1 Timothy 3: Serving Well as Deacons

1 Timothy 3:8-13

What has gone before...

Paul warned Timothy to avoid appointing an inexperienced Christian to a position of leadership. The warning focused on comparing a newly sprouted plant to a newly converted believer, emphasizing their need for a deep, healthy foundation upon which to lead others.

Moving on...

1 Timothy 3:8-13 (ESV) "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."

In this section Paul introduces a second level of leadership: the deacons of a church.

DEACONS: diakonos "dee-AK-on-os" (an attendant; a waiter at table; a teacher and pastor); from diako (to run on errands)

With the introduction of this office of leadership, distinct from that of "overseer", we are thrust into the world of "Church Government".

What do you think?

Should church government be a major doctrine for Christians?

Is one form of church government more biblical than others?

Stripped of all non-essentials, what for you would represent the most basic, simplest, God-honoring form of church government?

Deacons

We've looked at "overseer", which means superintendent, one who "peers about", inspecting and watching out for the health of an organization. "Overseer" occurs in the New Testament only five times. "Deacon" means a servant, one who "runs" to serve others. This word occurs 30 times in the New Testament, most frequently translated in KJV as "minister".

"Deacon" was used to refer the the twelve apostles, Roman government leaders, Jesus Christ, a woman in the church, demons. Both Paul and Timothy were described as "Deacons".

Mark 9:35 (ESV) "He [Jesus] sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, - If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all."

Romans 13:3-4 (ESV) "For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good."

Romans 15:8 (ESV) "Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness."

Romans 16:1-2 (ESV) "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well."

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 (ESV) "Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness."

Ephesians 3:7-8 (ESV) "Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ."

What do you think?

What implications do you see in the fact that Paul identified himself as both an overseer and a deacon?

Given the wide range of people who were called "deacons", how do you think "overseer" and "deacon" are related?

Other Titles

At least six terms are used in the New Testament to refer to leaders in the church:

APOSTLE: apostolos (a delegate, ambassador or commissioner) - Romans 1:1, plus 80 additional references

ELDER: presbyteros (older, a senior) - Titus 1:5, plus 66 additional references

PASTOR: poimen (a shepherd) - Ephesians 4:13, plus 17 additional references

DEACON: diakonos (an attendant) - Philippians 1:1, plus 30 additional references

OVERSEER: episkopos (superintendent) - 1 Timothy 3:2, plus 6 additional references

SERVANT: doulos (a slave) - Romans 1:1, plus 126 additional references

With all of these words from which to choose, Paul selected only two for his exhortation to Timothy and the church at Ephesus: "Overseer" and "Deacon". Look at the following chart and discuss how the two offices differ and how they are the same.

Overseer and Deacon: What's the difference?

Overseer

1. Above reproach
2. Husband of one wife
3. Sober-minded
4. Self-controlled
5. Respectable
6. Hospitable
7. Able to teach
8. Not a drunkard
9. Not violent
10. Gentle
11. Not quarrelsome
12. Not a lover of money
13. Manages his own household well
14. Dignified
15. Keeping his children submissive
16. Not a recent convert
17. Well thought of by outsiders

Deacons

1. Dignified
2. Not double-tongued
3. Not addicted to too much wine
4. Not addicted to dishonest gain
5. Clear conscience
6. Tested first
7. Blameless
8. Dignified wife
9. Husband of one wife
10. Manages children and households well

What do you think?

What seems to be Paul's intent in separating the two offices?

What characteristics seen in the list for overseers might also apply to deacons?

What characteristics of overseers are clearly not intended for deacons?

What characteristics are unique to the office of deacon?

Distinctly Deacon-ish

Four characteristics might be seen as unique for deacons since they use distinctly different words:

DOUBLE-TONGUED: dilogos "DIL-og-os" (equivocal, telling a different story); from dis (twice) and logos (something said, including the thought)

CLEAR CONSCIENCE: katharos syneidesis "kath-ar-OS soon-I-day-sis" (clean co-perception or consciousness); from syneidon (to see completely; to understand or become aware)

TESTED: dokimazo "dok-im-AD-zo" (to test or approve); from dokimos (to be acceptable or approved); from dokeo (to think or seem, whether truthfully or uncertainly)

BLAMELESS: anenkletos "an-ENG-klay-tos" (unaccused or unreproachable); from enkaleo (to call in, as a debt or demand; to bring to account; to charge or criminate)

What do you think?

In what ways may these definitions support the notion that deacons are “overseers-in-training” or assistants to the overseer?

Paul's letter to Timothy described the character and ability of overseers and deacons. Did he also describe specific duties or responsibilities?

Feeding the Church of God

Only one specific function can be found for the office of overseer:

Acts 20:28 (ESV) "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood."

Titus 1:9 (ESV) "He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it."

Titus 2:1 (ESV) "But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine."

What do you think?

All Christians are to teach, or at least witness to, others: their family, friends, and those in need. It seems sure that Paul did not intend to say that only overseers were to teach. How is the responsibility to teach different for overseers and non-overseers?

What specific responsibilies and privileges should be given to deacons?

Who are the "overseers" and "deacons" at our church?

If a Christian is not an overseer or deacon, what are they?

photo credit: jenny downing via photopin cc