THE QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACONS (2)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Last week, we began our study briefly looking at Acts 6.  As we noted, some see this as the first deacons of the church.  Others view it as a precursor to the office of a deacon.

 

B.   Before we look at the remaining five qualifications of deacons in our lesson today, let’s talk about the term “deacon.”

1.    It comes from the Greek word “diakonos.”

2.    Definitions:

a.    Strong (1249):  to run errands, a waiter

b.    Thayer:  one who executes the commands of another, a servant, attendant, waiter

c.    Vine:  servant, to hasten after, pursue (perhaps originally said of a runner)

3.    The word has two uses:

a.    It carries the broad definition of servant or minister.

1)    Matthew 20:26

 

But it shall not be so among you:  but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.

 

2)    Romans 13:4a

 

For he is the minister of God to thee for good…

 

3)    Romans 16:1

 

I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea.

 

4)    2 Corinthians 11:15

 

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

 

b.    It carries a narrow definition of men who have met the requirements and have been put into the office of a deacon in the church (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8, 12).

 

Likewise must the deacons be grave…Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife…

 

C.   In this study, entitled, “The Qualifications of Deacons,” we are using the narrow definition of the term.  This is a leadership position within the local congregation that is under the oversight of the elders of the congregation (See Phil. 1:1).

 

D.   In last week’s lesson, we looked at four qualifications.

1.    Blameless (1 Tim. 3:10)

2.    The deacon’s wife (1 Tim. 3:11)

3.    Grave (I Tim. 3:8)

4.    Not double-tongued (1 Tim. 3:8)

 

E.   Let’s now consider the last 5 qualifications for the office of a deacon.

 

 

 

I.             NOT GIVEN TO MUCH WINE (1 Tim. 3:8)

 

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine…

 

A.   The word “given”

1.    Strong (4337):  to hold the mind towards, pay attention to

2.    Thayer:  to turn the mind to, be attentive to, be addicted to

 

B.   Much wine

1.    “Wine” in this context refers to intoxicating wine, that is, wine with an alcoholic content.

2.    The word “much” describes the amount of wine

 

C.   The deacon is not supposed to be an individual who is a drunkard, a “tipper,” or what some refer to as “a jovial companion.”

1.    A deacon is not a man who allows his thoughts to be influenced by alcoholic beverages.

2.    A deacon is a sober, serious-minded, rational individual.

a.    He can think on his feet.

b.    He can make decisions.

c.    He can resolve problems.

d.    He can communicate rationally to his assistants.

 

D.   Two additional points:

1.    Included in this qualification would be the use of drugs that can alter the thinking processes of the individual.  Intoxicated and stoned men do not need to be in leadership positions in the body of Christ.

2.    Paul is not referencing the drinking habits of others in the church. 

a.    Some want to use this verse to say that Christians could be given to a little wine.

b.    Paul is setting forth one qualification of the office of a deacon.  He is not opening the doors for the consumption of alcohol to the church.

 

II.           NOT GREEDY OF FILTHY LUCRE (1 Tim. 3:8)

 

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre.

 

A.   Money talks.  This is an old expression that has been proven to be true time and time again.

 

B.   Greed is said to be one of the “seven deadly sins.”  Greed is defined as “an excessive lust for wealth.”

 

C.   A deacon does not serve for wealth.  Too, he is not influenced by wealth.

 

D.   NOTE:  In all realms of life there are people who try to use their wealth to influence, to bring about decisions, to cause change, and to make certain policies and programs are run according to their discretion.

1.    A rich member tries to get a deacon to get a program approved by the elders and he will make certain it is paid for.

2.    A wealthy member threatens to leave the church unless his family member or friend is put in a certain spot on a program.

3.    A deacon gives heed to a person who is prominent, but sloughs off a member who is poor or undesirable.

4.    The deacon will be given various funds for the work he is required to do.  There could be a temptation to appropriate them for his own use (Ex., Judas, John 12:6).

 

This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

 

E.   The man being considered for the position of deacon is not supposed to be a shady character who is involved in questionable business dealings that will bring big profits to his bank account.

