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Deacons
THE DEACONS
Note: In this study the passage in Acts 6: 1-5 will be referenced upon occasion. This author is not convinced that the men selected in Acts 6 were deacons, nor is he convinced that they were not. However, these men were chosen to “serve,” and as we examine what the scriptures concerning the work of the deacons, we will certainly see the relevance of this passage whatever our view may be.)
1) What is the Greek word translated `deacon' in our New Testament, and what is its meaning?
(A) G1247, äéáêïíÝù, diakoneoô, Thayer Definition: 1) to be a servant, attendant, domestic, to serve, wait upon, 1a) to minister to one, render ministering offices to, 1a1) to be served, ministered unto, 1b) to wait at a table and offer food and drink to the guests, 1b1) of women preparing food, 1c) to minister, i.e. supply food and necessities of life, 1c1) to relieve one's necessities (e.g. by collecting alms), to provide take, care of, distribute, the things necessary to sustain life, 1c2) to take care of the poor and the sick, who administer the office of a deacon, 1c3) in Christian churches to serve as deacons, 1d) to minister, 1d1) to attend to anything, that may serve another's interests, 1d2) to minister a thing to one, to serve one or by supplying any thing
Part of Speech: verb, A Related Word by Thayer's/Strong's Number: from G1249, Citing in TDNT: 2:81, 152
Total KJV Occurrences: 40, ministered, 14, Matt 4:11, Matt 8:15, Matt 20:28, Mark 1:13, Mark 1:31, Mark 10:45, Mark 15:41, Luke 4:39, Luke 8:3, Acts 19:22, 2 Cor 3:3, 2 Tim 1:18, Philem 1:13, Heb 6:10, minister, 8, Matt 20:28, Mark 10:44-45 (2), Rom 15:25, Heb 6:10, 1 Pet 1:12, 1 Pet 4:10-11 (2), serve, 7, Luke 10:40, Luke 12:37, Luke 17:8, John 12:26 (3), Acts 6:2, administered, 2, 2 Cor 8:19-20 (2), deacon, 2, 1 Tim 3:10, 1 Tim 3:13, office, 2, 1 Tim 3:10, 1 Tim 3:13, serveth, 2, Luke 22:27 (2), ministering, 1, Matt 27:55, served, 1, John 12:2, used, 1, 1 Tim 3:13 (Brown-Driver-Briggs' Hebrew Definitions, Electronic Edition STEP Files Copyright © 1999, Findex.com, Inc. All rights reserved.).
(B) G1248, äéáêïíßá, diakonia, Thayer Definition: 1) service, ministering, especially of those who execute the commands of others 2) of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men, 2a) of the office of Moses, 2b) of the office of the apostles and its administration, 2c) of the office of prophets, evangelists, elders etc., 3) the ministration of those who render to others the offices of Christian affection especially those who help meet need by either collecting or distributing of charities, 4) the office of the deacon in the church, 5) the service of those who prepare and present food
Part of Speech: noun feminine, A Related Word by Thayer's/Strong's Number: from G1249, Citing in TDNT: 2:87, 152
Total KJV Occurrences: 34, ministry, 16, Acts 1:17, Acts 1:25, Acts 6:4, Acts 12:25, Acts 20:24, Acts 21:19, Rom 12:7, 1 Cor 16:15, 2 Cor 4:1, 2 Cor 5:18, 2 Cor 6:3, Eph 4:12, Col 4:17, 1 Tim 1:12, 2 Tim 4:5, 2 Tim 4:11, ministration, 6, Acts 6:1, 2 Cor 3:7-9 (4), 2 Cor 9:13, ministering, 3, Rom 12:7, 2 Cor 8:4, 2 Cor 9:1, service, 3, Rom 15:31, 2 Cor 11:8, Rev 2:19, administration, 1, 2 Cor 9:12, administrations, 1, 1 Cor 12:5, minister, 1, Heb 1:14, office, 1, Rom 11:13, relief, 1, Acts 11:29, serving, 1, Luke 10:40 (Brown-Driver-Briggs' Hebrew Definitions, Electronic Edition STEP Files Copyright © 1999, Findex.com, Inc. All rights reserved.).
