Understanding the Qualifications for Deacons in Acts 6
The qualifications for deacons are first outlined in Acts 6, arising from a specific need within the early Christian community. The passage describes the apostles' response to a complaint from Hellenistic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of alms [4, 6]. To address this, the apostles instructed the believers to "select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business" (Acts 6:3 ESV) [2]. This event is commonly understood as the institution of the diaconate, an office distinct from that of bishops or elders [1].
The term "deacon" comes from the Greek word diaconos, meaning a "runner," "messenger," or "servant" [4]. In the context of Acts 6, these individuals were chosen to manage the practical affairs of the church, specifically the distribution of charity, thereby allowing the apostles to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word [6, 9]. The men selected were Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus [3, 5].
The qualifications specified in Acts 6:3 are threefold:
- "Of good report": This indicates a need for individuals with an established reputation for integrity and trustworthiness within the community [8].
- "Full of the Holy Spirit": This emphasizes a spiritual qualification, suggesting that deacons should be individuals guided by divine influence and possessing spiritual discernment.
- "Full of wisdom": This points to practical wisdom and sound judgment, necessary for managing the logistical and interpersonal challenges of their role [2].
Later New Testament writings, such as 1 Timothy 3, expand on these qualifications for deacons, including requirements like being "husbands of one wife" and "ruling their children and their own houses well" [10]. While Acts 6 focuses on the initial selection for a specific administrative task, the principles of good character, spiritual depth, and practical wisdom laid out here form the foundational understanding of the diaconal office [8]. The selection process involved the congregation choosing the individuals, indicating a communal affirmation of their suitability [7].
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”
- Acts “Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. -- Acts 6:3”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Timon — one of the seven, commonly called "deacons." (Acts 6:1-6) He was probably a Hellenist. (A.D. 34.)”
- 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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Nicanor — Conqueror, one of the seven deacons appointed in the apostolic Church (Acts 6:1-6). Nothing further is known of him.”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 6 (introduction): The Hellenistic Jews complain against the Hebrews, that their widows were neglected in the daily ministration, Act 6:1. To remedy the evil complained of, the apostles appoint seven deacons to superintend the temporal affairs of the Church, Act 6:2-6. The progress of the word of God in Jerusalem, Act 6:7. Stephen, one of the deacons, becomes very eminent, and confounds various Jews of the synagogues of the Libertines, etc., Act 6:8-10. They suborn false witnesses against him, to get him put to death, Act 6:11-14. He appears before the council with an angeli”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 6:3: Wherefore brethren look ye out among you,.... Or "choose out among you", as the Syriac version adds, and as the Arabic and Ethiopic versions render it; which shows that this sort of officers, deacons, must be members of the church, and of the same church to which they are ordained deacons; and that they must be chosen to that office by the whole community, or by the common suffrages and votes of the people. So the (b) Jews "did not appoint (which may be rendered) "an overseer of the poor", in a congregation, without consulting the congregation;'' which officer seems ”
- 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”
- Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 6 (introduction): In this chapter we have, I. The discontent that was among the disciples about the distribution of the public charity (Act 6:1). II. The election and ordination of seven men, who should take care of that matter, and ease the apostles of the burden (Act 6:2-6). III. The increase of the church, by the addition of many to it (Act 6:7). IV. A particular account of Stephen, one of the seven. 1. His great activity for Christ (Act 6:8). 2. The opposition he met with from the enemies of Christianity, and his disputes with them (Act 6:9, Act 6:10). 3. The convenin”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 3:12: husbands of one wife--(See on Ti1 3:2). ruling their children--There is no article in the Greek, "ruling children"; implying that he regarded the having children to rule as a qualification (Ti1 3:4; Tit 1:6). their own houses--as distinguished from "the Church of God" (see on Ti1 3:5). In the case of the deacons, as in that of the bishops, he mentions the first condition of receiving office, rather than the special qualifications for its discharge. The practical side of Christianity is the one most dwelt on in the Pastoral Epistles, in oppositio”