 

F.    When greedy men are put into positions of leadership in the church, they often develop the mindset that the money of the church belongs to them. 

 

III.         HOLDING THE MYSTERY OF THE FAITH IN A PURE CONSCIENCE (1 Tim. 3:9)

 

A.   This qualification is a direct quote from 1 Timothy 3:9.

 

B.   “The mystery of the faith” is simply the teachings of the New Testament of Jesus Christ.

1.    It is called a mystery because there was a time when it was veiled or hidden from view, but now it has been disclosed by the apostles and prophets who made known the New Testament (Eph. 3:5)

 

Which in other ages was not made know unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

 

2.    It is called “the faith” because it produces faith and that faith is necessary for man’s salvation.

 

C.   The deacon must hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

1.    The word “hold” means to possess.  From that, it also involves “holding himself to the faith,” that is, adhering to it.

a.    He is a faithful Christian.

b.    He lives his life in harmony with the truth.

c.    He is not sloppy and lazy in his practice of the Christian religion.

2.    He does this with a pure conscience.

a.    He genuinely believes the Christian religion is genuine and firmly believes the truths that he proclaims and holds to.

b.    His faith is not counterfeit.  He is not serving simply to have the position.

 

D.   NOTE:  This is another qualification that points to the fact that the one being considered for the office is not a novice. 

a.    He has to have a knowledge of the mystery of the faith.

b.    Too, he has to live it out for a period of time in his life.

 

IV.         THE HUSBANDS OF ONE WIFE (1 Tim. 3:12)

 

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife…

 

A.   In the first century, polygamy and divorce were common aspects of society.

1.    Polygamy involves a man being married to more than one wife.

2.    Divorce was obtained for any and every cause. 

a.    Then, the person quickly remarried someone else. 

b.    According to the law of God, these were adulterous marriages (Matt. 19:1-9).

c.    “So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress…” (Rom. 7:3).

d.    The only exception to this was when a mate was involved in fornication in the relationship.  Divorce and remarriage was lawful in those situations (Matt. 19:9).

 

B.   Why would God be concerned about the marital status of a man.

1.    He wanted the man to honor his original pattern for marriage established in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:18-24).

2.    He wanted the man’s marriage to reflect the unique relationship that exists between Christ and the church (Eph. 5:32).

3.    He wanted the man to be one who honored his vows, was loyal to his wife, and exhibited self-control relative to his sexual desires (1 Cor. 7:2, 9).

 

C.   Three categories of men could be looked upon as “the husbands of one wife.”

1.    Men who were married to a wife for the first time.

2.    Men whose mates had died, and they remarried.

3.    Men who had put away their wives for the cause of fornication and had remarried.

 

D.   NOTE:  The view of Catholicism in regard to the celibacy of the clergy is directly at variance with the Bible.

 

V.           RULING THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR OWN HOUSES WELL (1 Tim. 3:12)

 

A.   The deacon is not a man who is newly married, having only a wife.  He must have children as well.

 

B.   He must have proved that he can rule his children and his own house well.

1.    The husband is the head of the wife (Eph. 5:25).

2.    The husband is the spiritual leader in the family (Eph. 6:4).

 

C.   His rule will be manifest in several ways.

1.    He teaches his family.

2.    He sets the proper example before his family.

3.    He makes wise decisions for his family.

4.    He disciplines his family.

 

D.   LESSON:  The home, not a school or business, is God’s training ground for leaders in the church.

1.    The church is like unto a spiritual family.

2.    A man can be a poor businessman, but an excellent family man and be an exemplary deacon in the body of Christ.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   The office of a deacon is not suited for every Christian man.

 

B.   God has a certain man in mind for the position.

 

C.   Those who meet the qualifications and take the position will be blessed (1 Tim. 3:13).

 

For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

1.    A good degree:  a step, a grade of dignity not had before

2.    Great boldness in the faith:

a.    As a leader, he must manifest courage in accomplishing his tasks.

b.    He has had the confidence of others place in him and that develops boldness within him.