Who are Deacons? What is their character? 1 Timothy 3:8-13 reads:
(8) Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. (9) They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. (10) And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. (11) Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. (12) Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. (13) For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”
This passage teaches us what Deacons are supposed to be. Deacons are not perfect people, but they are faithful people. Deacons are chosen to serve. This list explains the type of character they are supposed to possess. This passage can be divided into nine characteristics.
First, Deacons are to be DIGNIFIED (3:8). Deacons are to be honorable people. They should display seriousness and maturity regarding their faith. They should be respectable people.
Second, Deacons are NOT to be DOUBLE-TONGUED (3:8). This term means they are not to have two sayings; therefore, they are not to say one thing to one person but another to a different person. Double-tongued people are manipulative and deceptive.
Third, Deacons are NOT to be ADDICTED TO MUCH WINE (3:8). When people are addicted to drugs or alcohol they are going to them in order to numb pain. However, instead of maturing through the pain, their numbing actually has an immaturing effect. Further, addiction is an issue of self-control. Even further, when people are drunk or high they don’t make sound decisions.
Fourth, Deacons are NOT to be GREEDY FOR DISHONEST GAIN (3:8). Jesus taught that a love of money conflicts with a love for him and his kingdom. When we struggle with greed we become less effective for Jesus’ kingdom. When we are greedy it can also lead us to manipulating situations for our material ends.
Fifth, Deacons are to have a CLEAR CONSCIENCE (3:9). This is someone who has a pure or clear ability to see right from wrong and then live a generally righteous life. None of us are perfect, but someone with a clear conscience addresses their sin struggles and seeks to walk faithfully with the Lord and with others. But, verse 9 speaks of the “mystery of the faith,” therefore Deacons are people who unashamedly hold to gospel truths, but also seek to apply the gospel to their lives.
Sixth, Deacons are TESTED (3:10). They are not new believers, but have weathered some difficult times and drew closer to the Lord in those trials. They cherish Jesus and his gospel more deeply because of what God has carried them through.
Seventh, Deacons are to be BLAMELESS (3:10). Of course, only Jesus is perfectly blameless. However, this concept is similar to the phrase “above reproach” used to describe the character of Elders in Titus 1:6-7. Someone who is blameless is someone that you can scrutinize a bit and see that even though they aren’t perfect, they are faithful. Blameless people are those whose lives match up with their stated beliefs.
I need to take some more time on the next characteristic. Eight, a Deacon is to be the HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE (3:12). It might sound cliché or maybe even vague, but we view this phrase as akin to the statement “a one woman kind of man.” Certainly, this phrase was addressing polygamy which was more common in the ancient world. However, it is also a reference to the attitude of the heart. Deacons are to demonstrate faithfulness to their spouses.
This, of course, also raises the question of divorce. Can someone who has been divorced be a Deacon at Redeemer Church? We plan to address this question on a case-by-case scenario. We understand we live in a divorce-happy culture, but we also understand there are valid reasons to get a divorce. The Elders will examine the context of the divorce of a Deacon candidate and determine on a case-by-case scenario if it disqualifies the candidate from serving.
There is a textual debate regarding the meaning of “Their wives” in verse 3:11. It could either mean (1) the wives of deacons, (2) women deacons, or (3) women who assist Deacons but are not themselves Deacons. There is not consensus among conservative evangelical scholars regarding if ladies can serve as Deaconesses. Our Elders do believe the Bible is clear that only males should serve as Pastors or Elders. However, we are less sure regarding if the Bible allows for ladies to serve as Deaconesses.
Further complicating the question is that many Southern Baptist Churches have Deacons but not Elders. For many of these churches we feel their Deacons are actually functioning as Elders. In those scenarios we feel that Deacons in those churches should only be men.
However, there are two arguments that we think tip the scales to the interpretation that the Bible teaches that ladies can indeed be Deacons. First, the wives on the Elder list are not addressed the same way as the wives on the Deacon list. 1 Timothy 3:2 says that an Elder is to be “the husband of one wife.” But, the wife of an Elder is not directly addressed like the wife of a Deacon is addressed. As a result, you could argue that there is a higher standard for a Deacon’s wife than an Elder’s wife, which of course cannot be the case. Second, Romans 16:1 speaks of a lady named Phoebe who is referenced as “servant of the church.” This phrase is the same Greek term for Deacon. Many argue that Romans 16:1 shows that there were indeed female Deaconesses in the early church. I know we are digging deep now, but I want to do the work of explaining the grounds for our position that we believe we can have not only male Deacons but also female Deaconesses at Redeemer Church.
That might be a new interpretation for you so feel free to reach out if you have questions. Our Elders also want to encourage you not to assume something about us because we are comfortable with Deaconesses. We are not sliding towards liberalism. But, after doing careful exegesis of the text, we find the arguments convincing. This position is also becoming more common in evangelical SBC churches like Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.
Ninth, Deacons need to MANAGE WELL THEIR HOME (3:12). This is a difficult one because every home is different and as high a bar as these passages are for the Deacon candidate, their children don’t need to feel they are in a fish bowl or they have to be perfect. Further, someone can be a perfect father or mother and their children still struggle or end up rejecting the faith. However, 1 Timothy 3:12 does mean they need to have evidence of managing their children and home in a way that seeks to honor the Lord and be faithful to the gospel. This means that when we approach an Elder candidate their spouse is going to be part of the discussion.
Who are Deacons? They are faithful brothers and sisters. Deacons are chosen to serve.