The Deacon

1 Tim. 3:8–13

The first deacons were appointed to be assistants to the Apostles, the pastors of the early church. In a local church today deacons relieve the pastors of other tasks so that they may concentrate on the ministry of the Word, prayer, and spiritual oversight.

The English word deacon is a transliteration of the Greek word diakonos, which simply means “servant.”

It is likely that the origin of the deacons is recorded in Acts 6.

Even though deacons are not given the authority of pastors, they still must meet certain qualifications. Many faithful deacons have been called of God to the pastorate after they proved themselves in the service of a deacon.

An important question that needs to be asked and answered pertains to the exact nature of these qualifications.

v  The Nature of the Qualifications

What exactly are these qualifications?

Ø    They are qualities of high moral character.  But they are more.

Ø    They are the marks of leadership, marks which demonstrate a man’s capacity to leads others in the Christian life.

Ø    As those qualities that mark a man for leadership, they are primarily the marks of spiritual maturity, the marks of one who has grown in Christ and has experienced the life-changing power of the Lord through the ministry of the Spirit of God and the Word of God.

This certainly fits the context which warns against choosing a “new convert” (1 Tim. 3:6).

But by way of further definition there are three more things about these qualifications as marks of maturity that are important in grasping the nature of these qualifications.

P    They are goals and they provide us with a target…

something we should all set our sights on. Since all believers should grow and mature in the Lord, these qualifications should be the goal of every believer, not just elders and deacons.

These are goals we will all strive for if we mean business with Jesus Christ. In essence this should be our aim because as these marks are realized, we will also be accomplishing the other goals God has for our lives (cf. Phil. 3:12-15; cf. also 1 Tim. 1:5-6).

P    Next, these qualifications are marks of identification and confirmation.

They make the person who possesses these qualities a marked person with the brand of Jesus Christ emblazoned across their lives.

Today, the church has lost its distinctiveness because, far too often, you can’t tell believers from unbelievers—and I am not talking about manner of dress. Rather, I am referring to values, priorities, pursuits, and godly character.

P    Finally, as marks of identification and confirmation, they also make the possessors of these qualities examples, patterns to follow.

They demonstrate the reality of Christ in our lives which enables us to be influential in the right way.

v  The descriptives of the qualifications

Ø    Grave (KJV) (v. 8a)

P    A deacon should be worthy of respect… a man of Christian character worth imitating.

A deacon should take his responsibilities seriously and use the office, not just fill it.

Ø    Not double-tongued (KJV) (v. 8b).

Can be translated as he must be sincere.

P    He is not a gossip.

He does not say one thing to one member and something entirely opposite to another member. You can depend on what he says.

Ø    Not given to much wine (v. 8c).

This describes a person who indulges in alcohol and drinks to excess. The fact that Paul advised Timothy to use wine for medicinal purposes (1 Tim. 5:23) indicates that total abstinence was not demanded of believers.

Sad to say, some of the members of the Corinthian church got drunk, even at the love feast that accompanied the Lord’s Supper and the Apostle Paul reproved and chastened them because of it (1 Cor. 11:21).

The Jewish people diluted their wine with water to make sure it was not too strong or intoxicating. It is a well-known fact that water was not pure in those days, so that weak wine taken in moderation would have been healthier to drink.

However, let me be quick to point out there is a vast difference between the cultural use of wine in Bible days and supporting the alcohol industry of today.

P    Paul’s admonition and example in Romans 14:21 would apply today in a special way…

“It is better not to drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.”

As believers, we want to give the best example and not be an excuse for sin in the life of some weaker brother.

Ø    Not pursuing dishonest gain (v. 8d).

Deacons handle offerings and distribute money to needy people in the church. It may be tempting to steal or to use funds in selfish ways. A Deacon must be trustworthy in handling the Lord’s assets. Stewardship committees in churches likewise need to have a sanctified attitude toward money.

Ø    Doctrinally sound (v. 9).

The “deep truths of the faith” means “truth once hidden but now revealed by God.” The great doctrines of the faith are hidden to those outside the family of faith, but they can be understood by those who trust the Lord.

Deacons must understand Christian doctrine and obey it with a good conscience. It is not enough to sit in meetings and decide how to “run the church.” They must base their decisions on the Word of God, and they must back up their decisions with godly lives.

Simply because a church member is popular, successful in business, or generous in his giving does not mean he is qualified to serve as a deacon.

Ø    Tested and proved (v. 10).

This implies watching their lives and seeing how they conduct themselves. In most churches, a new member or a new Christian may begin serving God in visitation, ushering, helping in Sunday School, and numerous other ways.

P    This is the principle in Matthew 25:21: “Thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things.”

It is worth noting that quite a few leaders mentioned in the Bible were first tested as servants.

Joseph was a servant in Egypt for thirteen years before he became a second ruler in the land. Moses cared for sheep for forty years before God called him.

Joshua was Moses’ servant before he became Moses’ successor.

David was tending his father’s sheep when Samuel anointed him king of Israel.

Even our Lord Jesus came as a servant and labored as a carpenter; and the

Apostle Paul was a tentmaker.

First a servant, then a ruler.

Ø    Godly homes (vv. 11–12).

The deacon’s wife is a part of his ministry, for godliness must begin at home. The deacons must not be men who have been divorced and remarried. Their wives must be Christians, women who are serious about the ministry, not given to slanderous talk (literally “not devils,” for the word devil means “slanderer, false accuser”), and faithful in all that they do.

It is sad to see the damage that is done to a local church and its witness in the community when the wives of pastors or deacons gossip and slander others.

Ø    A willingness to work (v. 13).

The Greek word translated excellent “standing” means “rank (as in the army), a base, a step, or rung on a ladder.” What an encouragement to a faithful deacon!

God will “promote” him spiritually and give him more and more respect among the saints, which means greater opportunity for ministry.

A faithful deacon has an excellent standing before God and men, and can be used of God to build the church. He has a spiritual boldness that makes for effective ministry.

P    He is to use the office, not just fill it.

It is a serious matter and a wonderful opportunity to serve the local church.

It is with this in mind and to this ministry you have set aside Nathan Shackleford and Charles Stargel to be ordained and to serve in the ministry office of Deacon within the fellowship of First Baptist Church.