1 Timothy 3:8-13--Qualifications for Deacons

1 Timothy 3:8-13
English Standard Version

Qualifications for Deacons
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.

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I neglected to say something important yesterday, but it applies to today's passage too.  Paul is building an argument here that men will be held responsible by God for spiritual leadership in their homes and their local congregations.  This is the order of Creation.  It is not true to say that women are not gifted with gifts of leadership, but women are not to usurp the roles of head-of-household, pastor, elder, and I also believe deacon.  I know there are denominations and congregations that have deaconesses, and I know that some translations of verse 11 will translate "Their wives" as "deaconesses" and I know that there were women called "deacon" or "deaconess" (specifically Romans 16:1).  All that being said, these instructions come very late in the writing of the New Testament and seem to give clear teaching on the matter (where there may have been a lack of clarity up to this point).

The word "likewise" in verse 8 means Paul is going to say a lot of the same things about requirements for Deacons as he does for Elders, but the list is shorter here because the duties of a deacon do not directly involve shepherding, preaching, or teaching.  They do need to understand the gospel and live according to it with a clear conscience, and they need to conduct themselves in such a way where their conduct is blameless (not perfect).

If they are married, the wife of the deacon must also be signing up for this service--it is something they must decide to do together.  She must be careful with her words to not engage in slander or gossip and to be sober-minded and self-controlled (not given over to her emotions or alcohol or any of the other things we've already mentioned for men).  It would not make sense to list all the qualifications already given for men again (but a slightly different list) if we're saying women were to serve in the same office but be held to a lower standard.  It does make sense though in practicality to say that the wife of a deacon is going to ministering to the church too and people will be looking at her as a reflection of him and his service in the church.

Similar to Elder, Deacons are to be "the husband of one wife" (if they are married it is to be a monogamous covenant to pictures the relationship between Christ and His Bride, the Church, and shows the gospel to everyone who witnesses their marriage).  There is no requirement that a Deacon or Elder be married, but the congregation is to look at the marriage of someone who is married and wants to be a Deacon or Elder to evaluate if  the man can effectively manage his own affairs and the affairs of his family and still handle the management of the affairs of the house of God.

Deacons should be men of good reputation in their congregations and in the community and they should be bold in their faith, and willing to give an answer for the reason for the hope that they have.  The are to be servant-leaders not desiring to horde power, but they should model Jesus who took on the form of a servant, the lowest of servants in the household, and washed His disciples feet and told them that they must now go and do likewise for each other and for the Church that they were going to serve and lead.