1 Timothy 3:8–13 - The Overlooked Strength of the Church

During WWII, England needed to increase its production of coal, so Winston Churchill spoke to the labor leaders and requested their help.

He asked them to imagine a great victory parade at the end of the war. And in the parade, first would come the soldiers who fought on land, then the sailors who fought on the sea, then the pilots who fought in the air. And then would come this group of sweaty coal miners covered in black soot.

Churchill said someone would shout to the miners, “Where were you during the critical days of our struggle?” And they all would reply, “We were deep in the earth with our faces to the coal.”

Some jobs may be less prominent or dazzling, but they are just as important. You may not think of sympathy or service as necessary for the church to withstand false teaching, but they are. And so the office of deacon is set forth in Scripture.

Paul wrote 1 Timothy to help the church in Ephesus – where believers faced false teaching that was causing great harm. In this letter to young Timothy, he urges him to defend the truth as a overseer. But these next verses show us that ordained overseers and servants are necessary.

For sure, every member of His Church is a servant of Christ. But deacons are men set apart to lead the way in service. They spearhead “deed ministry” as the elders do with “word ministry.”

“Deacon” comes from the Greek “diakonos” which means “one who renders service.” The deacons are the called, trained, and ordained servants of Christ. The section of 1 Timothy outlines the qualifications for their office, and a close look at the qualifications reveals why the office is essential.

You’ll notice that this office shares many qualifications with elder, though there are some notable differences. Deacons embody the Lord’s integrity, model His faithfulness, and gain His commendation. They are a given to the Church by the Lord Himself, and they are vital for church health.

Now, the office of deacon first appears in the NT in Acts 6. The apostles – who were the first elders of the church – appointed seven men chosen by the church to distribute food to needy widows. The selection of these men and the creation of their office clearly demonstrates that God cares about the whole person. And what’s more, He cares for the whole person. He provides what we need to live. We look to Him to provide, and recognize that all we have is from Him.

They were “seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom.” Their labor allowed the apostles to devote themselves to word ministry and prayer. Of course, as more churches were planted, more deacons were needed. And so a clear list of qualifications were necessary.

Look again at verse 8. “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.” This list comes right after the qualifications for overseers or “elders.” Deacons too must be honorable men. They shouldn’t be ones who surrender their self-control or love money, because they would be handling the church’s resources, finances, and possessions. So they must be trustworthy.

Why “not double-tongued,” meaning “devious in speech?” Those who steal don’t normally say, “Hey, just want to let you know I’m stealing.” No – they say one thing but do another. They conceal their crimes.

And see verse [9], “They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.” Paul uses the word “mystery” again just seven verses later, in the same way he also used the word in the book of Ephesians. The “mystery” is God’s work of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ – how God brought Jews and Gentiles together after all years of OT history. The mystery is Christ and His gospel.

Deacons must believe on and love Christ and His gospel. Deacons must be doctrinally sound. This is why, when we train potential officers here, we teach the same theological content to all of them, and we test them on that same content. Even though deacons aren’t called to teach, they still must hold to all the precious truths of God.

In addition, notice verse [10], “And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.” When appointing deacons, the church and the session of elders must consider how these the deacon candidates have handled the challenges in their lives. Have they shown that they could hold the office and perform their duties with integrity?

That’s the gist of this first part: these must be men who have grown in Christlikeness.
Because that is the goal for every member in the covenant community: that we would imitate Christ, growing in faith and character, growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ, loving and serving others, and living according to the truth of God. God is shaping a people of integrity.

Raymond Floyd was a professional golfer who won four major tournaments – including the 1976 Masters. He’s a Hall of Famer who inspired awe among spectators with his talent. But in 1986, he inspired awe for a different reason.

During a tournament that year, while in the lead during the third round, as he was about to tap in a 9 inch putt, he saw the ball move slightly. Floyd didn’t know if anyone else noticed, but according to the rules, he imposed a one-stroke self penalty on himself. When asked about it later, Floyd said, “If you lead your life by the standards of the rules of golf, you'll be in pretty good shape.”

Golf is referred to as a “gentlemen’s game.” Why? In part because it emphasizes integrity.

Integrity is being the same person in private that you are in public. It means doing what is right even when no one sees. It means that you keep your word. Have you ever said you would do something, but later, you didn’t want to do it? Psalm 15 says that a man of integrity “swears to his own hurt and does not change.” Doing what’s right, even when it’s not what’s easy.

The church needs men of integrity. The Lord gives His church ordained servants who embody His integrity – because only Christ embodies perfect integrity, and He’s at work in and among us, forming a people of integrity.

God decrees difficult situations, and as we endure them, Christ is working in us. He’s shaping all of us into honorable, trustworthy believers who serve others with dignity
and hold tightly to the precious truth of God. The Lord is forming hearts that love His gospel and serve His church. Deacons lead the way in that service.

