The Shock Absorbers of the Church Text: 1 Timothy 3:8-13
Introduction: The Dignity of Service
After laying out the high qualifications for the office of overseer, the apostle Paul turns his attention to the deacons. It is crucial that we not see this as a lesser office, but rather as a different one. The elders are charged with the ministry of the Word and prayer, with the teaching and governing of the church. The deacons, as their name suggests, are charged with a ministry of service, of practical administration and mercy. The word for deacon, diakonos, simply means servant. But this is not the servanthood of a doormat. This is the servanthood of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
The office of deacon likely has its roots in the crisis of Acts 6, where the Hellenistic widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The apostles, refusing to be distracted from their primary calling, instructed the church to select seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, to oversee this crucial ministry. This freed the apostles to devote themselves to the Word and prayer. This is the fundamental pattern. The diaconate serves the eldership by taking on the practical, administrative, and logistical burdens of the church, thus freeing the elders to focus on their primary task. The deacons are, in a very real sense, the shock absorbers of the church. They handle the bumps in the road so that the whole vehicle can move forward smoothly.
Because of this, the character of the men who fill this office is of paramount importance. Notice that the qualifications for deacons are nearly identical to those of the elders. The primary difference is that a deacon is not required to be "able to teach." While they may be called upon to minister the Word in some fashion, their primary office is not one of authoritative teaching. But in terms of character, godliness, and self-control, the standard is just as high. A church is only as healthy as its leadership, and that includes both elders and deacons. When these offices are filled with godly men, the church is a formidable force for the kingdom. When they are filled with carnal or unqualified men, the church becomes a soap opera.
This passage gives us a clear profile of the kind of man who should be a deacon, the kind of home he must lead, and the great reward that comes from faithful service. It is a high calling, and one that we must take with the utmost seriousness.
The Text
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not fond of dishonest gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And these men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, leading their children and their own households well. 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.
(1 Timothy 3:8-13 LSB)
The Deacon's Personal Character (vv. 8-9)
Paul begins with the internal qualities that must mark a deacon.
"Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not fond of dishonest gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience." (1 Timothy 3:8-9 LSB)
The word "likewise" connects these qualifications back to those of the overseers. The standard of character is congruous. They must be "dignified," or grave. This doesn't mean they must be somber or without a sense of humor. It means they must be serious-minded about the things of God. They are not frivolous men. They carry a certain weightiness because they walk with God.
"Not double-tongued." A deacon is often in a position to know the needs and struggles of many people in the congregation. He might be involved in distributing benevolence funds or organizing practical help. This requires immense discretion. A double-tongued man says one thing to one person and another thing to another. He is a tale-bearer, a man-pleaser, whose words cannot be trusted. Such a man is a walking ecclesiastical disaster. He leaves a trail of confusion and hurt feelings. A deacon's word must be his bond.
"Not indulging in much wine." As with the elders, this is not a call for teetotalism, which is a modern invention, but for self-control. A man who is given to excess in drink is a man who is not ruled by the Spirit. He is unreliable and his judgment is compromised. This is particularly important for deacons who may be visiting the homes of the afflicted, where sobriety and clear-headed wisdom are essential.
"Not fond of dishonest gain." Deacons frequently handle the church's finances. They are entrusted with the offerings of God's people. A man who loves money, who is always looking for an angle, who cuts corners in his own business dealings, is not fit to handle the Lord's treasury. He must be a man of unimpeachable integrity, content with what he has, and generous in his own spirit.
Finally, and most importantly, he must be "holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience." The "mystery of the faith" is the gospel itself, the once-hidden but now-revealed truth of salvation in Jesus Christ. A deacon must have a firm grasp on this truth. He must not be doctrinally fuzzy. But notice, it is not enough to just know the truth; he must hold it with a "clear conscience." This means his life must match his doctrine. There is no hypocrisy, no secret sin that contradicts the faith he professes. His conscience, trained by the Word, does not condemn him. This is a man who lives out the gospel he believes.
The Deacon's Public Reputation (v. 10)
Before a man is appointed, he must have a proven track record.
"And these men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach." (1 Timothy 3:10 LSB)
The diaconate is not a training ground for novices. It is a role for men who have already demonstrated their faithfulness. The word "tested" implies a period of observation. How does this man handle his responsibilities at home, at work, and in the church? Is he reliable? Does he serve without fanfare? Does he demonstrate wisdom in his dealings? The church leadership and the congregation should be able to look at his life and see a consistent pattern of godly character.
