1 Timothy 3:8-13 | "For Those Who Have Served Well"
[1 Timothy] How We Conduct Ourselves in the Church • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 48 viewsSunday, October 2, 2022. 1 Timothy 3:8-13 | "For Those Who Have Served Well." Preached in a series of sermons through 1 Timothy: How We Conduct Ourselves In The Church, to Heritage Bible Chapel in Princeton, MA.
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I. The Reading | 1 Timothy 3:8-13
I. The Reading | 1 Timothy 3:8-13
A reading from 1 Timothy 3:8-13, reading from the NASB translation of the Bible.
This is God’s Word:
8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,
9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.
11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.
12 Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.
13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
This is God’s Word, and as God’s people we say, Amen.
II. The Exhortation
II. The Exhortation
For those who have served well, God’s Word proclaims a reward.
It’s interesting that no reward was mentioned for the overseers. It is only said that oversight is a “fine work.”
The previous seven verses ended with a warning that overseers (who are pastors/elders/examples to the flock) - that overseers NOT fall into the condemnation, reproach and snare of the devil! (3:6-7).
But here, at end of this text, verses 8-13, for those who serve in a special way, the apostle writes not of the reputation these ones must have, but of the reward these ones will gain!
- They
1 Timothy 3:13 (NASB95PARA)
13 ...obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
What an encouragement this is for the Church!
What a gift of God’s grace!
So what service is this then, if done well, leads to such a blessed reward?
And as we hear this text, we notice that this service is not spelled out for us.
1 Timothy 3:8-13, does not list the works of service to be performed, although as one commentator put it, “we may read between the lines” (Marshall, ICC).
The only commands in this text, the only instructions, the only imperatives are given in verse 10: —
1 Timothy 3:10 (NASB95PARA)
10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve...
First be tested; then let them serve...
But no other command is given.
No list of duties. No operating procedures.
Why, Paul, have you not written of the works required?
After all, we want to know:
What must be DONE!?
That’s how we think, isn’t it?
It is the flesh, not the Spirit that thinks this way.
We hear a text like this, with a list of expectations, and that’s where our minds go - we revert to our self-centered, self-glorying, legalistic tendencies that deceive us into thinking that our reward is a result of works, rather than God’s grace alone.
And instead of a list of “Do’s,” we hear an echo of the apostle in another place saying:
Galatians 2:16 (NASB95PARA)
16 …a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus...
Brothers and sisters,
Before we impose a list of “Do’s” on those who serve in the church, let us first pause and remember the gospel.
Let us see this text and hear it with eyes and ears that have been shaped by the gospel.
Our spiritual reward is never gained through works of the flesh, but only by grace through faith!
We don’t deem a person as faithful by measuring him or her up to a checklist of expectations or works.
A person is faithful because of the presence of Christ, because of the enabling grace of the Holy Spirit, working salvation on that person’s heart.
1 Timothy 3:8-13, and all that it lists out, does not contradict the gospel of the grace of God.
We need to hear this! I need to hear this!
The reward promised for serving well is -
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
The grace of God is what compels His servants to serve well.
So a list of works are not given.
Instead —
This text focuses NOT on what these servants do, but on who they are in Christ Jesus.
They are —
Διακόνους/διάκονοι
| “Deacons” (v.8, 12)
We know this text is in part, about Deacons, for this is the first word of verse 8, beginning this new section.
It is a plural word: “Deacons.”
But this text is not only about “Deacons.” For look with me at the last word, bookending this passage, and let’s ask ourselves as we look at it:
Do we want to know what Deacons are all about?
Do we want to know what service in the Church points us to?
Do we want to know the kind of works Deacons perform?
And the last word answers these questions resoundingly, not with a plural noun (many), but with a singular name (one).
What is that name?
1 Timothy 3:13 (NASB95PARA)
13 ...Christ Jesus.
And in each division of this text, there is a word about faith.
Brothers and sisters, if we encounter this text, and walk away thinking about deacons, then this sermon is a failure! We’ve missed the point!
For this text has one purpose, from beginning to end!
Deacons have one purpose, from beginning to end:
PURPOSE: To lead us ALL to faith that is in Christ Jesus.
James writes this way:
14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?
17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
This is the ministry of deacons:
Showing sincere faith through service in the name of Jesus!
If this text were only about “deacons,” then all but our six deacons could check out. But this text is not only about “deacons.” It is about faith, the faith that is in Christ Jesus, and this text is for all of us.
For faith is at the heart of the apostle’s concern as he writes to Timothy and the Church.
“Faith” is one of the most repeated, recurring words in this letter known as 1 Timothy.
The apostle urged Timothy to remain on at Ephesus to protect:
1 Timothy 1:4 (NASB95PARA)
4 ...the administration of God which is by faith.
