8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 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. (1 Timothy 3:8-13 KJV)
Qualifications of Deacons
Here we have the character of deacons. These were responsible for the temporal affairs of the church, such as caring for the ministers and providing for the poor. They “served tables,” while the ministers or bishops devoted themselves to the ministry of the Word and prayer (Acts 6:2). The institution of this office and the circumstances that led to it are recorded in Acts 6:1–7.
Deacons needed to have a good character because they assisted the ministers, acted publicly, and were entrusted with significant responsibilities. They must be grave, as gravity becomes all Christians, but especially those in church office. They must not be double-tongued — saying one thing to one person and another thing to another — for a double tongue comes from a double heart. Flatterers and slanderers are double-tongued. They must not be given to much wine, for drunkenness disgraces anyone, especially a Christian in office, and opens the door to many temptations.
They must not be greedy for dishonest gain, since they were entrusted with the church’s funds. Covetousness could tempt them to misuse what was meant for the public good. They must hold “the mystery of faith in a pure conscience” (1 Timothy 3:9), for the truth is best preserved by a pure conscience. A clear conscience protects the soul from error and keeps faith alive.
“Let these also first be proved” (1 Timothy 3:10). No one should be entrusted with public responsibility until they have been tested and found suitable — their sound judgment, zeal for Christ, and upright conduct should be proven.
Their wives also must have a good reputation (1 Timothy 3:11). They should be grave, not slanderers or gossipers, but sober and faithful in all things. All who are related to ministers should take special care to live in a way that honors the gospel, lest disorderly conduct bring reproach upon the ministry.
As with the bishops, deacons must be the husband of one wife — not divorcing one and marrying another — and must manage their children and households well. The families of deacons should be examples to others. Deacons must be well-qualified because, though their office is lower in rank, it can serve as a step toward a higher one. Those who have served well as deacons may later be called to greater responsibilities in preaching and prayer. Faithful service also brings honor and confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 3:13).
In the early church there were only two offices — bishops and deacons (Philippians 1:1). Later generations added others. The office of bishop or minister was devoted to prayer and preaching, while the office of deacon concerned itself primarily with serving tables. Clemens Romanus, in his letter to the Christians, wrote that the apostles, foreknowing by our Lord Jesus Christ that disputes would arise concerning episcopacy, appointed these two orders — bishops and deacons.
The deacon’s main duty was to serve tables, not to preach or baptize. It is true that Philip preached and baptized in Samaria (Acts 8), but he was an evangelist (Acts 21:8), and under that role, he could perform ministerial duties. The main purpose of the deacon’s office, however, was to handle the temporal affairs of the church — supporting the ministers and caring for the poor.
Several qualifications were necessary even for these officers. Deacons must be grave and tested. Some examination should be made of their qualifications before they are appointed or entrusted with any responsibility: “Let these also first be proved.” Integrity and faithfulness in a lower office pave the way for advancement to a higher one: “They purchase to themselves a good degree.”
This also gives a man great confidence in the faith, while lack of integrity makes a man fearful and uneasy. “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1).