The work of deacons is one of the most misunderstood works in the local church. It has been observed that in some local churches the preacher does the work of the elders, the elders do the work of the deacons, and the deacons are not doing do any work. While this may be an overstatement, there is truth in the fact that some in the church do not know the Scriptural roles of the elders and deacons. Since we are in the process of appointing deacons, it is important for us to study what the Bible teaches about deacons. The “deacon” has different functions and qualifications in the denominational world, but our concern must be with what the Bible says concerning the work and qualifications of these men.

What Is a Deacon?
The word “deacon” comes from a Greek word (diakonos), which occurs thirty times in the New Testament. The word is usually translated by a form of the word “servant” or “minister.” The basic meaning of diakonos is “whoever renders service of whatever kind.”1 Thayer defines it as “one who executes the commands of another; esp. of a master; a servant, attendant, minister.”2 Diakonos is used of a king’s servants (Mt. 22:13), servants at a wedding feast (Jn. 2:5), civil government (Rom. 13:4), Jesus Christ (Rom. 15:8), Phoebe (Rom. 16:1), Apollos (1 Cor. 3:5), the apostles (2 Cor. 3:6), servants of Satan (2 Cor. 11:15), Paul (Col. 1:23), Tychicus (Eph. 6:21), and Timothy (1 Thes. 3:2). In fact, according to the general meaning of the word, all Christians are to fulfill the idea of diakonos!

In the local church, however, there is also a “special” kind of servant, appropriately translated “deacon.” Diakonos is translated “deacon” in only three New Testament verses. The first occurrence of the English word “deacon” (KJV) is found in Paul’s letter to the Philippians: “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” (Phil. 1:1). In this context, “saints” (which refers to all Christians) are distinct from “bishops” and “deacons.” While it is true that all bishops and deacons are saints, all saints are not bishops or deacons. This verse also shows that deacons work with bishops, who are the same as elders. The other two verses, where the English word “deacon” is translated from diakonos, are in First Timothy 3:8, 12, which are examined below.

Qualifications of Deacons
For the most part, the qualifications for a deacon are character traits that all Christians should have. The qualifications for these special servants of the church are as follows: “Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless....12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.” (1 Tim. 3:8-12). It should be noted that the men whose names have been submitted to serve as deacons (or anyone else for that matter) are not perfect. There was only one perfect human being, Jesus Christ (Heb. 4:15), who was also God in the flesh (Jn. 1:1-3, 14). However, these men whose names have been submitted should be examples in these qualification traits. The men whose names have submitted should also look within themselves to be sure they meet these qualifications and that they take serious the work of serving as a deacon. Unqualified men will hurt the work of the church (cf. Ps. 127:1).

Grave The Greek word translated “Grave [reverent, NKJ]” means “inspiring respect, high-principled, honourable.”3 In addition to First Timothy 3:8, 11, this Greek word occurs in only two other places, where it is translated “honest” (Phil. 4:8), and again “grave” (Tit. 2:2). This word indicates that one’s character is worthy of respect and honor. Do the men whose names have been submitted meet this qualification?

Not Double-Tongued This Greek word combines a word for “two” with a word that means “word,” or “saying.” The meaning is literally “twice speaking,” and from that, the idea of insincerity evolved. Thayer defines the word, “double-tongued, double in speech, saying one thing with one person, another with another (with intent to deceive).”4 Obviously, no Christian is to be like this (cf. Jas. 5:12), but especially those men who would serve in the capacity of deacon. Do the men submitted meet this qualification?

Not Given to Much Wine The word translated “given” comes from a Greek word which basically means to “turn one’s mind to,” and, as it is in this verse, to “occupy oneself with, devote or apply oneself to.”5 The man who would serve as deacon must not have his mind occupied with wine (i.e., alcoholic beverages). Thinking that first century Christians had no choice but to drink intoxicating wine is a misconception. All Christians are to “abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11). Non-medicinal consumption of alcohol definitely “wars against the soul.” Not only that, it impairs one’s judgment of right and wrong (Pr. 23:29-35; 31:4-5). Therefore, a deacon, or any Christian, must not be “given to much wine”! Do the men submitted meet this qualification?

In next week’s bulletin we will continue examining the Biblical qualifications of deacons. Remember, we should not expect perfection in these men, but we should see the qualifications in them.