Bird's-eye view
In this passage, the Apostle Paul, having just laid out the qualifications for overseers, turns his attention to the office of deacon. The word "likewise" indicates that this is a parallel set of requirements, demonstrating that the character of all church officers is of paramount importance. While the specific duties of deacons are not detailed here, the qualifications themselves reveal the nature of their work. They are to be men of serious character, integrity, and self control, deeply grounded in the gospel. Their service is not a lesser role but a vital one that requires proven character, a well-ordered home life, and theological stability. This section also includes a much-debated verse regarding the qualifications for "women," which we will see refers most naturally to the wives of the deacons, who are integral to their husbands' ministry. The passage concludes by highlighting the great honor and spiritual confidence that comes from serving faithfully in this office, reinforcing the dignity of the diaconate.
The central thrust is that the church's ministry of mercy and service, represented by the deacons, must be carried out by individuals whose lives are a testament to the transforming power of the gospel. The qualifications are not a checklist for earning a position but rather the evidence of a life already submitted to the lordship of Christ. Character, not mere competency, is the foundation of all ministry in the household of God.
Outline
- 1. The Character of Church Servants (1 Tim 3:8-13)
- a. Personal Integrity of Deacons (1 Tim 3:8)
- b. Theological Fidelity of Deacons (1 Tim 3:9)
- c. Proven Character of Deacons (1 Tim 3:10)
- d. The Character of Their Wives (1 Tim 3:11)
- e. Domestic Faithfulness of Deacons (1 Tim 3:12)
- f. The Reward of Faithful Service (1 Tim 3:13)
Context In 1 Timothy
This passage sits within a larger section of 1 Timothy where Paul is providing his apostolic delegate, Timothy, with instructions for bringing order to the church in Ephesus. The preceding verses (1 Tim 3:1-7) detailed the high calling and stringent qualifications for the office of overseer or elder. Now, Paul applies the same level of seriousness to the office of deacon. The word "likewise" in verse 8 connects the two offices, not in function, but in the non-negotiable demand for godly character. The church at Ephesus was beset by false teachers (1 Tim 1:3-7) and internal disorder. Paul's remedy is not a new program or marketing strategy, but the establishment of qualified, godly leadership. Sound doctrine must be embodied in the lives of the church's officers. These instructions are foundational for the health and witness of the church, which Paul will later describe as "the pillar and buttress of the truth" (1 Tim 3:15).
Key Issues
- The Nature of the Diaconate
- The Parallelism with Elder Qualifications
- The Meaning of "Dignified" and "Double-Tongued"
- The Identity of the "Women" in Verse 11
- The Relationship Between Household Management and Church Service
- The Nature of the "High Standing" Gained by Deacons
Servants of Substance
The office of deacon is an office of service, as the name diakonos implies. But we must not mistake service for servility or a lack of substance. The qualifications Paul lays out here are nearly as stringent as those for elders. While elders are tasked with teaching and ruling, deacons are tasked with the ministry of mercy and managing the practical affairs of the church. This is not a lesser work; it is a different work, and one that requires profound spiritual maturity.
Think of the first men set apart for this kind of work in Acts 6. They were men "of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom." Their task was to solve a practical problem, the daily distribution to widows, in order to free the apostles for prayer and the ministry of the word. But this practical work was not divorced from spiritual reality. A man who is dishonest with money, a gossip, or a drunkard can do immense damage to the church's witness, no matter how efficient he is. The diaconate is the church's tangible expression of Christ's mercy, and therefore the character of the men who hold this office must reflect the character of Christ Himself. They are servants of substance, men whose gravity and grace commend the gospel they hold.
Verse by Verse Commentary
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not fond of dishonest gain,
The word likewise immediately ties the character required of deacons to that required of elders. This is not a junior varsity team. They must be dignified, or grave, which means they are serious-minded men, not frivolous or silly. This doesn't mean they lack a sense of humor, but rather that they understand the weight of their office. They are not double-tongued, which is a vivid way of saying they don't say one thing to one person and something else to another. Given that deacons are often involved in sensitive matters of need and conflict, a loose or duplicitous tongue is a disqualifying fault. They must be men of their word. They are not to be men who indulge in much wine. The Bible does not forbid the use of wine, but it consistently condemns drunkenness and lack of self-control. An officer of the church must be master of his appetites, not a slave to them. Lastly, they must not be fond of dishonest gain. This is crucial, as deacons often handle the church's finances and minister to the poor. There can be no hint of financial impropriety or a motivation driven by greed. Their hands must be clean.
