1 Timothy 3:8-13
QUALIFICATIONS FOR SERVANT-LEADERSHIP
[Mark 10:42-45 / Acts 6:1-6]
During local, state, and national election campaigns, voters are barraged by the claims of candidates who attempt to convince the electorate that they are the most qualified to be president, senator, legislator, governor, mayor, councilman, or some other public official. Campaign rhetoric can be brutal. Unfortunately, the winner isn’t always the most qualified person. The advantage often goes to the one with the best "media image."
The scene should be very different in a fellowship of believers who are selecting church leaders. Politicking, boasting, power games, and popularity contests have no place in the church. Most of the qualifications for overseer and deacon involve character, not knowledge or skill. Personal character and spirituality should be the key issues for the selection of leaders. When God calls men to serve His church, He looks for those whose hearts are right with Him. The important thing is not personality or demeanor, but spirituality. God’s concern is not talent, wealth, power, or experience but moral and spiritual virtue.
The requirements are more extensive for elders (3:1-7) than for deacons but the similarities between them are great. Though these qualifications are specific for determining who should serve as a deacon they are also excellent guidelines for all Christians.
I. A DEACON’S LIFE, 8-10.
II. A DEACON’S FAMILY, 11-12.
III. A DEACON’S REWARDS (13).
The list of responsibilities for one who would serve the church of the Living God begins in verse 8. "Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, ..."
The New Testament gives two offices to the church and they are both listed here in First Timothy chapter 3. Like overseers, deacons must also be men of quality, even though their function in the congregation is significantly different. The word deacon is transliterated from the Greek word diakonos, which means a "humble servant." The first deacons were appointed to be assistants to the Apostles (Acts 6:2,4). In the local church today deacons still relieve their pastors of other tasks so that they may concentrate on the ministry of the Word, prayer, and spiritual oversight as God directed (Acts 6:2-5).
Even though deacons are not given the authority of elders or pastors, they are servant leaders in the church and thus must meet certain though less stringent qualifications. The first God-given stipulation is that they must be men of dignity. A deacon should be worthy of respect. His Christian character must be worth imitating. A deacon should take his responsibilities seriously and serve, not just fill, the office.
He is not to be double tongued. A deacon speaks with integrity, consistency, and grace. He does not tell tales from one person to another. He is not a gossip. You can depend on what he says because he is honest not hypocritical. A deacon does not spread speculation nor does he misuse truth. He is called to put an end to discord by protecting the mission and leadership of the church. He is to be reliable, not two-faced, but one who keeps his promises.
Like a pastor they are not to be addicted to much wine. Jewish people drank a weak wine because of water contamination problems. Deacons though were to be cautious of even the non-potent drink of their day. How much more so with the potent refined alcohol of today. FBC has an abstinence policy.
They are not to be fond of sordid gain. The priorities of a deacon are not to be centered on the accumulation of worldly wealth. He must illustrate the priority of laying up treasures in heaven (Mt. 6:19-24). In his financial dealings, whether personal or business, he cannot be one who uses unethical or questionable tactics to make money.
Verse 9 points out a deacon’s firm faith. "...but holding to the mystery of faith with a clear conscience." The great doctrines of Christianity are mysteries or hidden to those outside the faith, but are understood by those who trust Jesus. Deacons must understand Christian doctrine and obey it with a good conscience. They must base their decisions and life on the Word of God. A deacon who does not know and live the Word of God cannot properly manage the affairs of the church.
The men are to be tested by life and the church, as verse 10 indicates. "These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach."
These men must first prove their quality over time in the ordinary activities of life and ministry. Before men are accepted as deacons they need to prove themselves before the community and the church. These men are to be evaluated on their life of as a servant and on their knowledge of the Word. If proven irreproachable or free from accusation they are ready to serve. Christ-like conduct or a blameless reputation is required from all deacons.
II. A DEACON’S FAMILY (11-12)
"Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things."
From verse 11 alone it is unsure if Paul is meaning a deacon’s wife or women who are deacons. Verse 12 says, "the husband of one wife" (or literally must be "a one woman man") making it clear that Paul is addressing deacon’s wives here. For your information (FYI) there is not even this small item of doubt concerning a woman being a pastor. A pastor is to be a man.
A deacon’s wife is part of his ministry for godliness begins in the home. Their wives are to be believers, dignified (same word as v. 8) women who are serious about the ministry, not given to slanderous (devil) talk. They are to be faithful in all they do to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.
Women are a great blessing to the local church when they love and build-up the ministry and a great curse when they slander it. Level headed women down through the centuries have proven their worth to Christ and the local church.
(12) "Deacons must be husbands of one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households."
"Although we might cringe at the thought, most of us would probably admit that one’s marriage sheds a good deal of light on one’s character. Paul apparently held similar feelings. But the meaning of the condition that the overseer and deacon be the husband of but one wife (literally the Greek says a "one-woman man") continues to provoke discussion, and some of the interpretations bear a closer look.
