Qualifications and Responsibilities of Deacons in Scripture
The office of deacon is rooted in the New Testament, specifically in Acts 6:1-7, where the apostles appoint seven men to manage the daily distribution of resources to the Hellenistic widows in the Jerusalem church [1, 3]. This narrative is commonly seen as the institution of the diaconate. The term "deacon" comes from the Greek word "diakonos," meaning "servant" or "helper" [3].
The qualifications for deacons are outlined in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. They must be "grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre" [2, 4, 10]. Additionally, they are to be tested before serving and must be "found blameless" [5]. Deacons are also expected to manage their households well and be "husbands of one wife" [2, 4]. The biblical text does not explicitly state the duties of deacons, but it implies that they are involved in serving the church's material needs.
Tradition has interpreted the role of deacons in various ways. Some see them as assistants to the bishops or elders, responsible for tasks such as distributing resources to the poor and managing the church's finances [7, 12]. Others, like John Chrysostom, understand the passage to refer to both deacons and deaconesses, highlighting the importance of the order in the early church [11].
The early church fathers, such as Calvin and Chrysostom, emphasize the need for deacons to be of good character and to serve the church faithfully [8, 10, 11]. Calvin notes that deacons should be chosen carefully, with their integrity and past life being scrutinized before they are ordained [8].
The role of deacons has evolved over time, with different traditions understanding their responsibilities in distinct ways. However, the core idea of serving the church's material needs and supporting the spiritual leaders remains a common thread throughout the history of the diaconate [1, 7, 12].
The biblical text also mentions women who may have served in a diaconal role, such as Phoebe, who is described as a "diakonos" of the church in Cenchrea [6]. This has led to discussions about the role of women in the diaconate, with some traditions recognizing deaconesses as part of their church order [11].
The appointment of deacons in the early church was often done with the involvement of the congregation, with the people having a say in who was chosen for the role [9]. This highlights the importance of the community's participation in the selection and support of those who serve in this capacity.
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Deacon — The office described by this title appears in the New Testament as the correlative of bishop. [[420]Bishop] The two are mentioned together in (Philemon 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:2,8) Its original meaning implied a helper, an assistant. The bishops were the "elders," the deacons the young active men, of the church. The narrative of Acts 6 is commonly referred to as giving an account of the institution of this office. The apostles, in order to meet the complaints of the Hellenistic Jews that their widows were neglected in the daily ministration, call on the body of beli”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 3:12 (LEB) — Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Deacon — Anglicized form of the Greek word diaconos, meaning a "runner," "messenger," "servant." For a long period a feeling of mutual jealousy had existed between the "Hebrews," or Jews proper, who spoke the sacred language of palestine, and the "Hellenists," or Jews of the Grecian speech, who had adopted the Grecian language, and read the Septuagint version of the Bible instead of the Hebrew. This jealousy early appeared in the Christian community. It was alleged by the Hellenists that their widows were overlooked in the daily distribution of alms. This spirit must”
- 1 Timothy “1 Timothy 3:12 (NASB) — Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 3:10 (BSB) — Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Deaconess — The word diakonos is found in (Romans 16:1) (Authorized Version "servant") associated with a female name, and this has led to the conclusion that there existed in the apostolic age, as there undoubtedly did a little later, an order of women bearing that title, and exercising in relation to their own sex functions which were analogous to those of the deacons. On this hypothesis it has been inferred that the women mentioned in (Romans 16:6,12) belonged to such an order. The rules given as to the conduct of women in (1 Timothy 3:11; Titus 2:3) have in like ma”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 3:8: Likewise must the deacons be grave,.... The apostle proceeds to give the qualifications, and so the rules for choosing another sort of officers in the church, deacons; whose work and business is, not to preach the Gospel, and administer ordinances; but to take care of the secular affairs of the church, and particularly to serve tables; to provide the bread and wine for the Lord's table, to attend at it, and distribute the elements from the minister to the people, to collect for it, defray the charges of it, and divide what remains among the poor; and they are to tak”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 14.3: should not be unknown, but that their integrity should be ascertained, like that of the bishops. And hence it is evident, that they are called blameless who are not stained by any marked vice. Besides, this trial is not for a single hour, but consists in long experience. In a word, when deacons are to be ordained, the choice must not fall at random, and without selection, on any that come to hand, but those men are to be chosen who are approved by their past life in such a manner that, after what may be called full inquiry, they”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 3:8: The deacons were chosen by the voice of the people. CYPRIAN [Epistle, 2.5] says that good bishops never departed from the old custom of consulting the people. The deacons answer to the chazzan of the synagogue: the attendant ministers, or subordinate coadjutors of the presbyter (as Timothy himself was to Paul, Ti1 4:6; Plm 1:13; and John Mark, Act 13:5). Their duty was to read the Scriptures in the Church, to instruct the catechumens in Christian truths, to assist the presbyters at the sacraments, to receive oblations, and to preach and instruct. As ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 14.1: 1 Timothy 3:8-13 8 . Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 8 . Diaconos similiter graves, non bilingues, non multo vino deditos, non turpiter lucri cupidos: 9 . Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 9 . Habentes mysterium fidei in pura conscientia. 10 . And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 10 . Et hi probentur primum; deinde ministrent ubi irreprehensibiles comperti fuerint. 11 . E”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.” Some have thought that this is said of women generally, but it is not so, for why should he introduce anything about women to interfere with his subject? He is speaking of those who hold the rank of Deaconesses. Ver. 12 . “Let the Deacons be husbands of one wife.” This 1204 1204 i.e. the verse before. must be understood therefore to relate to Deaconesses. For that order is necessary and useful and honorable in the Church. Observe how he requires the same virtue from the Deacons, as ”
- 1 Timothy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 3:8: We have here the character of deacons: these had the care of the temporal concerns of the church, that is, the maintenance of the ministers and provision for the poor: they served tables, while the ministers or bishops gave themselves only to the ministry of the word and prayer, Act 6:2, Act 6:4. Of the institution of this office, with that which gave occasion to it, you have an account in Act 6:1-7. Now it was requisite that deacons should have a good character, because they were assistants to the ministers, appeared and acted publicly, and had a great trust re”