Mr. D's Notes on I Timothy
Rev. Stanley L. Derickson Ph.D.
Copyright 2000

CHAPTER 17

We want to look now to the office of deacon and to the ministry of women which some classify as the office of deaconess.

Whether there is an office of deaconess, you can dispute indefinitely, but to dispute the need of women doing this sort of ministry in the church is futile. Any church that is to succeed will have to have women that are willing to give assistance to the elders and deacons with the work of the Lord.

In my own mind when I hear the term deacon I am often reminded of some elderly gentlemen that served in that office in the church where I grew up. I was not a believer at the time, but I was still impressed with these men that served the church well.

Each and every Sunday the deacons would take turns - two of them sitting behind the table set with the Lord's table elements - and they would give a devotional relating to the observance then they would help serve the elements.

These men were men I held in respect, just from what I observed of them in the church surroundings. Later as a believer I became aware of some of these men and their lives outside of the church and this was consistent with what I had observed as a child.

I recall that one of these men and his wife were quite old and they were driving an old rattletrap of a car. Their son came home to visit and took them to the Chrysler-Plymouth dealership and bought them a NEW 1950 Plymouth. I would rather think that his family relationship pictured the thought of a proper family life of a deacon.

On the other hand there are deacons that could evoke a quite different feeling. Peter Marshall once said of some of his leaders "Tell my trustees when I am dead that they should shed no tears, For I shall be no deader then than they have been for years."

The deacons can have an adverse effect on church goers as well.

A mother was having difficulty persuading her son to go to church one morning.

"Nobody LIKES me at church!" said the son. "The members don't. The children don't. And the deacons want to send me to another church! I don't want to go!"

"But John," said his mother, "you've simply GOT to go. You're not SICK. It isn't RAINING. People are EXPECTING you to be there. And besides, you are 50 years old now and the MINISTER of the church -- so you simply MUST go!"

Verse 8. "Likewise [must] the deacons [be] grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;"

The office of deacon is quite often an office that is filled by men that don't really want to be in the office. Many are asked to do the office and accept the office only out of a duty to do something for the church. Many do not really have the desire to do the office and as a result, do very little for the church.

"Likewise" would indicate that the deacons will have qualifications just as the elders had. These are required qualifications and are not optional.

The deacons were first appointed in Acts 6:1-7. The deacons have to do with the material realm, but can be involved in spiritual area as bold witnesses.

One of the first deacons was Stephen and we know that he was soon preaching and giving his life for the Lord.

Within the material ministry there can be a spiritual ministry as well.

I'd like to list some possible ways that you could minister spiritually within the context of material ministry?

a. Working with someone on a building allows for interpersonal relationships and a time when the deacon could well get into witnessing, counseling or just encouraging. There could well be contact with contractors, repairmen and other businessmen that need the Lord.

When the pipes break in the winter and someone is struggling to get them fixed, an encouraging voice could be just what the worker needs.

b. Sharing of funds or help from the church with poor or needy will be a prime opportunity to share the thoughts of the Lord in encouragement or witness.

c. In asking for help from members of the church you are allowing others to serve their Lord. It may well be the start of their desire to go on into church leadership.

The word translated deacon has a rich meaning. Thayer mentions the following: "1.) one who executes the commands of another, esp. 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"

The term grave is used to show that they are dead in the pulpit. They are boring people to death. NO NO NO NO!

The New American Standard translates the term as "dignity." Not a teenage type, but a mature type. Kent mentions that it means "worthy of respect."

This is a positive term followed by negative terms.

"Not double tongued" has the thought of telling different stories. This includes, I think, saying you'll do something and then not doing it.

In short, the person would have to be classified a liar and this is not consistent with good leadership. How could you ever trust what the man said?

If you think back to the way the United States dealt with the Indian nations, we can find a perfect illustration of this term. The officials promised the Indians great things, but we all know that little actually materialized and that the Indians suffered greatly due to the "WHITE MEN THAT SPEAK WITH FORKED TONGUES."

