1 Timothy 3:8-13

THE DEACONS 1 Timothy 3:8-13

Text 3:8-13

8 Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless. 11 Women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Thought Questions 3:8-13

84.

Deacons should be like the elders; in what particular?

85.

Is there a better word for grave?

86.

In what way would deacons be tempted to be double-tongued? Explain.

87.

Is there any possibility that a little wine would be permissible? Explain.

88.

Is filthy lucre confined solely to money? Why so called?

89.

How does Paul use the word mystery as related to the faith?

90.

If the deacons serve only in the material area, how is it that they are to hold the mystery of the faith?

91.

What would stain the conscience of the deacon? Why so important to have a good conscience?

92.

Does verse ten suggest a period of probation for the deacons? Explain.

93.

Who could ever be without blame? Discuss this in connection with deacons.

94.

Does verse eleven make provision for female deacons? Discuss. Cf. Romans 16:1-2.

95.

In what respect is the qualification not slanderers particularly appropriate?

96.

Why the general qualification faithful in all things?

97.

Is it here suggested that deacons must be married? Why?

98.

If a deacon must be married then it follows that he must have more than one child, and that such children must be old enough to be ruledis this so? Discuss.

99.

What is the good standing obtained by deacons? Is this a step toward becoming an elder?

100.

How could service in our present office of deacon, produce any boldness in the faith? How did it do it in the days of Paul?

Paraphrase 3:8-13

8 The deacons, in like manner, must be of a grave character, not double-tongued, speaking one thing to this person, and another to that, on the same subject; not giving themselves to much wine; not persons who earn money by base methods.
9 He must hold fast the doctrines of the gospel with a pure conscience; He must not, from fear or self-interest, either conceal or disguise these doctrines.
10 However, let these also be tried first, by publishing their names to the church, that if anyone hath aught to lay to their charge, he may show it; and after such a publication of their names, let them exercise the deacons office, if no person accuses them.
11 The women, in like manner, who are employed in teaching the young, must be stayed in their deportment; not slanderers and tale-bearers, but vigilant and faithful in all the duties belonging to their office.
12 Let the deacons be husbands of one wife only at a time, having showed their temperance by avoiding polygamy and causeless divorce. They must likewise rule with prudence and firmness their children, and every one in their families.
13 For they who have performed the office of a deacon with ability and assiduity, secure to themselves an honourable rank in the church, and great courage in teaching the Christian faith. For even the wicked must respect persons who show so much benevolence and activity, in relieving the poor, the afflicted and the persecuted.

Comment 3:8-13

1 Timothy 3:8. We should have little hesitancy in accepting the office of deacon; let us not stumble over the general use of the word; surely we will agree that many persons are called servants (the same word here used to refer to deacons), but this does not mean that all such persons are deacons in the sense here used. Philippians 1:1 should settle the matter: Paul and Timothy, servants (bond servants) of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons. All Christians are not deacons anymore than all older men are elders.

The like manner of verse eight refers to the necessity of being qualified for the office. Once again let us say that such qualifications are not given as ideals alone, but as definite qualities of character to be found in the men who serve.
Lack of dignity (not pompousness) is seen on every side. This is true because the service of deacon is not held in a serious or grave light. It is only when we are serious about the task that such seriousness will be reflected in our life. But whose responsibility is it to present a clear picture of the privileges and opportunities of the office of deacon? We need far more good evangelists like Timothy.
Why would a deacon be most especially tempted to be double-tongued? Would it be because of his oft visiting on behalf of Christ? How sorely tempted we are at times to say one thing to one person and something else to another, and on the very same subject. This must not be. We must fear the displeasure of God far more than that of man. Let the deacon consistently tell the truth at all times, with all people.
A reference has already been made to excessive use of wine. This must have been a problem in the church. It is a problem in our present society to an extent that we do not like to admit. There is no provision here for use of wine in any form. The text simply states that a candidate for the office of deacon must not be a drunkard. (Please see our special study on Bible and Wine in the last pages of this book.)
Greedy of filthy lucre goes much deeper than love of moneylucre means base gain of any kind. The thought of using the office for such gain is always present. The advantage of the Lord and not of self, is the uppermost thought of the truly qualified deacon.