Paul writes :
5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Paul grieves that some in the church have:
1 Timothy 1:19 (NASB95PARA)
19 ...suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.
God desires His household (His Church) to be a household of faith.
And God desires that faith to be visible.
And genuine faith is visible through godly service.
So our text tell us that -
3:8-10 | Deacons hold…
“the mystery of the FAITH with a clear conscience”
3:11 | Women (or Wives) are…
“FAITHful in all things”
3:12-13 | Deacons obtain...
“great confidence in the FAITH...”
Church, this text exhorts us all, to give attention to the Deacons.
And by giving attention to the Deacons, we are actually learning about faith, and the real, tangible presence of our Lord Jesus, who said:
Luke 22:27 (NASB95PARA)
27 ... I am among you as the one who serves.
III. The Teaching
III. The Teaching
The first three verses teach us that:
A. Faith can FAIL | 3:8-10
A. Faith can FAIL | 3:8-10
Faith can fail.
8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,
9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.
All three verses point to a reality about faith. Faith can fail.
Jesus said this to Peter, calling him by his fleshly name Simon:
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat;
32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Brothers and sisters, we must pray for our deacons and sacred servants because faith can fail. And we don’t want them to fail.
And the worst way of failing, is to hold to a phony faith - to have a faith that is not genuine.
So in verse 8, the apostle instructs Timothy and the Church that:
8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,
Notice the word “likewise.”
Deacons are likewise to what?
Likewise to the character of overseers (who are pastors, elders, and examples to the flock).
Deacons are not overseers, and overseers are not deacons.
Both are different groups serving different functions in the church.
But both are “likewise” in character.
They look very similar, for each highlight aspects of Christ’s love and care for His Church.
Most of these words describing deacons are the same descriptors of the maturity of Christian character for appointed service in Christ’s Church.
The word “Deacons” is a masculine word.
That is, the apostle is clearly speaking about men when he writes of the diaconate.
And we know that God’s design from Creation is that men are to be spiritual leaders in the home and in the household of God.
The same is true in the appointed service of the church.
Deacons likewise must be men of dignity.
The word “Deacons” is like the word “baptism.”
It is a transliteration of a Greek word into our language.
We don’t say at baptism “I immerse you...” or “I plunge you in water...” or “I wash you...” but we say “I baptize you...” from the Gk. (baptizo).
It sounds the same.
Διακόνους/διάκονοι | “deacons”
Deacons is a word that is found in many other places in the Scripture, and is translated as “ministry” or “service.”
Deacons are ministers - they are servants.
Simply, the word “deacon” in Greek means “one who serves” (LCC:NT).
And while there is a biblical sense in which we all are “deacons” broadly, as servants of Christ, this text narrows the focus to a group of men,. elevated as examples of faith through humble service.
Therefore they must be dignified.
That is, God’s grace has fashioned the behavior of these men in a way that is respectable and honorable and of good character (LN).
This is the positive descriptor on the list.
The next three words are qualified by a negative.
8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,
Here are three things deacons are NOT to be, and here are three examples of how faith can fail.
Faith can fail through words, through wine, and through wealth.
Deacons are not “double-tongued.”
This is a rare word, but it means that deacons are not gossips. They do not reveal or repeat what is to be kept secret. They do not speak in two directions (WBC, LN).
Implied is that deacons speak. They are entrusted with words and needs that must be kept with integrity.
So with the faith of Christ, deacons speak what they mean, and do what they say, and know how to keep what is entrusted to them by way of words. They can control the tongue.
This is evidence of faith. (see Jas).
Deacons are not “addicted to much wine.”
Self control extends to all areas of life.
Deacons relate to people. And by the grace of God they are controlled by the Spirit, bearing testimony that their desire and devotion is to Christ and His Kingdom.
Deacons are not “fond of sordid gain.”
This is a fancy way of saying that deacons are not greedy. They are not dishonest. They are not shameful.
Implied is that deacons may have some responsibility for distributing funds given to the Lord through the Church, and putting those funds to work through acts of service.
But by God’s grace, they serve with honesty and humility, gaining greater faith in Christ along the way.
Brothers and sisters, If faith cannot fail in these ways, the apostle would not have written about these expectations.
We know faith can fail so easily, and indeed all of us have failed because all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God!
Romans 14:23 (NASB95PARA)
23 ...and whatever is not from faith is sin.
But deacons remind us of the gospel of God’s grace and forgiveness.
For verse 9 says —
9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
Deacons hold to the mystery of the FAITH with a clear conscience.
That is, deacons make known the power of the gospel.
Mounce says that
The word “mystery” refers to knowledge that is beyond the reach of sinners but has now been graciously revealed through the gospel (Mounce, WBC).
This is the “mystery of godliness.” (1 Tim 3:16)
That sinners become saints through the redeeming work of Christ.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Deacons do not represent an unachievable perfection.