(C) G1249, äéÜêïíïò, diakonos, Thayer Definition: 1) one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master, a servant, attendant, minister, 1a) the servant of a king, 1b) a deacon, one who, by virtue of the office assigned to him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use, 1c) a waiter, one who serves food and drink
Part of Speech: noun masculine or feminine, A Related Word by Thayer's/Strong's Number: probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands, compare G1377) Citing in TDNT: 2:88, 152
Total KJV Occurrences: 30, minister, 14, Matt 20:26, Mark 10:43, Rom 13:4 (2), Rom 15:8, Gal 2:17, Eph 3:7, Eph 6:21, Col 1:7, Col 1:23, Col 1:25, Col 4:7, 1 Thess 3:2, 1 Tim 4:6, ministers, 6, 1 Cor 3:5, 2 Cor 3:6, 2 Cor 6:4, 2 Cor 11:15 (2), 2 Cor 11:23, servant, 4, Matt 23:11, Mark 9:35, John 12:26, Rom 16:1, deacons, 3, Phil 1:1 (2), 1 Tim 3:8, 1 Tim 3:12, servants, 3, Matt 22:12-13 (2), John 2:5, John 2:9 (Brown-Driver-Briggs' Hebrew Definitions, Electronic Edition STEP Files Copyright © 1999, Findex.com, Inc. All rights reserved.).
The word “deacon,” whatever form that it may appear in always deals with “serving,” or ministering.” The deacon is a servant of the Lord and His church. Read the following passages. Can you tell which words are “deacon” in the original language?
Matthew 4:11, “Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him” (NAS).
2 Timothy 4:5, “But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (NAS).
Colossians 1:25, “Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God” (NAS).
2) To whom does this term refer in the following passages?
Romans 15:8, “For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers” (NAS). CHRIST
1 Corinthians 3:5, “What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one” (NAS). APOLLOS AND PAUL
Ephesians 6:21, “But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you” (NAS). TYCHICUS
John 12:26, “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him” (NAS). THOSE WHO SERVE JESUS
Romans 13:4, “for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil” (NAS). THE GOVERNMENT
3) Study the following references and list the qualifications for the office of deacon. Why would it be necessary for the deacon to have these qualities?
A) Acts 6:1-5, “Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 And the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 "But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 "But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." 5 And the statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch” (NAS).
If you read the disclaimer at the beginning of the lesson, you may note that these were not necessarily deacons (actually doubtful). But the qualifications given here were for men who were going to serve the Lord's church (in this case by waiting tables). Why would we expect those who would serve in a `public' ministry to be any less? Notice that their service would be visible to the members of the church and those outside of the church. They would be an example to all. What kind of example do you think that men serving in the church should be?
The apostles said that they were to be men who: 1) were of good reputation and (2) full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.
For “good reputation, see “THE CHURCH AND ME, X. OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH: THE ELDERS,” Appendix `B' (“Above reproach”) and Appendix `L.' (“A good reputation with those outside of the church”).
“Full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom”: I wish that I had in writing the words of the late Don DeWelt as he explained the meaning of “full of the Holy Spirit.” Many of our charismatic friends claim that this is some kind of a miraculous event or gift. Notice that Stephen was said to be a man “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” I think that that tells a little bit about being "full of the Holy Spirit.” Being "full of the Holy Spirit” demands great faith. DeWelt had said something like this; “Being "full of the Holy Spirit” is allowing the Spirit to have you, not just having the Spirit.” It involves living a Spirit led life as described in Romans.
Rom 8:12-17, “So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him” (NAS).
I believe that the wisdom that we're speaking of goes along with being "full of the Holy Spirit.” A man who allows the Spirit to lead him will certainly be a man of discerned wisdom. This will be a man who has “faith” (as Stephen) and confidence in God to deliver in all matters. James 1:5-8 reads, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (NAS).
B) 1 Timothy 3:8-13, “Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, 9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus” (NAS).
a) “men of dignity”
NT:4586, semnos (sem-nos'); from NT:4576; venerable, i.e. honorable: KJV - grave, honest. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.).
