Introduction

• I Timothy 3:8-13

The word “deacon” (diakonos)

• Often translated “servant” or “minister.”
• Romans 16:1-2 – Same Greek word used here for Phoebe. She doesn’t seem to be a deacon in the special sense of I Timothy 3.
• Romans 15:8; 13:4
• All Christians are servants, but I Timothy 3 is talking about something above and beyond that.

I Timothy 3:8-13

• “first be tested”
  • These qualifications are the test.
• “beyond reproach”
  • A deacon should be blameless.
  • I John 1:8 – We all sin.
  • We can only be blameless through the grace of God.
  • Colossians 1:21
• “dignity”
  • Is a man serious and respectful enough for this work?
• “not double-tongued”
  • Speaks the truth.
• “not addicted to much wine”
  • This does not imply permission for a little win.
  • I Timothy 5:23
  • When the extreme measure is condemned, it does not all the half measure.
• “[not] fond of sordid gain”
• “holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience”
  • Mystery just means it wasn’t yet fully revealed.
  • Colossians 1:25-26
  • A deacon should be a man who is holding to God’s truth.
• “Women”
  • Same word in Greek means both woman and wife. Context must indicate which.
  • This seems to be speaking about wives of deacons.
• “Women must likewise be dignified”
• “not malicious gossips”
• “temperate”
  • Sober and self-controlled.
• “faithful in all things”
• “husbands of only one wife”
  • Bachelors and polygamists are forbidden from serving as deacons.
  • This does not seem to be forbidding those who have been remarried, as long as it was lawful in God’s eyes.
• “good managers of their children and their own households”
• “a high standing”
  • This is a service worthy of respect.
  • What work should deacons do?
  • Acts 6:1-4 – Are these men the first deacons? There are parallels, but the qualifications are not exactly the same.