Page 173 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

DEACON

man with a beer or a glass of wine in his hand is the devil is said to be the accuser of the brethren. He
ignoring these warnings. Even Old Testament priests loves to say evil things about people with a malicious
and kings were required to abstain from intoxicating goal of hurting them. Slandering refers to gossiping,
drinks (see Lev. 10:8-11; Pr. 31:4-5), and we believe the backbiting, and other hurtful conversation, especially
same requirement is expected of New Testament church that which is untruthful and mean-spirited. Please note
leaders. “Not greedy of filthy lucre” requires that the that it is not gossiping for pastors’ and deacons’ wives to
deacon be a man who is not covetous, not greedy of discuss the spiritual welfare of people in a godly manner
personal gain, not worldly-minded regarding money so that help can be given to them and others can be
and possessions. protected from possible harm. Gossip and slander
(3) Sound in the N.T. Faith (1 Ti. 3:9). The “mystery involve deception, untruth, and an injurious attitude
of the faith” refers to the body of sound teaching found and purpose. To “speak the truth in love” is not gossip
in the New Testament Scriptures. (Ep. 4:15). To admonish or reprove people is not gossip
(4) Mature and Proven (1 Ti. 3:10). God requires (Ro. 15:14; Ep. 5:11). To discuss and report spiritual
that the pastor and the deacon demonstrate their zeal and moral problems is not gossip (1 Co. 1:11; 5:1). All
and faithfulness to Christ and the work of the church of these are legitimate aspects of a spiritual life and
PRIOR TO ordination. God’s way is for men to be ministry. Slander, though, is forbidden. The deacon’s
proven BEFORE they are placed into a special position wife must be a woman who is especially careful about
in the church, not BY being placed into a position! Some her conversation and attitude toward people. Otherwise
churches attempt to prove men by placing them into she can easily hurt her church and ruin her husband’s
responsible positions and hoping they will make it. That ministry with her tongue. THE WIFE MUST BE SOBER.
is backwards and unscriptural. The unproven man To be “sober” in this context means to be in control of
should work alongside a mature man and be discipled one’s mind and life with the goal of pleasing God and
and trained by that man; and if he demonstrates his fulfilling His will. It refers to one who is not controlled
faithfulness and qualification and calling, THEN he can by evil influences, as the drunken person is controlled
be placed into a position. Proving must precede by alcohol. This would also include many other things:
ordination. drugs (except for proper medical purposes); unspiritual
(5) Spiritual Wife (1 Ti. 3:11). The same music such as rock and roll, country/western, and most
modern pop music; unwholesome radio or television
qualifications are given for the wives of both pastors programs, such as the wicked and vain “soap operas”
and deacons. The man’s wife is a very important part of that dwell on and glorify lying, adultery, drunkenness,
his life and ministry, and her spiritual condition will etc; unwholesome “romance” novels; or any other
greatly affect the man and his work. Unspiritual wives influence which would draw one’s mind away from
of pastors or deacons can pollute the spiritual condition conscious fellowship with Christ and the things of our
of the entire congregation. Consider the four words Paul holy God. God’s Word requires that the deacon’s wife be
uses to describe the qualified pastor or deacon’s wife: in control of herself; be sober. THE WIFE MUST BE
THE WIFE MUST BE GRAVE. “It speaks of that FAITHFUL IN ALL THINGS. In a word, this is God’s
combination of gravity and dignity which invites the standard for the wife of a church officer. She must be a
reverence of others” (W.E. Vine). The wife of the deacon faithful Christian woman in all aspects of her life, in her
is to be the type of Christian lady who lives her life with home, in her ministry, in the church, toward the lost.
a godly seriousness of purpose. Her life is the kind that
causes others to respect her spiritually and morally. This (6) Wholesome Family Life (1 Ti. 3:12). Notice that
does not mean, of course, that she has no sense of God requires that the deacon be a man who rules his
humor. It is referring to a serious-minded, dignified, household “well.” He must be a godly, biblical father
grave manner of life, not a depressed personality. Spirit- and husband with a good family life. There is no
filled women have many types of personalities, but one requirement here of perfection. Who, then, would
thing they all have in common is a spiritual dignity that qualify! God simply gives us a reasonable standard for
causes others to look upon them with respect. The the church officer. He must be doing a good job in his
spiritual “gravity” of the qualified pastor or deacon’s home. There is where the “real man” can be found. This
wife causes other women to accept her teaching (Titus is where he lets down the guard and the pretense and is
2:2-4) and to seek her counsel. It is very important for what he really is. If a man cannot guide his own home
the spiritual health of the congregation that women like properly, he has no business trying to guide an entire
this are behind the pastors and deacons. THE WIFE church. Any serious problems in the home should be
MUST NOT BE A SLANDERER. The Greek word used for worked out before a man is considered for a church
“slander” in 1 Timothy 3:11 is used elsewhere of the office. Every man faces various kinds of problems in his
devil. The word means “accuser.” In Revelation 12:10 relationship with wife and children. Every man has

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 173