G4586, óåìíüò, semnos,Thayer Definition: 1) august, venerable, reverend 2) to be venerated for character, honourable, 2a) of persons, 2b) of deeds, Part of Speech: adjective
A Related Word by Thayer's/Strong's Number: from G4576, Citing in TDNT: 7:191, 1010
Total KJV Occurrences: 4, grave, 3, 1 Tim 3:8, 1 Tim 3:11, Titus 2:2, honest, 1, Phil 4:8
This is the same qualification given for their wives in verse 11.
Also: Titus 2:2, “Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance” (NAS).
And: Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things” (NAS).
The deacon is to be a man if integrity and dignity, honest, honorable and dependable.
b) “not double-tongued”
NT:1351, dilogos (dil'-og-os); from NT:1364 and NT:3056; equivocal, i.e. telling a different story:, KJV - double-tongued. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.).
DOUBLE-TONGUED, dilogos NT:1351 primarily means "saying the same thing twice, or given to repetition" (dis, "twice," logos, "a word, or speech"); hence, "saying a thing to one person and giving a different view of it to another, double-tongued," 1 Tim 3:8. (Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers).
Again we seem to have the qualification of honesty emphasized!
c) “not addicted to much wine” See “Not Addicted To Wine" in the study of elders.
However, notice that the word “much” appears in the qualifications for deacon and not elder. Does this mean that it's okay for the deacon to indulge in a little liquor but not the elder?
The word “much” is added here to what is said 1 Tim. 3:2 of the qualification of a bishop. It is not affirmed that it would be proper for the deacon, anymore than the bishop, to indulge in the use of wine in small quantities, but it “is” affirmed that a man who is much given to the use of wine ought not, on any consideration, to be a deacon. It may be remarked here, that this qualification was everywhere regarded as necessary for a minister of religion. Even the pagan priests, on entering a temple, did not drink wine. “Bloomfield.” The use of wine, and of strong drinks of all kinds, was absolutely prohibited to the Jewish ministers of every rank when they were about to engage in the service of God; Lev. 10:9. Why should it then be anymore proper for a Christian minister to drink wine than for a Jewish or a pagan priest? Shall a minister of the gospel be less holy than they? Shall he have a feebler sense of the purity of his vocation? Shall he be less careful lest he expose himself to the possibility of conducting the services of religion in an irreverent and silly manner? Shall he venture to approach the altar of God under the influence of intoxicating drinks, when a sense of propriety restrained the pagan priest, and a solemn statue of Yahweh restrained the Jewish priest from doing it? (Barnes' Notes on the New Testament, Electronic Edition STEP Files Copyright © 1999, Findex.Com. All rights reserved.).
I believe that a thorough study of the scriptures, and a serious consideration of the content of today's wine (intoxicating drink) will cause the cautios Christian to deny himself [or herself (Titus 2:3a, “Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine” (NAS).)] of this indulgence.
d) “not fond of sordid gain” See “Free From The Love of Money": THE ELDERS.
e) “holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience” See “Must Hold Fast To The Faithful Word": THE ELDERS.
f) “beyond reproach” See “Above Reproach" and "A Good Reputation Outside the Church": THE ELDERS.
g) “first tested”
This qualification is more than evident. The man must have been performing tasks (works, services) that already show his readiness for the work. How would those have been chose in Acts 6 if they had not exemplified these characteristics in their actions?
h) “faithful wives”
Their wives are to be, “likewise . . dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things” (3:11). Some translations translate this “women” which have lead some to believe that women can serve in the office of deacon, however this is a stretch, since he is to have a wife.
NT:1135, gune (goo-nay'); probably from the base of NT:1096; a woman; specially, a wife: KJV - wife, woman. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.).
WIFE, WIVES, gune NT:1135 denotes (1) "a woman, married or unmarried" (see WOMAN); (2) "a wife," e. g., Matt 1:20; 1 Cor 7:3,4; in 1 Tim 3:11, RV, "women," the reference may be to the "wives" of deacons, as the KJV takes it. (Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers).
The word can actually refer to either the married or unmarried woman, depending upon the context.
Matthew 1:20, “But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit” (NAS).
1 Corinthians 7:3-4, “Let the husband fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does” (NAS).
i) “husband of one wife” See “The Husband of One Wife": THE ELDERS.
j) “good managers of their children and their households” See “An Elder Must Manage His Own Household Well": THE ELDERS.