Rather, deacons testify through their character and service, about the person of Christ and His Work on our behalf to save.
Deacons through their example and service extend a constant invitation for all to turn from sin and turn to Christ, receiving His gift of eternal life by faith!
Deacons are a witness that we need not be what we once were, for by God’s grace we may be born-again and walk anew in the power of His resurrection, freed from sin and dead words to serve the living Christ!
Therefore verse 10 gives these commands —
10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.
With every test, a person may pass or fail.
The faith of a deacon must be tested first before serving.
Notice the words “let them serve.”
This implies an authority over deacon service. That is, deacons do not serve under their own direction. In fact, deacons are not given any AUTHORITY in scripture.
The diaconate is not an authoritative office in the Church.
The diaconate is for service, as stewards of what they are entrusted.
Given its placement in this text, it is obvious that deacons fall under the oversight of the overseers, elders, and pastors.
And this makes sense - for as the overseers keep watch over the big-picture, the church’s doctrine, and teaching, and protection, and care, and stewardship -
Overseers are freed to oversee because the details are cared for by godly deacons under their direction.
Deacons must first be tested, then let them serve.
And in this way Deacons follow the way of Christ, who also was tested and found faithful.
The specifics of this testing are not given, but the intended result is:
10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.
That is, a deacon by God’s transformative grace, is without accusation of wrongdoing (LN) concerning the character and nature of service required.
While this is very spiritual, it is also very practical.
Scripture offers some non-negotiables, but it also allows for flexibility.
The Church of Jesus Christ finds expression in many local fellowships in all places and cultures.
And while the basic human problems of sin, sorrow, and death are common to all - some of the specific needs vary - they way funds are used vary - the makeup of each body and needs associated with that vary.
So there may be some flexibility in how the diaconate is deployed, and that may change with the needs of the Church.
These first three verses remind us of what we know all too well: Faith can FAIL.
But deacons hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience as those who are first tested.
Then in verse 11, the apostle speaks about a different group who are not called “Deacons.”
They are called “Women” or “Wives.”
And to hep us remember this teaching, I suggest this phrase:
B. Faith can FORGET | 3:11
B. Faith can FORGET | 3:11
God desires for faith to be known in ALL things.
Not just in some things, but in ALL.
And for faithfulness in ALL things in the Church, Deacons need help, and the church needs help that Deacons alone cannot provide..
And so scripture deploys another repetition of the connecting word “likewise” to now address women or wives.
The women or wives, are likewise...to be faithful in all.
11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.
Brothers and sisters,
As it relates to service in Christ’s Church, it requires takes BOTH men AND women to be faithful in ALL.
Certainly, this speaks to the character of a woman helper. “Faithful in all.”
But also, the context speaks to the comprehensive nature of faithful service in the Church. “Faithful in all.”
Why would the apostle speak of the need for women to be “faithful in all” if women were not needed in service?
Women are not only needed, but essential for serving the body of Christ.
The word “women” may legitimately be translated as either “women” or “wives.”
It is used both ways in this letter. The word is translated as “women” unless context clearly favors “wives.”
Bible translations differ on which translation to use.
Scholars debate which translation to use.
An honest preaching of this text has to conclude with humility, that the text isn’t clear WHO exactly the apostle is writing about when he addresses the women, or wives.
You may have your own preferred interpretation, but as bible expositors that’s not how we study, interpret or apply Scripture.
We don’t make Scripture say what we want it to say, but we say what Scripture actually says.
Is the apostle writing about women helpers?
Like Phoebe, who in Romans 16:1 is commended to the church in Rome as a “sister” and called “a ‘deacon’ of the church which is at Cenchrea?
Or, is the apostle writing more narrowly about the wives of deacons, and if so, elevating wives into a special place of service in partnership with their deacon husbands?
The answer is not clear. But the principle is not lost.
The apostle is addressing a group of people in verse 11 who are clearly NOT men, and who are clearly not called, “Deacons” here.
But they are women or wives, who are sincerely needed for service in the church.
In the Church, both men and women are needed to be faithful in all.
And this is why Faith can FORGET.
It can be forgotten and overlooked that some of the service needs are most appropriately and best served by women serving other women. To neglect this may be to neglect the faith for all.
Think about baptism, and how needful it is for women to prepare women candidates for baptism!
Do we forget that many women followed Jesus during His earthly ministry and witnessed these things?
That women were even found present and watching when things got tough and all the men fled?
It was the women standing and watching at the cross. It was the women who were present to see the empty tomb. It was the women who first declared to the men “We’ve seen the Lord! He is Risen!”
All of this to say, that if we are not careful, we can forget and overlook what God saw in Creation and made gracious provision for....
...To return to the Creative theme, that it was NOT good that man should be alone.
18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”
Lit. “a helper opposite of him” or a helper “corresponding to him” or a “counterpart.”
