God's Qualifications For Leadership in The Church
I Timothy 3:8-13 (Part II) Introduction, 1:1-2
I.
The Charges to Timothy, 1:3-20
II. The Conduct of Public Worship, 2:1-15
III. The Character of Worship, 3:1-13
A. The role of the overseer, 1-7
B. The role of the deacons, 8-13
1. The word group related to
"Deacon"
a. DIAKONEO (verb – action…to serve, minister)
1) Outside the N.T. – to wait a table, to taste, to direct a marriage feast, to provide for
2) Judaism – to serve + obey, to render priestly service
3) In the N.T. – waiting on people at the table,
Luke 17;8; John 12:2; Luke 12:37; I Peter 4:10; II Corinthians 8:19
b. DIAKONIA (noun – sphere of activity) the activity of serving or ministering,
Luke 10:40; Acts 6:1; I Corinthians 16:15; Ephesians 4:12
c. DIAKONOS (noun – agent/person) the one doing the service,
John 2:5,9; Matthew 22:13; Ephesians 3:7
2. The basic meaning of the word
"Deacon"…to serve, to minister, to be a servant in providing or caring for. A DIAKONOS, was one "who executed the commands of another, a servant, attendant, minister". Set
forth side by side with the overseer we see distinction in function and unity in purpose. 3. The exposition of DIAKONOS:
a. "…worthy of respect…"
, v8a (Grk. August, reverend, honorable)
b. "…sincere…", v8b (Grk. DILOGOS – literally, two words) saying one thing to one person and another to another
person, double-tongued, John 8:32; James 1:26
c. "…not indulging in much wine…", v8c
d. "…not pursuing dishonest gain"
, v8d
e. "…keep hold of the deep truths of the faith, with a clear conscience", v9
1) The body of truth that comprises the Christian faith
2) Holding that truth without condemnation…a conscience purified by fire
f. "…first be tested…:, v10 (pres. act. imper.),
to be proved, examined, scrutinized, proved genuine
g. "In the same way1
…wives are to be women worthy of respect2, not malicious talkers3
but temperate4 and trustworthy
5 in everything"
, v11
1) After the same manner
…Deacons' wives
…Introduction of a new order of ministry
2) August, venerable, reverend
3) (Grk. Diabolos) slanderous, false accuser
4) Sober, abstaining from wine
5) Faithful, believing, worthy of trust (in all manners)
h. "…husband of one wife…", v12a
i.
"…manage his children…household well".v13
Observations:
q "Everything rises or falls with leadership"
q "Followers seldom rise beyond the level of their leaders"
q "Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result"
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