart issue. It may come from a heart to please everyone. It may come from the heart of ambition. It may come from a heart to gain allegiances or clicks. It even may come from a heart that wants to cover their tracks. All of these are destructive in the body. The tongue within the body can be very destructive or it can be very useful to build up the body. That is why Paul gave the following instructions for the church of Ephesus, 



 Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”   

 Our deacons have proven themselves to be worthy of our trust. Our deacons have proven themselves to have a trustworthy speech. Though this is true, I exhort them always to guard their hearts. 



Now the next qualification is found in verse 9. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Let’s look at a few of these words separately. The word “hold” does not mean “carry around”. Some people carry their Bibles into Church, but 


when they go home, the Bible is put on a shelf and not touched until the next Sunday. Holding is not letting go, it is residing, it is like a precious jewel which has been found, and the value is represented by the importance placed on it. 



 My grandson has a particular little red car that he values a lot. If it goes missing we all are scrambling to find it. It has gotten so intense that his parents have a backup little red car in a drawer just in case we can’t find it. Silas holds the little red car. What do the deacons hold like Silas holds his car? The deacons hold the mystery of the faith. Now that sounds a little mystical, but it isn’t. Paul used this word mystery in several places. Here are a few of them: 



1 Timothy 3:16 “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:” 


Ephesians 1:9 “making known[a] to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ” 

 1 Corinthians 4:1 “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” 



 The word mystery means what was hidden in the past, but now revealed. More specifically, it is the truth of God’s plan either hidden in the past or not clearly seen, but now revealed by God according to his timetable. 


Now look at the remaining part of the phrase, “the mystery of the faith”. We could say the revelation of the faith. The revelation of the faith includes everything revealed by God through His Word, both Old and New Testament. It is not just the Gospel, though that is the centerpiece, but all the faith elements we hold as Christians. Deacons hold to this revealed faith. Alexander Strauch said it this way, 



 “A deacon must know the beliefs of the Christian faith, possess the faith, hold firmly to the faith, and live life consistently with “the mystery of the faith.””   

Put in other words, a deacon must know the Word, love the Word, and live out the Word in obedience, whether they are younger or older. 



 Now we come to a controversial passage in this section. Verse 11   

 11 Their wives likewise[b] must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 



First, the elder board believes that Paul is addressing qualifications for women deacons. We believe both qualified men and women can be appointed to the office of deacons. 



 So let’s give some reasons why we believe this. First notice the word likewise in verse 11. It is also shown in verse 8. This shows that Paul stopped his focus on men and put his focus on women. After this, he reverts back to a focus on men. 



 Secondly, the Greek word for wives can be either translated wives or women. The ESV translates the word wives. Many Bible versions translate the word this way. The New American Standard and the NIV Bibles translate the word women. Notice also the word “their” is included by the translators. In a literal sense it would just say “wives likewise”. If you assume that Paul was talking about deacon’s wives, adding the word “their” would seem reasonable. If you take it to be translated women, then “their” doesn’t seem appropriate. 


 If you take the translation to be wives, you must come to the conclusion that “their wives” were deacons with their husbands or, at a minimum, helpers to their deacon husbands. If not, there would be no reason for Paul to mention them, just like Paul did not mention wives within the context of the elder’s qualifications. It makes perfect sense for Paul not to mention wives or women within the qualifications of elders, because elders are the spiritual leaders in the church and their wives cannot hold that position. Pastor Tony covered this two weeks ago when he preached on 1 Timothy 2:11-12.   

Thirdly, the office of deacon is delegated to the physical care of the Church not to the spiritual care of the church, and is under the spiritual leadership of the elders, so it is definitely acceptable. 


 Lastly, the historical role of women in the early church helps support the conclusion that women can be deacons. In several passages the Apostle Paul describes the helpfulness of women as he served the Lord. Additionally, many Bible versions note Pheobe as a deacon. (Romans 16:1) 



Here are some Biblical examples of women working with Paul: 



Women labored side by side with Paul. Philippians 4:2-3 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion,[b] help these women, who have labored[c] side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.   

Women had Churches in their homes, Lydia had a Church in her house and Paul ministered there. Nympha had a Church in her house also. Colossians 4:15, 15 Give my greetings to the brothers[a] at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.   

Women were commended for their work in the Lord. Romans 16:12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 



Women are shown to be co-laborers with the Apostle Paul. Look at what Paul says about Phoebe, Romans 16:1-2 says, I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant[a] of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. 



