8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain,
9 holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless.
11 Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect.
12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households.
13 For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Vs. 8: - Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain,
"Deacons" - Deacons are chosen to serve by working in the body, whereas elders are called to lead the church (not rule it, but lead by service). The deacon is the implementer of the service the church needs. 'Deacon' is a different church office than 'Elder'. The list of attributes for a deacon is just as daunting as it is for an elder. Does it seem unreasonable to have such high standards for church leaders? Does that sound like a dumb question?
As the church matured, women were called deacons (deaconess sounds stuffy). They served in the local body and were honored because they stepped up. Why are women deacons and not elders? I think the following list plus the admonition in chapter 2:12 will help us understand. Deacons are not teachers (called as such), they are workers. I know that some deacons have also the gift of teaching. So a deacon could well be a teacher.
To clarify, the scriptural description of deacon is a person who serves the needs of the members of the church. In the very early church there was no government organization that provided for the physical welfare of citizens (No ‘Department of Human Services’, no ‘Welfare’ nor ‘Social Security’). Even though God told the Jews to care for the widows and orphans (Zech. 7:8-11) their obedience was spotty at best. There appears to be no functionary within the Jewish religion to take care of the needy. This is something new - people called and appointed to provide for the needs of the church. The supplies are not coming from the pocketbook of the deacons only, but from the tithes and offerings of the church.
There are eight (8) attributes for deacons listed in these verses, and four (4) for the deacon’s wives.
(1) "dignified" - honest and trustworthy. Deacons are to be honorable in deeds and with people.
(2) "not two-faced" - No accomplished liars need apply. Someone who is honest and trustworthy (see above) will not be one person with you, and a different person with someone else. You can trust this person when he gives his word. No written contracts are necessary - his word is his bond.
(3) "not given to excessive drinking" - not a drunkard. This is not a admonition to refrain from alcoholic beverages. A little later in this letter (5:23), Paul instructs Timothy to drink a little wine for his ailments. There are plenty of warnings about getting drunk, and using too much wine, especially in Proverbs and some of the prophets. Too much wine (alcoholic beverages, in general) dulls the senses, clouds the judgment.
(4) "not greedy for gain" - not out for 'filthy lucre' (KJV), not out to make money off the church from funds intended for the needy of the church. The idea of getting rich from the church not only seems wrong - it is wrong. The duty of the deacon is to take the offerings, whether cash or goods, and distribute these to those in need. I think, but am not sure, that many of the first believers were not the wealthy, but the downtrodden, the widows and orphans. Also, after a few years the church would begin to acquire widows by attrition. More on this later. The deacons were to distribute the offerings to those who need it. Money would be passing through the deacons to the church members. The deacons must be honest, and not skimming a percentage for themselves.
The Bible has plenty of warnings about riches. Usually in reference to depending on riches instead of the Lord. (For example: Luke 12:15; Heb. 13:5; Matt. 19:20-24) On the other hand, the apostles were not called to a life of poverty. Those who dedicated their full time to studying the scripture, teaching and preaching were to be considered worthy of wages. (1 Tim. 5:17, 18)
(5) "holding to the mystery of the faith" - a firm and steady believer in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This has been said before, 'mystery' in the Biblical sense does not mean the 'Hound of the Baskervilles', or a Robert B. Parker, or Edgar Allen Poe type mystery. In the NT, a mystery is new revelation regarding Jesus' work for us or the church. The redemptive work of Jesus on the cross was foretold, but not understood by the Jews (or anyone else for that matter). The resurrection was not understood, even when Jesus told his disciples it would happen.
The disciples were totally surprised at Jesus being alive. They had watched him die! Their surprise is evident when we see the response to the women returning from the open tomb. How about 'Doubting Thomas'? "I won't believe unless I touch His nail scarred hands," followed by "My Lord and my God!" when Thomas’ eyes were opened (John 20:24-29). It is not that Thomas didn’t see Jesus, but his mind could not accept this information as true!
