1 Timothy 3:8-13

Deacons likewise…

1 Timothy 3:8–13 “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 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.”

The word for deacon in Greek is diakonos. It has many different meanings and connotations. Server, minister, agent, intermediary, courier, assistant, or messenger. Some of those descriptions have little to do with the office specifically but they all entail Christlike care for the body of Christ.

The office of deacon however is separate from the ministry of care that all believers should be a part of for the church. They are men who are biblically qualified to lead as deacons in an official and recognized capacity. Men who care for the practical needs and livelihood of an assembly of believers. Including all aspects of church life. Finances, food, moving, facilities, widow and orphan care.

The qualifications for deacons mirror the qualifications for elders, except for the gift of being able to teach. Deacons are to be qualified in two different categories: Personal Character and Spiritual Character.

I. Personal Character

Paul lists four personal qualifications in 1 Tim 3:8-13.

Dignified

Men who are worthy of respect/honor, noble, serious when it comes to their duties in the church. The same word is used when Paul tells Titus in Titus 2:2, that older men are to be dignified.

They are chosen from among our assembly, they have a good reputation within the church and outsiders, they are full of the Spirit, born again believers, they have wisdom in the Scriptures, and they love their Savior as their head and his body.

Acts 6:3–6 “Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 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. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.”

The book of Acts introduces the special need for deacons. They are needed not for menial tasks that are not important enough for the elders to take care of, but they are needed because of the greatness of importance it is to make sure the church is cared for in practical ways.

Not double-tongued

Deacons are not liars, hypocritical, or insincere deceivers. They are honest, hard-working, and live with integrity for their Savior.

They let their yes mean yes (Matt 5:37)

Not to be addicted to much wine

Rather they are known for being sober-minded, clear thinking, and display selfless self-control.

Not greedy for dishonest gain

Since some deacons will be involved with the handling of funds, the desire of their hearts must not be for financial gain as the motivation to sin. But to lovingly care for the financial resources that the Father has given to the bride of Christ.

1 Timothy 6:9 “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”

II. Spiritual Character

They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience

They must be tested first

They must be blameless

They must be the husbands of one wife, managing their children and households well