TEXT: I Timothy 3:8-13

SUBJECT: Studies in the Diaconate #2

Tonight--if God blesses--we will continue our study of the diaconate or "deaconship" as some have called it. Last week, we examined Acts 6:1-7, and learned: what a deacon is, what his qualifications must be, how he is chosen for the office, and what his value to the church is. In this second sermon, we will delve more deeply into his qualifications and discover something of his reward. May the Lord bless us with understanding, for Christ's sake. Amen.

First, a word about qualifications: deacons must be qualified! In v.8, we read, "Likewise deacons must be..." The word "must" is in italics, and therefore, not in the text. Or is it? Yes and no. The word is not; the idea is . "Likewise" links it to v.2. If "A bishop must" be qualified for his office, then "likewise" a deacon must be qualified for his. Therefore, we dare not make the choice of deacons into a popularity contest; nor must we pass by men for fear of offending them. One can be a church member--and a good one--without occupying the office of deacon. "Lay hands suddenly on no man, nor be partakers of other men's sins".

The moral qualifications come first, vv.8-10. "Likewise, deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also be proved; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless".

The deacon must be "reverent". The word means "worthy of respect". He is not sinless--no one is--but he is well-thought of by those who know him best. Don't confuse this with likability; whether you like him or not is immaterial. Do you respect him? That is the issue.

The deacon must be "not double-tongued". Negatively, he does not lie or flatter or slant things for personal gain. Positively, his word is reliable. In short: He is "an Israelite in whom there is no guile"; His "yes means yes and his no means no".

The deacon must be "not given to much wine". He needn't be a tee-totaler; but he cannot be dependent on alcohol. Why not? Because he holds a responsible position in the church, one that demands clarity of mind. And inappropriate or excessive drinking clouds the judgment. "It is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink; lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted".

The deacon must be "not greedy for money". One of his duties is to disburse church funds. But if he's greedy, he's likely to disburse them into his own pocket. Charles Erdman observed, "Judas was not the last treasurer who betrayed his Lord for a few pieces of silver". This trait, however seems to cover more than embezzlement. I know of a man who invested his church's money--tens of thousands of dollars--into a "get rich quick" scheme. He lost it all. He was no thief--hoping to skim the profits. But he was "greedy"--and squandered the Lord's money.

Perhaps we should put it positively: the deacon must be financially responsible. He mustn't horde the church's money; neither may he waste it.

Next, we read of his domestic qualifications, vv.11-12. "Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well". Let's take the verses in reverse order.

The deacon must be "the husband of one wife". The Greek literally reads: "a one-woman man". He must be devoted to his wife. Not a polygymist (common in the First Century); not a divorcee (common in the Twentieth Century); not a flirt (common in every century).

The deacon must "rule his own children and house well". He must be a good father, not "provoking his children to wrath, but bringing them up in the nurture and in the admonition of the Lord". He must be a good husband, being the "head of the wife" by "loving his wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it". Abseentee fathers and tyrannical husbands have not place in the diaconate. He must not only "rule"; he must "rule well". And this "ruling"--our Lord reminds us--is not the Gentile way, "lording it over them", but His way, "whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant".

The deacon's wife must be supportive of him. Therefore, she must be "reverent" or worthy of respect. She must be "not a slanderer" or malicious gossip. She must be "temperate" or "self-controlled". She must be "faithful in all things". She must be devoted to Christ. She must be submissive to her husband. She must be loving to her children. She must be interested in the church. She must be a "help meet" for her husband. Without her cooperation, the deacon will have no credibility or time to serve the Redeemer's church.

The deacon's reward is commensurate with his qualifications, v.13. "For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus".

A faithful deacon will obtain a "standing" in the church. The word means "pedestal". He doesn't put himself on it; others do. By seeing his life and being helped by his ministry, they "esteem him very highly in love for his work's sake". This boosts his "boldness" or confidence to serve the Lord's people with increasing vigor.

As you can see by this brief survey, the standards for the diaconate are high. Not every man is qualified for it. But some are. How do I know? Here's how: the Lord Jesus never commands His church to do anything without providing the grace to do it. Therefore, if he would have a diaconate in this church, He will provide the men for it. Let us look to Him as the Giver of "every good and perfect gift".