Deacons...

It was a great privilege and an honor to be allowed to preach last Sunday on

the offices of Elder and Deacon. I had a few  people come to me with

questions regarding the office of deacon so I would like to try and clear up

a few of these questions.

We must first remember that the word "deacon" actually means "servant". A

deacon is not a leader in the church. A deacon is a servant who works hand

in hand with the elders of the church to help serve the church body and the

local community.

As we read through the requirements of a deacon in 1 Timothy 3 we come

across verse 11.“Their wives [or wives, or women] likewise must be

dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.”  In

the ESV footnotes we see [or wives or women]. The greek word here is gyne.

The definition of this word is: 1) a woman of any age, whether a virgin, or

married, or a widow. 2) a wife, or a betrothed woman. The NASB translates

this word as "women". I believe this is the accurate translation. If this

word is translated as "their wives" then Paul is saying that the

requirements for a deacon is higher than that of an Elder who holds the

highest position of authority in the church. Paul does not give any

requirements for an elder's wife so I just can't see him giving a

requirement for a deacon's wife. Therefore I believe the correct translation

here for this word is "women".

When you read this chapter in its context it flows naturally as specific

requirements for male and female deacons. 1 Timothy 3:8-10 are for both male

and female deacons - indicated by the word “likewise”. As you read through

chapter 3 you see this word separate the requirements for elders, deacons

and female deacons.

1 Timothy 3:1-13

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he

desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the

husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,

able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,

not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all

dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how

to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must

not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall

into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of

by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the

devil. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted

to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of

the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first;

then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their

wives[ or wives, or women] likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but

sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of

one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 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.

We see here in verses 8 through 10 we see the requirements for both men and

women deacons;

1.  Dignified

2.  Not double tongued

3.  Not addicted to much wine

4.  Not greedy for dishonest gain

5.  Hold the mystery of faith with a clear conscience

6.  Tested

Next we see the additional requirements for female deacons;

1.  Dignified

2.  Not slanderers

3.  Sober-minded

4.  Faithful in all things

If you study these specific requirements you will see that these are natural

issues a lot of women struggle with, "not slanderers" meaning not gossiping,

slandering or lying. "Sober-minded" meaning not making decisions based on

emotions but making sound biblical decisions.

Next we see the additional requirements for male deacons;

1.  Husband of one wife

2.  Manages his household well

We see that these specific requirements are issues a lot of men struggle

with,

"Husband of one wife" meaning a one woman man, sexually pure. "Manages his

house well" meaning being a godly husband and father by leading his family,

not sitting back and making the wife lead.

Remember deacons are servants, not leaders (although they lead by their

example of serving well). If you study the greek word "diakonos”  in all of

scripture you will find it translated a few different ways, usually as

"servant", sometimes as "minister", and sometimes it is just translated as

"deacon".

We see women deacons serving throughout scripture;

Romans 16:1, I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant [diakonon] of the

church at Cenchreae.

Matthew 8:15, He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and

began to serve [dihkonei] him.

Matthew 27:55, There were also many women there, looking on from a distance,

who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering [diakonousai] to him,

Mark 15:40-41, There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom

were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses,

and Salome. 41 When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered

[dihkonoun]  to him, and there were also many other women who came up with

him to Jerusalem.

John 12:2, So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served [dihkonei],

and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at the table.

I believe the trouble we run into sometimes is when we go look to the greek

and see a word that is not exactly the word [diakonos]. We must remember

that, just like our language has many different words from a root word, so

does the greek. This word [diakonos] has many forms, a verb form, a

masculine form, a feminine form and a gender neutral form, plus others. We

must always go back to the root word. I know this is a little deep but I

want to make sure we understand that a deacon is a servant.

If you have any other questions please let me know. You can email me at

kwilson@brbctexas.com or just give me a call, 214-514-1383.

PK