In Creation —
“The man’s form and nature are matched by the woman’s as she reflects him and complements him. Together they correspond. In short, …she has everything that God had invested in him.” (The NET Bible, 2nd ed., Gen 2:18 tn.)
It is an ungodly, and unbiblical statement for a man to say “I don’t need help.”
To say such a thing is to contradict the word of God.
As men we want to say that.
As men we often say that.
As men we nearly always regret saying that!
But if we would simply return to the Word of God, we’d read that when God looked at man, God the Creator said “NOT good.”
Man needs a helper.
And God created woman, meant to serve as a helper in marital union with her husband and under his headship for service.
And the same observation from Creation applies also to the body of Christ, the Church.
It is NOT good for Deacons to serve alone. They need helpers.
And certainly and primarily those helpers are the wives of deacons.
The wives of deacons protect and reflect their husband’s character, reputation and testimony.
The next verse clearly supports this in view of the family.
But even IF this text refers to women helpers and not wives, who assist the deacons by serving the needs of other women in the Church — the point remains —
Without the ministry of God-given helpers, who are women, the ministry of the church comprehensively FAILS.
So in brief summary, the apostle reminds the church not to forget the women who serve, and thus those who need served.
11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.
To the women, in likewise manner, the Scripture says by God’s grace, they are to be “faithful in all things,” thereby reminding us not only of their character but also the comprehensive needs for service in the body of Christ that women are uniquely able to help through service.
So what is prohibited by way of teaching or exercising authority over men in Chapter 2, is now balanced with permission by way of serving alongside the men in Chapter 3.
This text is not negative, or prohibitive.
Here, it is positive: women (or wives) are clearly connected in some way to an official service in the church, such that their character is to be evaluated in a “likewise” manner as that of a Deacon.
And to the women, they are to be faithful in all, that the church’s faith not be forgetful, and all the needs are met in the name of Jesus.
Faith can fail, Faith can forget, but returning to the word “Deacons” the Scripture declares for us that —
C. Faith can FLOURISH | 3:12-13
C. Faith can FLOURISH | 3:12-13
Our text says “those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”
And this faith, as already expounded in previous sections, flourishes first in the family.
12 Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.
We think again of the family. It is a repeated theme.
The family is the proving ground of faith. The place where overseers and deacons are first tested and formed before serving in God’s household.
The home is where faith works first.
Deacons then, are faithful first to their wives, their children, and their own households before service in the church.
The apostle then concludes:
13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
This is the reward. This is the gift for faithful service “for those who have served well.”
A high standing and great confidence.
Not all deacons may serve well.
Again, faith can fail. Faith can forget.
But for those who do serve well, as deacons, they gain a boldness in the faith.
Not just any faith, but the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
And the faith of the Church is likewise strengthened, as the confidence of these servants is strengthened, - the deacons, the women or wives, help us to see Jesus through their godly character and humble service in Jesus’ name.
Our text naturally leads us to Christ. This is the —
The [Christ] Conclusion
The [Christ] Conclusion
Faith can FAIL.
Faith can FAIL.
This speaks of our flesh and sin and need for God’s grace.
But when we look at deacons and women or wives, serving by the enabling grace and power of the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus,
we see the gospel in action - having been worked first in the lives of those serving in faith, and made visible through their deeds of faith.
We see a living testimony of the living Jesus building up His Church!
Jesus, who came in human flesh but did not sin. Jesus’ faith never failed.
Jesus suffered in our place, for our sin, to fulfil perfectly the stewardship He was entrusted with by His Father - the plan of God for the salvation of many who by faith trust in Jesus!
Jesus was tested and found blameless. And by His death on the cross, and burial in the grave, Jesus was a faithful servant to the end - faithful over God’s household as a Son.
And God raised Him up to life again, so that our service and worship to God may be free of sin and have eternal significance in His name!
Faith can FORGET.
Faith can FORGET.
This speaks of the need for righteousness in all things.
Christ is our righteousness and Christ makes us one.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
And as God brings man and woman together as ONE in holy marriage, as husband and wife, God also brings men and women together to serve as one ALL the needs in the church, that none are neglected and righteousness prevails.
Christ is our righteousness, who forsook all worldly pleasures so that by His service we may stand, cleansed by His blood, in His Father’s presence, and inherit all spiritual blessings with Him in heavenly places.
Faith can FLOURISH.
Faith can FLOURISH.
This speaks of the coming judgment.
What confidence will you have when standing before your Creator on the day everything will be tested in judgment?
That day of judgment is coming soon.
Our deeds will be examined and tested by fire.
What will remain?
Will you be consumed?
Deacons reveal to us the gospel message that the quality of our work, the reward for our service, is measured only by our faith — our faith in Christ.
7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Hear the word of the Lord - “For those who have served well...”
May we hear the words “Well done — good and faithful servant.”
Amen.