So What? (What are you going to do with what you read today?)
Like overseers, deacons must also be men of quality, even though their function in the congregation is significantly different. The word translated “deacon” (diakonos) means literally a “humble servant.” The role of the deacons is to carry out, under the elders’ oversight, some of the more menial tasks of the church so that the elders can give their attention to more important things.
In Acts 6 we find the origin of what later became the role of a deacon in the church.
Acts 6:1-6
In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
The qualifications for the office of deacon are almost as stringent as for elder because of their public profile in the church and because the servant nature of their work requires strong qualities of maturity. Deacons must therefore be men worthy of respect—that is, serious men of dignity, not clowns. They must be sincere in the sense of being honest and unhypocritical. Like the overseers, deacons must not be heavy wine drinkers or greedy chasers after dishonest gain. Most important of all, deacons must be men of spiritual depth. Specifically they should be men who understand and hold fast the deep truths of the faith. By the phrase with a clear conscience Paul meant that there must be nothing in the conduct of these men that was glaringly inconsistent with their professed beliefs. In other words they must not profess one thing but practice another.
Again, like the overseers, who are to demonstrate their maturity before being placed in a position of responsibility, deacons must also first be tested. Paul’s intent here was not to require some formal testing procedure, but rather that these men “prove” their quality over time in the ordinary activities of life and ministry. After they showed themselves “irreproachable,” then let them serve as deacons. Christlike conduct is required of deacons.
Similarly the gynaikas (“women” or wives) are to be worthy of respect, that is, dignified, not slanderers of others, but temperate, and trustworthy in everything. Who are these gynaikas Paul addressed? They were almost certainly not the women of the congregation generally. They were most likely either the wives of the deacons or a group of female deacons. Like the elders, deacons must be “one-women men” and capable managers of their own families.
Deacons are vital to the function of the church. Deacons care for the sick and those who need help in the church. In our church today Deacons visit members and attenders in the hospital, take meals to those who are homebound or in need of help. Deacons serve! The truth is you don't have be a deacon to serve your church family. You can take meals to those whom are close to you and are in need. It is right in the eyes of the Lord to have a servant's heart. Next time you see a need, go and meet that need. Serve!
Make it Happen!
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