1 Timothy 3:8

“Deacons”: DIAKONOS: primarily denotes. servant, one who executes the commands of another,. servant, attendant, minister.

The word translated "deacon", usually has the ordinary meaning of “servant”. This word is used for Civil Government (Romans 13:4); Evangelists (1 Corinthians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 6:4; Ephesians 3:7; 1 Timothy 4:6); and various servants of the Churches (Ephesians 6:21; Romans 16:1). The translators of the New Testament realized that this also word has. technical sense,. sense in which the word refers to. specific work or office. Here they translated “diakonos” with the English word “Deacon” (1 Peter 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8; 1 Timothy 3:10; 1 Timothy 3:12). Note: In 1 Peter 1:1 we find servants and deacons. Both Greek words mean “to serve or minister”. The English word Deacon is an anglicized word given by the translators to distinguish between that work of certain qualified men and the work (service) of Christians in general.

1 Timothy 3:8 “Likewise”: Just so, in the same way. As Elders must be qualified men, “in like manner”, the Deacons must be qualified in all respects mentioned.

Consider the use of this term in Titus 2:3; Titus 2:6. The word likewise introduces. new category each time the word is used. The idea is that as older men have responsibilities, so do older women, as do younger women and younger men. Yet we are not to understand that the last group has all the responsibilities of the first three groups mentioned. This term does not mean that the deacon must meet all the qualifications given for the elder as well.

1 Timothy 3:8 “Must be”: Obviously the translators thought that the must be of 1 Timothy 3:2 is to be understood as attaching to these qualifications as well.

1 Timothy 3:8 “Men of dignity”: To be venerated for character, honorable. Worthy of respect or honor, noble, dignified, serious. The word points to seriousness of purpose and to self-respect in conduct (Vine p. 173).. man of high principle, who inspires respect by his conduct and deportment. Their tasks, however humble, are to be performed seriously and with becoming gravity (Eerdman p. 49). Often younger men can be prone to be too light hearted and irresponsible in certain duties given to them. The deacon must be dependable and trustworthy. “Their service will be done in the name of the whole congregation, and thus is not to be lightly undertaken” (Kent p. 137).

1 Timothy 3:8 “Not double-tongued”: Double in speech, insincere. Translations: “Not indulging in double talk” (NEB); “not shifty and double talkers but sincere in what they say” (Amp); “straightforward men”(Gspd).

A deacon, in his going from house to house, and in his dealings with those in need, had to be. straightforward man. The deacon will probably find himself often in the line of communication between the elders and various members. Therefore, deacons need to be men who are reliable in the presentation of facts, and those in such. position must resist the temptation, to tone down what the elders might say, or exaggerate the needs of the member. In addition, the deacon probably will be privy to information, personal problems of members, and so on that need to remain private. “Persons who spread conflicting tales among the congregation are not to be selected as deacons. Since the ministrations of such an officer would conceivably take him on constant rounds of visitation,. double-tongued person would spread havoc in short order” (Kent p. 137). ‘How easy to spread gossip, unless he is very watchful” (Reese p. 137).

1 Timothy 3:8 “Or addicted to much wine”:

The alcoholic content of ancient wine was considerably lower than that of modern wine. All wine is ancient times was light wine (that is, not fortified with extra alcohol). Concentrated alcohol was only known in the Middle Ages when the Arabs invented distillation (“alcohol” is an Arabic word); the twenty percent fortified wines were unknown in Biblical times.

“By the use of several historic citations, Dr. Stein establishes firmly that in N.T. times, before wine was drunk it was mixed with water. The ratio of water to wine varied, but the most common mixture seemed to be. parts water to. part wine. At times the ratio went down to. to. or even lower, but when it did the substance was referred to as strong drink. While the ratio of water to wine might vary, only the barbarians drink it unmixed” (Vanguard Magazine. Nov. 11, 1977). Reese reminds us that the above phrase does not mean that. deacon can be addicted to. little wine. Before one attempts to justify drinking in moderation, one should consider that present-day wines are considerably higher in alcoholic content than wines in Bible times.

1 Timothy 3:8 “Or fond of sordid gain”:

“Eager for base gain, fond of dishonest gain, greedy for money. Translations: “Not greedy for ill-gotten gains” (Ber); “or to questionable money making” (TCNT); “craving wealth and resorting to ignoble and dishonest methods of getting it” (Amp). In helping others, deacons will probably at times have access to church funds, distributing money, reporting expenses for reimbursement and so on. This would include turning opportunities for serving others into. chance for personal profit. “One could tell if. person were ‘greedy for money' if the important thing in this life is money and the things it will buy” (Reese p. 138). Compare this with the examples of Judas (John 12:6), Balaam, Gehazi, Achan (Joshua 2:21).