"not given to much wine" seems to be rather obvious - not a heavy drinker. This in its context was a call not to abstinence but to moderation. Wine was a common beverage at the time, but to indulge overly was definitely wrong.

In our own day the thought of alcoholism is rampant and the need to drink wine for liquids in the body is not true. We have good clean water available and there is no need to drink wine.

Raymond in his book mentions, "If an individual by drinking wine either causes others to err through his example or abets a social evil which causes others to succumb to its temptations, then in the interests of Christian love he ought to forego the temporary pleasures of drinking in the interests of heavenly treasures." THE TEACHING OF THE EARLY CHURCH ON THE USE OF WINE AND STRONG DRINK; New York; Columbia University Press; 1927; p 88.

We may be free to drink now and then in the strictest sense of things, but we are not free to do so because in our day and age we need to limit our Christian liberty in this area so that we are not a stumbling block to others.

Adam Clarke puts it this way "Neither a drunkard, tippler, nor what is called a jovial companion. All this would be inconsistent with gravity"

"not greedy of filthy lucre" The deacon should be in the office because of a call and/or a desire not because of money.

When I told my father I was going to be a preacher he said, "Well I guess there's good money in that!"

Kent quotes Erdman's "THE PASTORAL EPISTLES OF PAUL", "Judas was not the last treasurer who betrayed his Lord for a few pieces of silver."

Years ago in the Midwest a church had noticed some items missing in the church - they found the pastor had been selling things to pick up some extra money. He confessed and they forgave him and they went on. They notice a few weeks later that the communion set was missing. Confession, forgiveness and they went on.

Not long and offerings began to disappear before they were counted. Confession, forgiveness, he left and they went on.

I don't think that this relates entirely to the office - outside of the church is not a place for greed either.

Wesley seems to be rather specific on this point. "Not desirous of filthy gain-With what abhorrence does he everywhere speak of this! All that is gained (above food and raiment) by ministering in holy things is filthy gain indeed; far more filthy than what is honestly gained by raking kennels, or emptying common sewers."

"Charles L. Allen tells a story, which he says was a favorite of Sigmund Freud, the Father of Psychiatry. It is about a sailor who was shipwrecked on a desert island and was captured by some of the natives of that isle. They carried him off on their shoulders to their village, where he was sure he would end up being the main course. Instead they put a crown on his head and made him the king. He enjoyed all the attention he was receiving but he grew a little suspicious. He started making inquiries about what this meant and discovered that their custom was to crown a stranger and make him king for a year. At the end of that year he was sent to a completely deserted isle where he was allowed to starve to death. Obviously this did not appeal to the sailor so he devised a plan. Since he was the king, the natives obeyed his every order so he ordered them to ship supplies to the isle where he would be sent when he was deposed. He had them build him a hut. He had them plant vegetables and fruits and clear the land for quite an adequate garden. When his year was up and they sent him to the deserted isle he lived in abundance. Hopefully this little story reminds you of Jesus' words about laying up things on earth as opposed to being rich toward God. Wealth can be dangerous or it can be used as a blessing. It can be used to allow us to store up good things in heaven. The choice is ours. Let us be wise in our attitude toward our material possessions that we might not end up being rich in things and poor with God." GOD'S SEVEN WONDERS FOR YOU; Charles L. Allen Old Tappan, NJ.; Fleming H. Revell Co.; 1987.

William Burkitt summarizes the qualifications well when he says "Let the deacons be grave, not guilty of levity, but serious and composed, men of a modest and becoming carriage; not double-tongued, nor over-talkative persons, nor saying one thing to one person and the contrary to another, according to the place or company they fell into; not given to much wine, not the thing, but the excess, is forbidden; not greedy of filthy lucre, seeking to get wealth by sordid ways and means."

Verse 9. "Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience."

"holding mystery of the faith" indicates those things revealed to the church age saints. (Hidden before) I Cor. 2:7-10 "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."

"in a pure conscience" would relate not only to belief, but to life. One serving God must have a clean conscience of his way of life. How could you honestly preach or share with others spiritually if your conscience wasn't clear about what you believed?

