Deacons. What in the world are they there for? 1 Timothy 3:8-9

(8-9) Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

God here gives instructions for the other Church office which is described in Scripture – the office of ‘deacon.’

This begs the question – what’s a deacon? Well, to start with the obvious – not an elder. And again to state the obvious – not every person is a deacon.

That said, the word translated deacon merely means ‘servant.’ It’s interesting that this particular word only occurs twice in Scripture, and the other time, it actually means ‘servant.’

Given that, it’s very interesting that deacons were not ordained by the Lord himself, nor are they prescribed for Titus’ church-planting ministry.

However, we learn from church history and from Acts 6:2 that deacons were put into place to take charge of responsibilities that needed to be taken care of in a continuous capacity that were in addition to the proclamation of the Scriptures – namely and importantly, the physical care of people in the Church.

Now, this doesn’t excuse elders from physical care of people. Obviously, the apostles healed people as Jesus’ willed it. And elders should come pray for the sick (James 5). However, as overseers are entrusted with the spiritual care of the Church of God, so deacons are entrusted with necessities which are outside of that realm.

As such, they serve a very important function. Didn’t our Lord on this earth feed the hungry? Open the eyes of the blind? Heal the lame? Did he not come not to be served, but to serve – ultimately giving up his life in exchange for many lives (Mark 10:45)?

And so deacons, in an official capacity, represent their Lord in a unique way. Because of this unique, public title and appointment, they must fit certain requirements – such that Jesus is honored and the witness of Christians about Jesus to the world is unhindered.

As a result, many of the requirements of elders are the same for deacons – because they deal with Christian character and conduct – because Christian character and conduct are direct reflections of Jesus’ own life.

In the two verses in question, we see a common thread again – deacons are not to be living for pleasure in this life – but for the next world. This is just as Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him and is now seated at God’s right hand.

There are two additional features: that deacons must not be double tongued, and that deacons must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

To have a double-tongue means that one speaks differently to different people. What you get is not necessarily what other people get from such a person. Such a person ‘plays to his crowd’ – he is not forthright – he is a people-pleaser. This is why v. 10 is important (“let them also be tested…”).

Why are people double-tongued? In a negative sense, because they fear people and fear how people may treat them if they’re completely honest. In a positive sense, because they desire honor from people.

Both of these are bad. But consider the Lord himself. Was he consistent? Was he a fearer of man? Did his message ever change? No – he proclaimed the Gospel – the wrath of God and the mercy of God for sinners – even though it cost him his life. If anyone had reason to fear man, he did – he was about to be tortured by his creatures’ hands. But he set his face out of a love for the Father and endured the cross.

And if anyone had reason to seek honor, he did. He’s God! But he set aside his right to glory for greater future glory through the redemption of the Church.

A second requirement is different here: “They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.”

The mystery of the faith, here, is the Gospel itself. It’s called a mystery because it is the fulfillment of all that the Old Testament foreshadowed and promised – and now it is revealed in ‘the faith’ – which is not to say ‘our personal faith’ – but rather, the teachings that were accepted as authoritative. In other words – deacons must be sound in doctrine.

And they must hold it with a clear conscience – or a clean, cleansed conscience. That is to say, these people, deacons, must have an ability to distinguish between right and wrong – between pure and impure – and this is the fountain from which their holding to right doctrine flows. God has cleansed them, changed them, made them new – and so they hold to the apostolic teaching of Jesus.

Summary:
-Deacons are to carry out specific church roles that the pastors cannot because of their duties.
-Deacons are held to high standards, since they carry an official title from God’s Church.
-Deacons represent Christ in a unique, merciful, physical, serving way.
-Deacons therefore must fit many of the requirements that elders must.
-Deacons must not be people-pleasers.
-Deacons must have good doctrine.
-Deacons must show fruit of regeneration.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for sending Jesus to save us – not only from our guilt but from every stain of sin in the world – all suffering as well. Help me put my hope for complete salvation in the return of Jesus. And I thank you that you’ve promised his return. Help us to be like Jesus here – not acting for peoples’ pleasures – but for yours. Teach us your word and bear fruit in us. Give us wisdom in appointing people to service. Honor your name and the name of Jesus through your Church! Because Jesus died for us, we pray – amen.