4 Paul's Charge Concerning Deacons and Elders
Paul’s Charge Concerning Deacons and Elders Letters to Timothy #4 –1 Timothy 3:1-16: Paul’s Charge Concerning Deacons & Elders
Charge concerning elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7)
An honorable office (1 Timothy 3:1)
It is a work that deserves respect (1 Timothy 5:17)
It is a work that deserves cooperation (Hebrews 13:17)
It is appropriate to desire the office (1 Peter 5:2)
It must be sought with an attitude of service (Matthew 20:20-28)
It is appropriate for a man to seek this office, by cultivating the qualities pointed out in this chapter!
His personal characteristics (1 Timothy 3:2-3)
“Above reproach”: of good reputation in the community
“Husband of one wife”: he respects God’s laws, keeps his vows, and his marital status is not in question
“Sober-minded”: certainly he is not under the influence; but also, he is serious-minded (same word in 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8)
“Self-controlled”: his reason is in control of his emotions, sound-minded (same word used in Titus 2:2-5)
“Respectable”: modest, appropriate, dignified in behavior (same word in 1 Timothy 2:5)
“Hospitable”: receptive to other people, especially strangers (Hebrews 13:7)
“Able to teach”: an especially important quality in light of the emphasis given to teaching in these letters!
“Not a drunkard”: KJV “not given to wine” is a literal translation—he is not under the control of an addiction
“Not violent but gentle”: he cannot settle arguments with his fists; instead, he is gracious and calm in a confrontation
“Not quarrelsome”: one given to controversy, as opposed to fighting the “good fight” (1 Timothy 1:18)
“Not a lover of money”: some might use the office for selfish gain, a totally inappropriate motive (1 Timothy 6:5-10)
His interaction with others (1 Timothy 3:4-7)
“Manage his own household”: the qualities of a good father (Ephesians 5:25-28; Ephesians 6:4) are also necessary to lead the church
“Keeping his children in submission”: they are long-term projects, and tend to reflect the parent’s everyday character
“Not a recent convert”: he needs to have maturity and perspective, so as to not be overwhelmed by his position
“Well thought of by outsiders”: so that his appointment will influence them positively, rather than negatively
Charge concerning deacons (1 Timothy 3:8-13)
His personal characteristics (1 Timothy 3:8-10)
“Dignified”: related to a verb for “revere, worship”; he is a reverent, godly man, serious about serious things
“Not double-tongued”: he must be honest and sincere
“Not addicted to much wine”: he should instead be addicted to good works (same word used in 1 Timothy 4:13)
“Not greedy for dishonest gain”: he will naturally at times have oversight of church funds, and must be trustworthy
“Hold the...faith with a clear conscience”: though he may not necessarily be an apt teacher, he must be thoroughly sound and convinced in his own faith
“Let them...prove themselves blameless”: it should already be evident that he has the qualities of a deacon (or an elder)
Wives of deacons & elders (1 Timothy 3:11)
“Dignified”: same as 1 Timothy 3:8, reverent and godly
“Not slanderers”: in Greek, diabolos, a name for the Devil
“Sober-minded”: same as 1 Timothy 3:2, serious about serious things
“Faithful in all things”: for she has to keep confidences
Does the preceding passage refer to “deaconesses”?
Word translated “wives” could be translated “women”
The feminine equivalent diakonissa never used in the N.T.
Paul does refer to Phoebe as a diakon of the church (Romans 16:1), but this word is sometimes used simply to mean a servant (as in the Lord’s parable in Matthew 22:13)
Having authority or oversight over men is obviously prohibited by the teachings of Matthew 2:1-15; but work of deacons does not necessarily involve oversight of others
Women certainly do serve the church, however, and those who are appointed to ongoing responsibilities obviously should meet the criteria discussed here
The deacon’s interaction with others (1 Timothy 3:12-13)
“Husband of one wife”: as in 1 Timothy 3:2
“Managing their children and households well”: as in 1 Timothy 3:4
“Serve well”: it is a position of service, with a servant’s reward—good standing in the church and a stronger faith
Reasons for these instructions (1 Timothy 3:14-16)
The need for proper behavior in the church (1 Timothy 3:14-15)
If there is a way “one ought to behave” in God’s house, there are also ways one ought not to behave!
It matters what we do in the church, because the it is the “pillar and support of the truth”; if the church does not practice and promote the truth, who will?
This reminds us again that sound doctrine matters
Sound doctrine includes 1 Timothy 2:1-15 & 1 Timothy 3:1-16 (public prayer, roles of women, leadership)
Remember who is the true Head of the church (1 Timothy 3:16)
Paul often concludes a section with a “doxology” (song of praise)
This little hymn also exemplifies sound doctrine:
It teaches that Jesus came in the flesh (the Incarnation)
It teaches His divinity, witnessed by the Holy Spirit and by ministering angels
It teaches the universality of His mission
It teaches His ultimate victory and eternal glorification