When I was a member of the IFCA (Independent Fundamental Churches of America) one of the requirements for membership was that each member was to sign the doctrinal statement and signify they were still in complete agreement with it.

One year I realized that there was a small phrase within the statement that I could not agree with. I felt compelled out of "a pure conscience" to attach a three-page statement that I was in disagreement and the specifics of why.

The purpose of the signing of the statement was so that each one would take a moment and question his continuing agreement, and I believe in part, check their conscience, just to be sure they could honestly say they did.

This might be a good place to mention that the deacon is not required to be a teacher, nor is he required to be able to teach, but he is not forbidden to teach either. A deacon may well have the gift of teaching and this would be one of his areas of labor.

Verse 10. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being [found] blameless.

They should be proved, checked, evaluated to see if they measure up to the standard set.

"ALSO" indicates that the bishops are also to be proved. This is done in the local assembly and not by pastors called in from here and there to examine a young man to see if he's worthy.

The thought of ordination is not in this text. The elder and the deacon are to be people from the assembly and as they live and work in the local church the church leadership and people will know the type of person that they are.

Acts 13:1-3 shows this concept in action.

"Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

"And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away."

No examination can guarantee how a man will build a church but holding your prospective leaders up to this sort of light may increase the odds.

Let them be deacons because they are blameless! If they aren't blameless, then don't allow them to be deacons.

Again the idea of blameless. The testimony of church leaders is critical to the church as well as to the church’s witness. Anyone that cannot live up to the standard set should excuse himself from his duties immediately.

Verse 11. "Even so [must their] wives [be] grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things."

"Their wives must be grave" Actually the term “wives” is not found - it is the thought of women. I assume from the context that text easily allows for women in a special ministry as the bishops and deacons - that of serving their Lord in a specific capacity.

Ray Stedman mentions, "The apostle now turns to women deacons. It is true that this word "women" here can mean the wives of the male deacons, but I do not take it that way, largely because there is no corresponding treatment of the wives of elders in the preceding passage. If Paul was concerned about how the wives of the deacons behaved, he would likely have been concerned about the way the wives of the elders behaved, but he does not say anything about them."

Stedman and others take this to show that there can be female deacons. This might be a possible interpretation, but in my mind there seems to be here a listing of offices and qualifications, thus there are elders, deacons, and deaconesses.

Verse twelve indicates to me that deacons are to be male. (Husband of, and running the house well.)

In Rom. 16:1 ("I commend unto you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the church which is at Chenchreae.") The term servant is the same word as used in Timothy - it seems to show the office of deaconess, servant - deaconess literally.

There is no indication in the text that these women are linked to the deacons, other than by similarity of ministry.

To have deacons and women that do this work that are "deacon's wives," as the text mentions, is not inappropriate, however the deacon's wives here in the text are probably not wives. They are just a group of women doing a work that should have the following qualifications.

"not slanderers" is literally "not devils." The Greek term is "diabolos" and it is normally translated devil - false accuser is another translation of the term.

I suspect gossips would be another term that could be used. I think that we all know what a gossip can do to a person or a church. They can ruin many years of good work in a single mouthful.

A pastor we knew was accused by one of the women in the church of making obscene phone calls. She had no proof and there were very few that believed her, but within a few months that man's ministry was ruined in the town and he was forced to move on for the churches sake.

Another account might illustrate the power of the tongue. " Abraham Lincoln's coffin was pried open twice. The first occasion was in 1887, twenty-two long years after his assassination. Why? You may be surprised to know it was not to determine if he had died of a bullet fired from John Wilkes Booth's derringer. Then why? Because a rumor was sweeping the country that his coffin was empty. A select group of witnesses observed that the rumor was totally false, then watched as the casket was resealed with lead.

"The second time, fourteen years later, the martyred man's withered body was viewed again--this time by even more witnesses. Why again? For the same grim purpose! Rumors of the same nature had again implanted doubts in the public's mind. The pressure mounted to such proportions, that the same ghoulish, grotesque ceremony had to be carried out. In spite of the strong protests of Lincoln's son Robert, the body was exposed a second time. Officials felt the rumors should be laid to rest along with the Civil War president. Finally -- the corpse was permanently embedded in a crypt at Springfield."