1 Timothy 3:9. To compare the present day qualifications for deacons with the expression holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience is a glaring example of how far short we are of having men who meet such qualifications. Today the thought that a deacon should be a genuine student of the Bible seldom enters the mind. The mystery of the faith does not refer to some secret truths, but rather to that which was once concealed but is now revealed, The deacon is to have a grasp of the gospel in such a manner that he will be able to share it with others. This requires study and preparation on his part. Such a wonderful treasure must be kept in a clean vessela pure conscience, The deacon must not suffer from the accusations of his own conscience, because of the inconsistencies in his daily conduct with the faith he understands and professes.

1 Timothy 3:10. How shall we carry out the injunction of 1 Timothy 3:10? Shall we place certain men on probation as deacons and then if they prove themselves capable, appoint them to the office? This is strongly urged by some commentaries. However, the thought in the word prove does not suggest such a formal testing.

The lives of the candidates for the office should be carefully observed over a period of time by the congregation. Those qualities of character necessary to carry out the worthy work of the deacon will be observed by the Christians. This has to do with a testing of character and work in the ordinary course of the church life, What a responsibility this places upon the minister to make the congregation aware of what a deacon should be and do. After a careful informal examination such men who are to serve as deacons should be found blameless.

1 Timothy 3:11. A good deal of discussion is always in order just here as to whether we have a provision made for the office of deaconess. A reference is also always made to Romans 16:1-2. We must say Paul is not referring to women in general, for this would hardly be in place in the midst of a discussion of church officers, It must then refer either to female deacons or to the wives of the male deacons. The latter conclusion is our preference, We say this because of the absence to any other reference to deaconess. The term deacon is a masculine one. All the deacons mentioned are men(unless we are to understand Phebe was a deaconess in an official sense). The words of Guthrie are very much to the point just here: The reference is too general to postulate with certainty a distinct order of deaconesses, but some feminine ministration was necessary in visitation and in attending to women candidates for baptism. For such work certain moral qualities would be essential whether for deacon's wives or for deaconesses in their own right.

The expression faithful in all things is a very general one, but it has none-the-less strong implications: such women should live a life of complete consistency. The other qualifications have been discussed in connection with the elders and deacons.

1 Timothy 3:12. What we have said of the elders as to this qualification can be here applied to deacons.

1 Timothy 3:13. Perhaps the present day application of the text should not be our first thought in our comment upon it, but one cannot help but relate the service and standing of deacons here described with some men now serving as deacons. What type of service would be necessary to obtain a good standing in the sight of God and man? to say nothing of great boldness in the faith? Surely the responsibilities would entail far more than we usually relate to the deacons work. The New Testament deacon will be so conspicuous in his work among the flock that they will notice it. They will mark him in their own mind as a true servant of Christ. He will so teach and evangelize in his personal attentions to the saints as to gain by experience great boldness in the faith. These are but a few obvious applications of the text.

Fact Questions 3:8-13

68.

We should not hesitate to accept the office of deacon as a part of the present day church organization;why?

69.

How does the responsibility of the evangelist relate to the office of deacon?

70.

Why would a deacon be especially tempted to be double-tongued?

71. Is any use of wine permissible? Explain.

72.

What is filthy lucre? Explain.

73.

How shall a deacon acquire the ability to hold the mystery of the faith?

74.

Are deacons to be placed on probation? Explain.

75.

Is provision made for female deacons? You are under no obligation to accept our opinion.

76.

True deacons will develop a good standing before men and God, and great boldness in the faith. Explain how this is done.

BALLOT
DEACON

NAME_____________________________________

THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A DEACON

(Check on line where candidate qualifies)

1.

Grave. Serious about his important work,

2.

Blameless. After a careful informal examination, such men who are to serve as deacons should be found blameless.

3.

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. The deacon must not suffer from the accusations of his own conscience because of his inconsistencies in his daily conduct with the faith he understands and professes.

4.

Proved. The lives of the candidates for the office should be carefully observed over a period of time by the congregation.

5.

Not double-tongued. How sorely tempted we are at times to say one thing to one person and something else to another, and on the very same subject. This must not be. Let the deacon consistently tell the truth at all times with all people.

6.

Not given to much wine. There is no provision here for use of wine in any form. The text simply states that a candidate for the office of deacon must not be a drunkard.

7.

Not greedy of filthy lucre. This goes much deeper than love of money. Lucre means base gain of any kind. Do not use the office for self promotion.

8.

Husband of one wife. The deacon must be a one woman type man.

9.

Ruling his children and his own house well. Ideal family relationships help to qualify a man for service in the household of the faith.