Discuss the importance of a deacon having a faithful wife.
4) Their wives are to be, “likewise . . dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things” (3:11). Some translations translate this “women” which have lead some to believe that women can serve in the office of deacon, however this is a stretch, since he is to have a wife.
NT:1135, gune (goo-nay'); probably from the base of NT:1096; a woman; specially, a wife: KJV - wife, woman. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.).
WIFE, WIVES, gune NT:1135 denotes (1) "a woman, married or unmarried" (see WOMAN); (2) "a wife," e. g., Matt 1:20; 1 Cor 7:3,4; in 1 Tim 3:11, RV, "women," the reference may be to the "wives" of deacons, as the KJV takes it. (Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers).
The word can actually refer to either the married or unmarried woman, depending upon the context.
When a servant of the Lord's Church has a home that is divided (worldly & spiritual), their `service' is going to be greatly deterred. After all, they are going to have a battle on their hands at home.
Even so must their wives be grave-Chrysostom, Theophylact, Grotius,
Bloomfield, and many others, suppose that by the word “wives,” here,
(ãõíOéêáò gunaikas), the apostle means “deaconesses.” Clarke supposes that
it refers to women in general. The reason assigned for supposing that it does not
refer to the wives of deacons, as such, is, that nothing is said of the qualifications
of the wives of bishops-a matter of as much importance as that of the character
of the wife of a deacon; and that it cannot be supposed that the apostle would
specify the one without some allusion to the other. But that the common
interpretation, which makes it refer to the wives of deacons, as such, is to be
adhered to, seems to me to be clear. Because:
(1) It is the obvious and natural interpretation.
(2) The word here used-“wives”-is never used of itself to denote
deaconesses.
(3) If the apostle had meant deaconesses, it would have been easy to express it
without ambiguity; compare notes, Rom. 16:1.
(4) What is here mentioned is important, whether the same thing is mentioned
of bishops or not.
(5) In the qualifications of bishops, the apostle had made a statement
respecting his family, which made any specification about the particular members
of the family unnecessary. He was to be one who presided in a proper manner
over his own house, or who had a well-regulated family; 1 Tim. 3:4-5. By a
comparison of this passage, also, with Titus 2:3-4, which bears a strong
resemblance to this, it would seem that it was supposed that the deacons would
be taken from those who were advanced in life, and that their wives would have
some superintendence over the younger females of the church. It was, therefore,
especially important that they should be persons whose influence would be
known to be decidedly favorable to piety. No one can doubt that the character of
a woman may be such, that it is not desirable that her husband should be an
officer in the church. A bad woman ought not to be entrusted with any additional
power or influence. (Barnes' Notes on the New Testament, Electronic Edition STEP Files Copyright © 1999, Findex.Com. All rights reserved.).
Obviously, in the ministry of deacon (or elder) the role of the wife would be of utmost importance. She must be a suitable helper (Genesis 2:18) for her husband in his ministry. As we said last week, the Lord wants His best to be at their best!
5) Again read Acts 6:1-5. Does this reveal anything concerning the deacons' duties?
Acts 6:1-5, “Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 And the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 "But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 "But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." 5 And the statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch” (NAS).
In this passage of scripture the men were selected specifically “to wait tables.” A deacon is a servant of God and therefore a servant of the Lord's Church. He must be available to serve as the need arises!
6) How does the following passage of scripture apply to the `officers' or `works' of the church?
1 Tim 3:14-16, “Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory” (NIV).
The church of God is “the pillar and foundation of the truth.” It seems to me, unlike many who claim that Paul is changing the subject, that Paul is instead making application to what he has just written, These men are to possess these characteristics as the servants of the Lord's church because it is, “God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” The importance of the message concerning Christ demands it.
7) How would you best summarize the responsibilities of the deacon?
I believe that we already have. But I feel the need to add this comment; “Many have often said that the elder is to be the spiritual leader of the church (along with the evangelist) and the deacon is to take care of the `physical' or `material' matters. And while I agree that the deacons work will certainly make the elders and evangelist more able to fulfill their spiritual duties, the deacon cannot and must not put aside his spiritual work as well. The deacon will often be about the business of the Lord, and the MAIN business of the Lord is to seek the lost and to edify the church!
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