1 Timothy 3:8-16

8-13 14-16

8-13

8

The word deacon comes from the Greek word diakonos, which means servant and originally referred to menial tasks such as waiting on tables, this is the same word that is used in Acts 6:2 “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.”. This later became the word used to denote any service in the church and not just the serving of food. As I mentioned last week the qualifications for deacons and elders are identical with the exception of the ability to teach. Dignified, not double-tongued, addicted to much wine, and not greedy are specifically mentioned in verse 8 but Paul could have just said see verses 2-5 above.

9

While deacons are not required to have the ability to teach like an elder they do need to know the gospels and be able to explain them to anyone with confidence and a clear conscience. The mysteries of the the faith are the truths that were previously hidden in the Old Testament about Christ and all of his works, mysteries then but now that we are on the other side of the cross can be seen and interpreted clearly.

10

The person who is suggested to be a deacon should be known among the church and also their servant spirit and good character should be apparent to all. Blameless is not referring to sinless, as we are all still sinners, proving themselves blameless in their character and reputation, not mired in any kind of unrepentant sin, criminal or legal issues.

11

In verse 11 there is a difference of opinion on the use and translation of “their wives”. In the ESV and KJV this is translated as “Their wives” and seems clear that what Paul is speaking of is the male deacon’s wife, if he is married, but in the ASV this is translated as Women. Further MacArthur suggests that Paul is not referring to the male deacon’s wife but is speaking of women who serve as deacons. Paul uses the same word diakonos to describe Phoebe in Romans 16:1 “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae,” Calvin on the other hand notes that this is referring to both the wives of deacons and elders, as they will be helpers of their husbands in the fulfilling of their office and duties and their standing and character is to be held up to the same level.

12

Verse 12 again mirrors this same mention in verse 2 and then 4-5. The application of the earlier verses is the same for both offices and what was said concerning elders applies to deacons. They should be faithful to their wives or be sexually pure if single. This is the commentary put forth by Calvin who interprets verse 11 to be wives, MacArthur who seems to interprets verse 11 to be women states in his commentary of verse 12 to say, see verse 2 and 4 above.

13

The office of deacon, like the office of elder is a noble and honorable title and those who serve well and with all of their abilities and strengths gain a good standing for themselves. This however is not saying that they should become arrogant and think of themselves as above others, they are to always serve always with a humble spirit, lifting up others above ones self. With both offices ones personal learning and knowledge of the the faith should be ever growing and also their confidence in their faith through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit as to be better and better examples and beacons of light to the believing and unbelieving world.

14-16

14

Paul was planning on going back to Timothy sooner but was delayed and thus the reason for this first letter to Timothy is that if he is delayed further Timothy will have instruction on how to care for and how the Church should operate. This is also marks the half way and tuning point in Paul’s letter from mostly encouragement in the first three chapters and towards more warnings in the last three.

15

The church contains the adopted sons and daughters of God and thus is the household of God, the true and living God, and being the house of God one needs to know how to act and behave in it. The mention of the pillar would have brought to mind in this context images of the great temple of Diana in Ephesus which had 127 gold plated marble pillars and would have been magnificent to behold, also this is the only place in the New Testament that the word translated ground or buttress is used and it means the foundation where a building stands, but here Paul brings to the mind these images to describe not the church building but the truth of God’s revealed word that is the foundation and beauty of the Church of the living God which reveals the glory and majesty of Jesus Christ.

16

Paul uses an early Church hymn that in its six short lines concisely sums up the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it is great indeed. Paul again uses the term mystery as he did in verse 9 to describe the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Gospels. He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. Jesus condescended himself to come to us in the body of a man, vindicated or proved by the Holy Spirit to be fully God while being fully man, seen, known, and acknowledged by angels, including fallen angels meaning demons as the Son of God, proclaimed among the nations, nations meaning not only the Jews but Jesus is proclaimed by all Jew and Greek, Jew and Gentile, everyone to be Lord. Believed on in the world as our redeemer and savior and the only way to the Father, taken up in glory, raised from death, thus defeating sin and it’s penalty and taken up to be ever at the right hand of God the Father always making intercession for those that are his.