9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
This qualification moves from outward character to inward conviction. A deacon's service is not merely administrative; it must be rooted in deep theological soil. The mystery of the faith is a Pauline term for the gospel itself, the once-hidden but now-revealed truth of salvation in Jesus Christ. A deacon must hold this truth firmly. He must know what he believes and why he believes it. But this holding is not just an intellectual exercise. It must be done with a clear conscience. This means his life is not contradicting his doctrine. There is no hypocrisy, no secret sin that undermines his profession of faith. His orthodoxy and his orthopraxy are woven together. He believes the gospel, and he lives in the grace of that gospel without shame.
10 And these men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.
The office of deacon is not an entry-level position for new converts. Paul insists on a period of testing. This is not a formal exam, but a proving of their character over time in the life of the congregation. The church is to observe them, to see how they handle responsibility, how they conduct themselves, how they serve informally. Have they demonstrated the qualifications listed above? The church is to be discerning. Only after they have been tested and found to be beyond reproach, or blameless, should they be formally appointed to serve. "Beyond reproach" does not mean sinless perfection, but rather that there is no legitimate charge of hypocrisy or scandalous sin that can be brought against them. Their reputation is solid.
11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.
This verse is notoriously difficult to translate. The Greek simply says "women likewise," and it could refer to female deacons (deaconesses), or the wives of the deacons. Given the context, the most natural reading is that Paul is referring to the wives of the deacons. He has just listed qualifications for the men, and in the very next verse he returns to the men ("Deacons must be..."). This verse is an insertion addressing the women who are inextricably linked to the deacons' ministry: their wives. A deacon's work deeply involves his home life, and a contentious, gossiping, or unfaithful wife can completely undermine his ministry. So, likewise, she must share a similar character. She must be dignified and not a malicious gossip (literally, not a slanderer, the word is diabolos, from which we get "devil"). She must be temperate, or sober-minded, and faithful in all things. She is a trustworthy partner in the gospel work her husband is doing.
12 Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, leading their children and their own households well.
Paul now returns to the deacons themselves, specifying their domestic qualifications. Like the elder, a deacon must be a husband of only one wife. This is literally a "one-woman man." It speaks to his unwavering marital fidelity. He is not a polygamist, not an adulterer, not a flirt; his affections and his life are covenanted to his wife. This is the bedrock of his household. Furthermore, he must be a man who is leading his family well. The proving ground for church leadership is the home. Does he have the respect of his children? Is his household orderly? A man who cannot manage his own small domestic affairs is not qualified to manage the affairs of the church. Leadership in the church flows from faithfulness in the home.
13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The passage concludes with a great encouragement. Faithful service in the diaconate is not a dead-end street. It brings a double reward. First, they obtain for themselves a high standing. This can mean a good reputation before men and a position of honor before God. They are esteemed for their work. Second, and more importantly, they obtain great boldness in the faith. There is a spiritual confidence that comes from faithfully exercising one's gifts in the service of the church. Handling the Lord's money honestly, caring for the Lord's poor tenderly, and managing the Lord's affairs wisely has a sanctifying effect. It deepens a man's assurance and makes him bold in his witness for Christ Jesus. Faithful service builds a sturdy faith.
Application
These qualifications for deacons are not just for church officers; they are a picture of practical Christian maturity for all of us. While not everyone is called to the office of deacon, every Christian is called to be dignified, honest, self-controlled, and financially upright. Every one of us is called to hold the gospel with a clear conscience and to manage our households in a godly manner.
For the church, this passage is a summons to take the office of deacon with the utmost seriousness. We should not appoint men to this role lightly, as a way of simply filling a slot on a committee. We must look for men who have been tested and whose character is proven. And for those men who are called to serve as deacons, this is a call to a high and holy work. It is a work that, when done well, brings great honor to God and builds great confidence in the soul of the servant. The church's health depends in large part on having both elders who faithfully preach the Word and deacons who faithfully minister in deed. When both offices are filled with godly men, the church stands as a pillar of truth and a portrait of Christ's love to a watching world.