Prophecies concerning the church are harder to find in the OT. The church is the Bride of Christ - surprise! That Gentiles would be part of the church without being Jewish first - Surprise! Gentiles being brought into the kingdom of God was prophesied, but not understood. (See: Isa. 60:1-14; Hos. 1:10, 2:23; Amos 9:12) All these new things including, but not limited to, Christ living in me, being reborn (See John 3:1-9), the Holy Spirit teaching and leading from within - Surprise!
This is the mystery that deacons are to know and understand. If you don't understand and know this deep within yourself so that you are completely confident, how can you help others understand and know the wonder of Jesus loving you.
(6) "tested" - The local church body needs to check out the people who are aiming to be deacons. Are they believers? What is their reputation in the community? Will they be a credit to the church - will the community have positive or negative impressions of the church because of the life of the deacon in that same community? Do the deacons know Jesus as Lord and Savior? Are they living accordingly?
Vs. 11: - Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect.
"wives" - The wives of the deacons are part of the criteria? Wives are not mentioned in the rules for elders (see verses 1-7 above). The roles of deacons and elders/overseers are different. There is the aspect of authority and teaching for the elder position that is not evident for the deacon. The wives of the deacons may be more involved in their husbands 'work' than for the elders. The deacon is dealing with church member needs, and perhaps the informal network of wives will be more aware of needs, than would the men. The women may be co-workers in meeting the needs. If so, the wives should be of the same temperament and moral standing as the deacon husband.
(1) "dignified" - This is the same description as for the deacon. (See 1 Tim. 3:8 above).
(2) "not slanderous" - The wife is not to participate in gossip, especially gossip that damages someone's character. (See: 2 Cor. 12:20; Col. 3:8; Tit. 2:8) The sense of the word is that a 'slanderous' person by opposing God's will is taking the devil's "side" on things. The devil is described as a liar and a slanderer. He is the one who accuses you before God. Jesus is the one who stands for you and declares you innocent. You are His, and no one, not even Satan, can take you away.
| Satan says, "Sinner! Loser! Deserving of death!" Jesus says, "I have paid the price. They have believed and placed their trust in Me. They now have My life." God the Father says, "Why, yes they do. Their name is written in the book of life. Enter into My peace. Welcome, child, welcome." |
Spreading gossip is slandering people, just as does Satan.
(3) "temperate" - A sober woman, not emotionally, but figuratively. This person does not over-indulge in alcohol (commentaries say moderate use of wine, but I suspect beer and distilled spirits fall into the same category.) Temperate can also mean to be in control of yourself, and capable of devoting your will and actions to accomplish a desired end, serving God and Jesus to further the kingdom. Although that is a valid goal, that word is not the one used here.
(4) "faithful" - That is faithful in all things. This can mean that whatever she is given to do, it gets done. She is dependable for every task. This can also mean that she has accepted and believes that Jesus is the Son of God who came to die for our sins. She has placed her life in His hands.
Vs. 12: - “Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households.”
(7) "one wife" - Back to the characteristics of the deacon, the male part of the equation. This is a simple declarative: married; one man to one woman. In many cultures the idea of one man/one woman marriage is too restrictive. See the discussion of 1 Tim. 3:3 above.
(8) "good managers" - The deacon is to be 'fine, upstanding, citizen'. Not only is his public persona real and respected, but his home - wife and family - is also fine and upstanding. The reputation of this man is known throughout the community.
Vs. 13: - For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.An old aphorism says, “The proof is in the pudding.” The result of a faithful servant will be reflected back from the community and spur others to serve boldly for Christ as well.
"served well" - When the legacy of the deacon is reviewed, it will be apparent. See also 1 Cor. 3:11-15.
"good standing" - Jesus will say to the deacon who has served well, "Well done, My good and faithful servant." (Matt. 25:21,23) See also 1 Cor. 3:11-15. No other declaration need be made.
"great boldness in the faith" - How does serving the believers in the church equate to great boldness in the faith? The deacon is sharing the gospel without needing to go door-to-door, meetting people, or sharing the Four Spiritual Laws. The deacon is sharing the command of Jesus to "Love one another, as I have loved you." (John 13:34) Why does the deacon do these deeds? Because the love of Jesus fills and controls him. As the deacon sees lives changed, his life is filled with joy because he knows that it Jesus working in him and through him. He will not want to stop.
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