 As you see, he commended her service in the church. Also he tells them to listen to her as she requests things from them. That sounds like she is leading the charge under the spiritual authority of the Apostle Paul. Additionally, many believe that she was given the task of delivering the epistle to Rome, showing the service position that she held.   

Let me say it plainly, women had and still have significant roles in ministry! 

Within Verse by Verse there are many women in places of leadership for service oriented care. All of which are under the spiritual authority of the elders. 

• The care ministry 

• The connection ministry 

• The coffee ministry 

• The custodial ministry 

• The prayer ministry 



Besides these service oriented care ministries, women are in spiritual leadership roles in • the children’s ministry 

• the women’s ministry 



 So translating the word to be “women” is definitely acceptable and is supported by women’s role in the New Testament Church. So as an elder board, we see leadership for care oriented ministries open to both men and women including the Office of Deacon.   

Now let’s look at their qualifications for women. 


11 Their wives likewise[b] must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things 

 These qualifications are similar to the qualities previously given for men, but tailored for women. 



Women, like men, are to be dignified or worthy of respect. 



Women are not to be slanderers. The phrase “not slanderers “ is similar to “not double tongued”, but there is some difference. Slanderous is more about being a gossiper, maliciously speaking ill of others. The Greek word for slanderer is where we 


 get the name satan. The NASB translates this phrase “not malicious gossips”. That is pretty pointed. Can this happen with women? Titus used this same phrase for godly older women who were to teach younger women what is good. 



 Titus 2:3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 



 Can I say this, God hates gossip. Gossip causes destruction and division.   

 Next, women are to be sober-minded. Sober-minded would include not a slave too much wine, but it is a broader term and would include being temperate. The qualifications for elders include this same word. 



Alexander Strauch says this about a temperate person, 

“The word describes a person who is stable, circumspect, self-restrained, and clearheaded.” 



 Women are to be faithful in all things. The phrase faithful in all things is similar to the catch all word blameless. Both words do not mean sinless or there would not be any elders or deacons. What it does mean is that the life of the person is shown to be faithful to Christ and His Word including ongoing repentance, forgiveness and restoration. Deacons are on a continual path of becoming more like Christ. It means we don’t see any gaps in this process of sanctification. 



Now we come to the end of this section with Paul reverting back to the qualifications of the husband and finally the reward of being a deacon. As I noted before, the qualifications shown in verse 12 were covered by Mark last week. 



 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 



Deacons must be a one women man and must lead his family well. 

Then we have verse 13 


Write this done in your notes: 

Point 5 Deacons have rewards for serving well. 



 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. 


There are two notable rewards for serving well as a deacon: 

• a good standing for themselves 

• and great confidence in the faith 




 Deacons obtain a good stand for themselves within the congregation. They will touch the lives of people within the Church on a more personal level than most likely the elders, and they will lead many more people in the physical care of the church than the elders will do. Therefore as they serve well, they will be honored within the congregation. Their duties are intimately tied to the congregation in all practical matters. Because of this, they will exercise their gifts and lean on their faith substantially. 


 I am a true believer that when we are put into the trenches of service, our confidence in our faith grows. Sitting in a pew doing nothing for the Lord week after week weakens are faith and causes us to be vulnerable to satan’s devices. Deacons gain great confidence in the faith because their faith is exercised! I know because I was a Deacon at one time. When I was a deacon, I was placed in charge of visitation. Each week we would go and visit people….. 



 God has blessed us with Deacons that meet all the necessary qualifications. They are dedicated to serving this body. As we grow and as we see needs, they will need you to step into the trenches of service with them. In doing so you will grow in your confidence in faith and you will hear those words from Jesus when you see him face to face…well done thou good and faithful servant. 



So Church what do we do with this message….here are four take ways: 

  Acknowledge the importance of deacons and pray for them. 
  Understand that they need our help as they serve the body. Join them in serving this body. 
  Aspire to be a deacon if God is calling you to this role. 
  Respond to the fact that we are all little d deacons and serve in the body of Christ….you will not regret it! 

I have one final word to our deacons. As a former deacon, know that the Elders and this Church have acknowledged the work of God in you and through you. Your value in the body cannot be understated, because the source of your fruitfulness is God. We thank you for surrendering and we pray for your continued fruitfulness, Serve the body well. New Paragraph