The Qualifications for a Deacon
October 18, 2020
Commentary
Thirteen qualifications are given for deacons (servants). The original intention for deacons was to help meet the physical needs of the church so that the pastors could “give themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:1-4).
1. Grave – serious in purpose and worthy of respect (v. 8).
2. Not Double-Tongued – consistent with his speach (v. 8).
3. Not Given to much Wine – not a drunk or an alcoholic (v. 8).
4. Not Greedy for Dishonest Gain – not a lover of money; honest with his finances (v. 8).
5. Holding the mysteries of the faith with a clear conscience – he has spiritual depth (v. 9).
6. Proved – time and experience have shown his quality in the tasks of daily life (v. 10).
7. Blameless – there is nothing in his life that Satan could use against him (v. 10).
8. His Wife is Grave– she is serious in purpose and worthy of respect in her conduct (v. 11).
9. His Wife is not a Slanderer – not given to finding fault in others (v. 11).
10. His Wife is Sober – self-controlled; of sound mind (v. 11).
11. His Wife is Faithful in all things – trustworthy in everything (v. 11).
12. Husband of One Wife – a “one woman” man; not a flirt; not divorced (v. 12).
13. Ruling His Children & His Home Well – loving, disciplining, & instructing at home (v. 12)
After giving the qualification for deacons, Paul concludes the chapter with his reason for writing this letter to Timothy. In Paul’s absence it was necessary that Timothy should know how the church should function (vv. 14-15). Paul called the church (1) the household of God & (2) a pillar and buttress of the truth (v. 15). The mystery of godliness (v. 16) has been solved in the person of Christ Jesus. No amount of law keeping or good deed performing can make a sinner godly. But Jesus, the God-Man, lived the perfect life and died in our place, paying with his blood for our salvation and proclaiming us godly. Paul quotes a fragment of a hymn or a poem about Jesus used in the early church.
Application
It is my desire to be both a pillar and a foundation in the church. As a pillar I want to provide a stately appearance for Christ and at the same time help provide a strong foundation for His Word.
1 Timothy 3:8– 16 (NET)
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain, 9 holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless. 11 Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect. 12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you 15 in case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God, the support and bulwark of the truth. 16 And we all agree, our religion contains amazing revelation: He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
Illustration: Betrayal by a Friend
No treachery is worse than betrayal by a family member or friend. Julius Caesar knew such treachery. Among the conspirators who assassinated the Roman leader on March 15, 44 B. C. was Marcus Junius Brutus. Caesar not only trusted Brutus, he had favored him as a son. According to Roman historians, Caesar first resisted the onslaught of the assassins. But when he saw Brutus among them with his dagger drawn, Caesar ceased to struggle and, pulling the top part of his robe over his face, asked the famous question, “You too, Brutus?” (Today in the Word, August 13, 1992).