Now look at verse [11]. “Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.” There’s not a parallel statement in 1 Timothy about elder’s wives, though verse 11 should describe them as well. But a deacon’s wife may serve alongside him as he fulfills his office in ways that an elder’s wife cannot serve alongside an elder –  especially in matters of teaching and ruling. A deacon’s wife, while not ordained like him, can help in any matter of serving and especially in the care of women.

The word Paul uses here could also be translated simply “women.” Why then do we opt for “wives?” Well, Paul uses this same word in Ephesians 5 where he writes, “Wives, submit to your husbands.” But perhaps more importantly, notice verse 12. “Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.” The deacon’s wife is in view here.

Now, elders have the same qualifications. They must be faithful in marriage and godly managers of their home. A deacon – as the head of his home – should manage and lead in his own house. Otherwise, how can he be entrusted to manage in God’s house.

On a different note, this is more evidence for why the office is reserved for men. Like the headship in the home, deacon and overseer are roles of authority in the church. But almost inevitably, someone will ask, “What about Romans 16:1?” What about Phoebe?”

In Romans 16:1, Paul writes, “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae.” Some translate this “deaconness.” As I said earlier, the word “deacon” simply means “servant.” Now, it’s true that the word Paul uses to describe Phoebe is the female version of servant or deacon. So, the question often asked is, “Was she ordained to office like Stephen or Philip in Acts 6? Was she appointed to the office in view in 1 Timothy 3:8-13?” However, the context of those passages steers us toward only men for the office.

But – we should view Phoebe as an exceptional and precious female servant of Christ. All the members serve – but some are exceptionally gifted in service. They can always be relied upon. They always go above and beyond. It’s as if they have a motor within that never quits! They love to serve. You might say that live to serve. Such a person doesn’t need a title. They don’t need to installed to an office to do what they do. Phoebe was such a woman.

Also, to understand Romans 16:1, I think 1 Corinthians 3:5 bears mentioning. Paul writes, “What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed.” Technically, “servants” in that verse could be rendered “deacons,” but that wouldn’t make sense, because it goes against the context of Paul’s statement. Paul and Apollos has different roles, though both were teachers of the Word. But neither one is ever called a “deacon.” However, they were servants of Christ.

We’re all servants, but some are servants appointed to the office of deacon. As they lead their homes and marriages, so they lead in the church: faithfully. Because He means to shape His church in faithfulness, the Lord gives His church ordained servants who model His faithfulness.

If you say you’re Christian, that means you are for Christ. So if you’re for Christ, what are you for faithfulness? Is it a priority for you? Do you say or do things that would deem you unfaithful? Do you entertain desires that don’t characterize a faithful person?

Now, of course, we’re all guilty of this – but do you allow unfaithfulness to abide? As you behold the glory of the faithful Jesus Christ who loved you and gave Himself for you, you will become increasingly uncomfortable with unfaithfulness. Commit your heart again today to the Faithful One. He will produce faithfulness in You. He is gracious, understanding, and compassionate. Begin again with Him today.

Now look finally at verse [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 is a very interesting statement to conclude this section of his letter. Admittedly, I had to spend some time on this one. What is Paul getting at here?

Well, this confirms that serving is often less prominent and dazzling. Therefore it may not be appreciated as much in the eyes of people. Paul says when deacons fulfill their roles well, people will notice be appreciative. But more importantly, God will see and He will be pleased.

If you’ve ever been to a play or a big musical production, you notice that, at the end, the actors come back on stage and receive applause. Actors are essential, but so is the stage crew. If the lighting had failed, or the sound didn’t work, or if the stagehands had not built a set or set up properly between scenes, the audience probably wouldn’t be applauding.

But you never see the stage crew. They’re not in the spotlight. But when they perform their roles well, the whole production succeeds. Those who are aware of the people behind the scenes deeply appreciate them. Paul is saying that faithful service may be less visible, but it is essential and it will not go unnoticed. Deacons will receive the praise of others, but more importantly, of God.

Whose commendation do you seek in your life? Is it just the praise of people that you live for? Because if so, then when you get that, you have your reward. This is a good word for all of God’s people – that when you serve Christ faithfully, you will grow in your faith and character. You will become more like Christ.

You see, there’s a labor God does in us as we labor for Him. The office of deacons testifies to the result of serving well: the Lord means to build a people who will gain His commendation through service, and so He gives His church ordained servants who gain His commendation.

You must serve according to His gifts and calling. And like the deacons who lead us in service, you too will gain the Lord’s praise. Serving is the overlooked strength of the church. This which makes sense, because we naturally overlook and undervalue those who serve us. But Christ values servants, because He was a servant Himself.

Mark 10 says that Christ, “came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Through serving, Christ saved His church. And He serves us still, strengthening and preserving His church. If you desire to know Christ more, serve with and among His people.

Word ministry and deed ministry are both vital. Like the two sides of a coin, each needs the other. Therefore elders and deacons stand together – serving Christ and His people, and they serve alongside His people, as He causes His church to stand against false teaching.

Now, as we go to His table, let’s continue to reflect on how far Christ went to serve and save us, and if you have never trusted in Christ, may you do so today.

Let’s bow together in prayer.