"soberminded" relates to a controlled mind and manner. The mind of someone controlled by alcohol would be the contrast. The idea of temperate or moderate in things would be involved also I would think.

"faithful in all things" would cover all areas of life, her marriage, her church work, her mothering role - everything.

She should be faithfully doing the things that she is involved with, and doing a good job at all. If she can't do the good job in all areas along with home life then she probably shouldn't be involved in the church for her home will suffer.

Verse 12. "Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well."

These are the same as for bishop which we have covered previously.

Verse 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."

Deacons, purchase good standing, might be the thought. In the secular realm there is a certain amount of this.

There is a mortuary in London that advertises dead men's backgrounds - church work is mentioned, indeed in our own country the background is sometimes given in the obituary and this lends a bit of prestige to the memory if the person was a pastor or church leader. It gives you a certain type of status. Indeed, in many of our communities the pastors of churches are held as important to the community.

We had a pastor that helped direct our lives many years ago yet later he seemed to get side tracked. He became very interested in golf. He joined the country club and seemed to become very involved in that society. He became quite involved in the country club life.

When he died the obituary read like that of one of great social status. All of his secular accomplishments were listed including his long-standing membership in the country club.

At the end there was a simple sentence "He was also pastor of the _____ church.”

I think he had purchased the wrong "good standing."

The secular is the lesser of the ideas in that the spiritual is the more important. As we serve God as church leaders, we gain approval in the Lord's eyes and in a sense gain status with Him.

More importantly is the "great boldness" that comes with serving. As we serve, we gain confidence in what we are doing, in the fact that the Lord can use us and we become more confident to do more and more things for the Lord.

In closing we might take a moment and just list some of the possible ministries of a deacon and of the deaconess.

DEACON

Caring for and cleaning of the church/parsonage properties, either themselves or hiring it done.
Assist the elders in any manner that they can.
Submit material needs to the elders/congregation for approval and financing.
Calling on the neighborhood, sick, shut-ins, widows and orphans.
Taking an active part in discipling orphans, both in spiritual and physical things.

Giving assistance to widows and orphans - both financial as well as physical, when needed.

DEACONESS

Calling on and assisting female church members/others that could be assisted.
Providing flowers for funerals, church services, sick folks and shut-ins.
Taking small orphans for outings.
Providing meals/facilities/assistance for funeral parties.
Cleaning of the church facilities.

"Servant" in our English New Testament usually represents the Greek doulos (bondslave). Sometimes it means diakonos (deacon or minister); this is strictly accurate, for doulos and diakonos are synonyms. Both words denote a man who is not at his own disposal, but is his master's purchased property. Bought to serve his master's needs, to be at his beck and call every moment, the slave's sole business is to do as he is told. Christian service therefore means, first and foremost, living out a slave relationship to one's Savior (1 Corinthians. 6:19-20).

"What work does Christ set his servants to do? The way that they serve him, he tells them, is by becoming the slaves of their fellow-servants and being willing to do literally anything, however costly, irksome, or undignified, in order to help them. This is what love means, as he himself showed at the Last supper when he played the slave's part and washed the disciples' feet.

"When the New Testament speaks of ministering to the saints, it means not primarily preaching to them but devoting time, trouble, and substance to giving them all the practical help possible. The essence of Christian service is loyalty to the king expressing itself in care for his servants (Matthew 25: 31-46).

"Only the Holy Spirit can create in us the kind of love toward our Savior that will overflow in imaginative sympathy and practical helpfulness towards his people. Unless the spirit is training us in love, we are not fit persons to go to college or a training class to learn the know-how or particular branches of Christian work. Gifted leaders who are self-centered and loveless are a blight to the church rather than a blessing." Your Father Loves You; James Packer; Harold Shaw Publishers; 1986; Page March 3.

May God raise up men of this caliber in this country to begin leading the church in the proper path!