1. The qualification prohibits polygamists from holding this office. However, this is not likely to have been Paul’s intention. Monogamy was by far the norm of that day. Polygamy was generally regarded as abhorrent and did not need to be mentioned in such a list.
2. The qualification excludes those who have remarried after the death of a spouse. This is an equally unlikely suggestion. Remaining single, particularly in the case of widows, was often commended, but Paul seems to have allowed and even to have encouraged the remarriage of the surviving partner (Rom. 7:2-3; 1 Cor. 7: 39-40; 1 Tim. 5:14).
3. The qualification specifically rules out those who have remarried after divorce. But even granting a fairly strong stand in the New Testament on the issue of divorce, exceptions to the rule prohibiting remarriage were made in the case of adultery (Mt. 5:32; 19:9) and perhaps in the case of desertion by the unbelieving mate (1 Cor. 7:15). Furthermore, there is nothing to exclude from consideration those who fall into this "exceptional" category (apart from this uncertain phrase, for which in any case there is no first-century evidence of its use in connection with divorce).
4. The qualification is a requirement of faithfulness in marriage. Given the context, this interpretation seems more plausible. Actually, the tone of the phrase is positive rather than prohibitive, which suggests a nuance of meaning different from the first three positions. The flow of thought in the list moves from personal to church life, from domestic to official functions. Implicit in this movement is an important axiom: what one does or is in one’s private life has consequences for the church. It follows that within Paul’s holistic outlook, which brings together personal and domestic qualities, it is far more likely that he would stress fidelity in marriage. So the point of the phrase is probably not how often one can be married, nor precisely what constitutes a legitimate marriage (that the marriage of the candidate is legitimate is assumed), but rather how one conducts oneself in one’s marriage." (1-2 Timothy & Titus, Phillip H. Towner, 84, 85).
The autonomy of the local church must determine how to interpret this verse. Though our deacons and I want each believer to determine before God their own interpretation, we have chosen to be in agreement with the greatest Southern Baptist Greek scholar in our denomination’s long history, A. T. Robertson, who states in His Word Pictures in the New Testament "one at a time, clearly." (Vol. IV, 572).
A deacon is to be a "one women man." He has only one wife at a time – in all likelihood, a reference to not being polygamous. The focus is on the man’s character. They must not be unfaithful to their wives in their conduct toward other women, or in their minds. The issue here is moral character and not marital status. Deacons are to be sexually pure.
The next concern is how the deacon manages his children and home. Deacons must also be good managers of their children and their own households. Christian workers and volunteers sometimes make the mistake of thinking their work is so important that they are justified in ignoring their families. Spiritual leadership, however, must begin at home. If a man is not willing to care for, discipline, and teach his children, he is not qualified to lead the church. Don’t allow your volunteer activities to detract from your family responsibilities.
Phrases like "good managers of their children," "have a good reputation," and "manages his own house well" are present tense requirements that matter equally as much as the present tense phrase "...husband of one wife...." While the past mistake of a broken marriage covenant, or a wild lifestyle, or problematic children is tragic, it doesn’t exclude one from serving officially, though it may be the visible symptom of an underlying problem which is addressed by the other requirements.
III. A DEACON’S REWARDS (13).
Verse 13 concludes the list of requirements for office with an encouragement to serve well. "For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus."
Those deacons who serve well in their responsibilities in the church are gaining (present tense) for themselves (heautois) an excellent standing. In other words there is reward for deacons who serve and not simply fill the office. God will step him up or promote him (bathmos) spiritually. He will have greater opportunities to serve. He will gain a spiritual boldness to step up to greater more effective ministry.
Their Christ-like spirit of selfless service also builds confidence in the reality of their own faith in Christ and acceptance before God. They grow closer to Christ in faith and confidence; not to mention the eternal rewards bestowed in Heaven for so serving Christ in His church and world.
CONCLUSION
The list of qualifications for church office shows that living a blameless life of service requires spiritual effort and self discipline. "All believers, even if they never plan to be church leaders should strive to follow these guidelines because they are consistent with what God says is true and right. The strength to live according to God’s will comes from living in Christ." (Life Application Bible, p 2191).
U.S. Marine Corp recruiters tell us that they are "looking for a few good men." Not everyone qualifies for this highly disciplined and well-respected company of soldiers who have often led the way into battle. Recruits must survive a series of grueling physical and mental tests before they become full-fledged Marines.
Christ is looking for a few good men to serve His church and to model the godly attitudes and actions that should mark all mature Christians. He is selective about who should guide His troops into spiritual battle. The qualifications are extensive because they are essential to the spiritual health of the congregation.
The call to be a deacon is a wonderful call of God. The office and ministry, like that of the pastor, should be one of honor, dignity, and meaning. Along with the pastor, the deacons care for the flock of God. In response to their servant leadership, the congregation is called to love, follow, encourage, and pray for those whom God has called to serve in this capacity.