If he passes this period of testing, then he may serve "if they are beyond reproach." This is the same standard as for an elder. It does not mean sinless perfection. It means that there is no legitimate charge of scandalous sin or disqualifying character flaw that can be brought against him. His reputation is solid. He is a man who has shown himself to be trustworthy.
The Mysterious Women of Verse 11
Paul then inserts a qualification that has been the subject of much debate.
"Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things." (1 Timothy 3:11 LSB)
Who are these women? The Greek is simply "women," not "their wives." There are three main possibilities: that Paul is referring to women in general, to the wives of deacons, or to an office of deaconess. The first is unlikely, as it interrupts the flow of qualifications for church officers. The debate is really between the latter two.
Given that Paul resumes his discussion of male deacons in the very next verse, the most natural reading is that he is referring to the wives of the deacons. A deacon's wife is inextricably linked to his ministry. If he is a man of discretion but his wife is a "malicious gossip," his ministry will be constantly undermined. If he is temperate but she is not, the testimony of their home is compromised. Notice how the qualifications parallel those of the deacons: dignified, controlling the tongue, temperate, and faithful. A deacon and his wife are a ministry team. Her character is as vital as his.
This does not exclude the possibility of a separate order of deaconesses, which the early church did have, and which seems to be described in 1 Timothy 5 with the enrolled widows. But that appears to be a distinct office, not a case of women serving on the same deacon board as men, which would contradict Paul's clear teaching on male headship in the church (1 Tim. 2:12). So, in this context, the most straightforward understanding is that a man being considered for the diaconate must have a wife who shares these essential qualities of godly character.
The Deacon's Household Leadership (v. 12)
Paul returns to the male deacon and points to his home life as the primary proving ground.
"Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, leading their children and their own households well." (1 Timothy 3:12 LSB)
Like the elder, a deacon must be a "husband of one wife." This means he must be a one-woman man. It is a statement about fidelity and covenant faithfulness. His affections, his loyalties, his romantic and sexual attention are all directed to the wife of his youth. This excludes polygamists, adulterers, and men whose eyes and hearts wander.
And he must be "leading their children and their own households well." The family is the proving ground of leadership. A man who cannot lead his own home has no business trying to help lead the household of God. This does not mean his children must be perfect, but it does mean they must be under his authority, generally respectful and obedient. His household should be a place of order, discipline, and warmth. If a man's home is in chaos, if his children are in open rebellion, if his authority is routinely flouted, he is disqualified. How can he manage the distribution of mercy in the church if he cannot manage his own family?
The Reward of Faithful Service (v. 13)
Paul concludes with a wonderful encouragement and promise for those who serve well.
"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." (1 Timothy 3:13 LSB)
The diaconate is not a dead-end job. It is a role that, when fulfilled faithfully, brings great blessing. First, they "obtain for themselves a high standing." This refers to the good reputation and honor they earn both before the congregation and before God. They are esteemed for their work's sake. They become trusted and respected pillars of the church.
Second, they obtain "great boldness in the faith." There is a confidence, an assurance, that comes from faithful, practical service. When you are on the front lines of ministry, meeting needs, solving problems, and seeing God provide, your faith is not a mere academic abstraction. It becomes robust and muscular. This boldness is not arrogance. It is a Spirit-wrought confidence in the gospel. A man who has served well as a deacon knows that God is faithful, because he has seen it with his own eyes, over and over again. He has handled the stuff of real life and has seen the gospel work. This is the man you want by your side in a crisis, because his faith has been tested and proven in the trenches.
Conclusion: Servants Like the Master
The office of deacon is a high and holy calling. It is not for men who want a title or a position. It is for men who, like their Master, are willing to gird themselves with a towel and wash the feet of the saints. It is for men of deep character, proven faithfulness, and doctrinal integrity. It is for men whose homes are little outposts of the kingdom of God.
We must not treat this office lightly. We must pray for our deacons, encourage them, and honor them. And we must be diligent to appoint only those men who meet the clear qualifications laid out in the Word of God. When a church has godly elders who faithfully preach the Word and godly deacons who faithfully administer mercy and service, that church is a beautiful and powerful picture of the body of Christ at work.
And for those who serve, the reward is great. Not a reward of earthly power or prestige, but something far better: a good name before God and man, and a bold, unshakable confidence in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a good standing on which to stand when the storms come, and a boldness that will not shrink back on the last day. May God give us such men.