1 Timothy 3:8-12

Introduction

Last week, I preached on the qualifications on being a bishop (elder or pastor). This week, the focus shifts from a bishop to a deacon.

The text opens with “Likewise.” In the same way that bishops have qualifications, so do deacons.

The qualifications for being a pastor or deacon in one of the Lord’s churches are greater than the qualifications for being the President of the United States or Governor of NY.

A church cannot compromise on truth and cannot compromise on the qualifications for a pastor or deacon. A reason is these two positions become the pillars that uphold the truth within a church.

If it is true that what the leadership in a microcosm, that congregation will be in macrocosm than having biblical pastors and deacons is of utmost importance.

Before getting deep into the text, we need to answer a question. What does the term deacon mean? This will help us in defining the scope of the position.

Deacon - To run errands, waiter, attendant. The idea is to perform menial task. A deacon is a servant to the church who is not afraid to do task that others may view is below them.

We can see this in 3 texts that helps paint a picture of what a deacons job description should look like:

Mark 10:43–45“But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” The term “minister” is the same word for “deacon” in 1 Timothy 3:8. The term for “servant” means “slave.” Jesus used this word as a concept of self-sacrifice. If you want to be great than you have to serve those among you.

Luke 22:27 “For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.”

Acts 6:1–3 “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”

The word “serve” is the same word for “deacon” in 1 Timothy 3:10. To serve those hurting financially at the church in Jerusalem.

Based upon how the term deacon is used In these three texts, a deacon needs to be in tuned with what is going on in the church so that they know how to best serve the church.

Character

1 Timothy 3:8 “Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;”

KH - Although the deacon does not hold a teaching office, his position does require an elder-like bearing.

Grave - He must be worthy of esteem and respect becasue of his behavior. A deacon understands the seriousness of life. He can discern the hour that we live in. He knows what is important for the church.

Acts 6:3 “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”

Honest report - a good witness or reputation.

Integrity that is seen by others.

It is likely that the other three character traits serve “grave” based traits staring with “not.”

Not double tongued - He is not telling a story to one person but a revised story to another person. In other words, his message does not change based upon his audience. Truth is truth regardless of who you are talking to. You can trust what this person says as the truth. He is respectable becasue he was credible and he was credible becasue his words were truthful.

Proverbs 15:4 “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: But perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.”

Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

Proverbs 16:24 “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”

Not given to much wine

The word “given” is the same word for “given heed” in 1 Timothy 1:4 “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.”

Do not allow wine to have the time of day, to take root in your life, and be influenced by wine.

Not greedy of filthy lucre - Sordid gain.

Within the character traits in v.8 respectability is the predominant theme.

Theology

1 Timothy 3:9–10 “Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.”

Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience - Know God’s word, grow in God’s word

Mystery is a common term used By Paul to describe something that was once hidden but is now revealed to those who have spiritual discernment.

1 Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

Colossians 1:26–27 “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

Ephesians 3:4–6 “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:”

Colossians 4:3 “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:”

2 Thessalonians 2:7 “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”

1 Corinthians 15:51–52 “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

Ephesians 6:19 “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,”

They need to understand the mystery of Christ.

A pure conscience. This is the third time that Paul brought up the conscience:

1 Timothy 1:5 “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:”

1 Timothy 1:19 “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:”

This means that not only must he have an intellectual understanding of the cross but must live by the cross. His lifestyle cannot betray his conscience.

Should be proved - You cannot be a novice and becasue of the scope of the job, you should first prove that you are worthy to task.

The idea does not necessarily imply a probationary period; rather a thorough examination to ensure both husband and wife fit the qualifications necessary.

Family

1 Timothy 3:11–12 “Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.”

Wives - She must mirror some of the same qualifications of her husband. Perhaps, she was expected to help him fulfill his duties as a deacon.

Grave

Not slanderers

Sober

Faithful in all things

House

A one woman kind of a man

Rule their children and house well.

Conclusion

1 Timothy 3:13 “For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Deacons purchase

A good degree - Before the people they serve.

“Degree” means a step. A step up in the influence gained by performing a deacons job appropriately.

KH - The deacon’s life speaks. Because of his elder’s like respectability, his informed belief as he holds to the mystery of faith, his living belief that issues in a clear conscience, his tested life oozes with character.

Great boldness - They have confidence and boldness in their own faith. They are drawing closer to God