1 Timothy 3 Pt. 6 Qualifications For Deacons & Their Wives

Before we examine the qualifications of deacons and their wives, we must ask "How does a deacon differ from a bishop, elder or pastor?

The book of Acts will provide the answer we seek.

A serious problem arose because widows were neglected. 

Acts 6:1  And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 

A problem was identified that needed to be addressed by the apostles.  "Grecians" refers to Jews who were born or lived in foreign lands and who spoke the Greek language.

The last verses of Acts 2 explain how the early Christians helped support each other with food, clothing or shelter. 

This practice continued and at this point, certain Grecian widows were overlooked when meals were passed out. 

This caused some complaining and as God saved more people, it was easier to lose track of those who needed food. 

It was a serious problem and the apostles show us how problems in a church should be handled. 

Apostolic instruction and priorities set.

Acts 6:2-4  Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3)  Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4)  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 

The apostles called the majority of the disciples to give them instruction. Apostles were to give themselves over to prayer and ministering the Word of God to others.

God appointed the apostles to a praying and teaching ministry. 

The specific need causing the problem was to be solved by having more people involved in serving tables, to bring meals to the Christians at Jerusalem. 

Therefore, the first deacons were chosen to fulfill this duty. Thus, a deacon is one who helps meet physical needs within the church, such as facilitating meals with the church family. 

A deacon may help set up for a meal, help serve it and help with clean up. He may deliver food to someone in need. 

The apostles directed the disciples to select 7 men. They gave 3 qualifications for a deacon. 

Each man must have a good reputation among the church family. Each man must be filled with the Holy Spirit and have wisdom. 

Wisdom is when we learn what God expects from us, and we put that knowledge into practice. 

God blessed the results and the needs were met. 

Act 6:5-7  And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6)  Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7)  And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. 

God put His stamp of approval upon the solution implemented by the apostles. 7 men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, were chosen.

The apostles laid their hands on them and sent them out to perform this important ministry of serving tables.

As a result, the neglected widows' needs were met, God was honored and His Word went out with power, as He saved many more people. 

This is the context we need as we look into the office of a deacon. 

Deacons are required to meet certain qualifications. 

1 Timothy 3:8-9  Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9)  Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 

A deacon must be "grave" which means having an honest character, a good reputation and being serious about his walk with the Lord.

A deacon must not be "doubletongued" which literally means saying things twice. It really refers to a man who talks to different people about the same subject matter. 

A doubletongued man will say one thing to one person, and say something different to another person. 

He speaks out of both sides of his mouth with the intent to deceive others. 

A double tongue comes from one who is doubleminded.  

Those who try to love God and riches, are doubleminded people, and they are unstable in all their ways (See Matthew 6:24; James 1:6-8).

Jesus taught us to have a singular focus upon the things of God. He said we must first seek the kingdom of God and trust our Father to supply our needs, for He already knows what needs we have (See Matthew 6:25-34)

Like a bishop, elder, or pastor, a deacon cannot be a drunkard, but must be spiritually and physically sober. 

Like a bishop, elder, or pastor, a deacon cannot seek this office with the intent to personally profit from it. 

A deacon must hold the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. The practical love of God's inspired truth is the most powerful preservative from error and false teaching. 

We keep a pure conscience by guarding against anything that defiles our conscience, or avoiding things that draw us away from God, and this preserves the mystery of faith in our soul.

Deacons must be men of proven integrity, not a novice.

1 Timothy 3:10  And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 

In selecting a deacon, these men must first be approved. This means that a new Christian is not ready for this office. 

A man under consideration for the office of a deacon must be known for seeking to minister to others. This connects with the idea of men who are of good reputation.

If they are entrusted with the office of a deacon, they must use it as God intended, and be blameless in all things. 

Deacons wives must also be spiritually minded with servants hearts.

1 Timothy 3:11  Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 

A deacon's wife must also be serious about her walk with the Lord. She must not be a gossip, or one who is known for spreading rumors. 

She must not be one who attacks the character of other believers. She must not be a drunkard or given to much wine. 

She must be faithful in all things: in supporting her husband, in attending her church, or in helping meet needs that arise.  

A deacon's family must conform to the teaching of God's Word.

1 Timothy 3:12  Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 

Like a bishop, elder, or pastor, a deacon should be the husband of one wife. That is, he should not divorce and remarry someone else. 

His family life must be ordered according to the scriptures. His home must seek to fit the model described in the Word of God. 

If he has unruly, rebellious children, then how can he be fit to serve as a leader in the church body?

Faithful deacons may be called of God to assume more oversight. 

1 Timothy 3:13  For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 

The families of deacons should be examples for other Christian families to follow. And the reason why the deacons must be thus qualified is because, the office of a deacon is subordinate to that of a bishop, elder, or pastor. 

Yet, if a man uses it well by faithfully discharging his duties, he can be prepared for more responsibility, such as a bishop, elder, or pastor. 

Those who served tables well in the church, may one day find themselves serving in preaching the word and in prayer. 

May we do our best to be Christian men and women who are serious about our walk with Jesus Christ. 

May we have an obvious love for God and others. 

May we seek to be of service to our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

May we involve ourselves in ministry even if we never serve as a deacon.

May our lives be an example for others to follow.

Bob