1 Timothy 3:13 Commentary and Bible Study

‘For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree’ – rather mysterious sounding words. What exactly do they do? In the Anglican Church deacons are just as it were junior ministers or junior priests, but that is not what the Scripture has in mind for deacons. In some non-conformist churches it is rather the other extreme:, the deacons merely look after the fabric of the church and nothing else. What are the duties of these deacons? The term ‘deacon’ is exactly the same Greek word which is of course translated ‘minister’. Then how can we distinguish between ministers in the New Testament and deacons? Well of course the ministers of the word are just that: ministers or servants of the word of God, attenders, runners, errand boys, messengers of the word. Whereas these deacons are errand boys as it were or servants or ministers of the church, and that is the distinction. That is why our translators have traditionally distinguished between ministers and deacons, because although the same Greek word is used, it's used in relation to a different function, servants of the word, servants of the church. That is the description of the deacon's office: he is a servant of the church. He is devoted and loyal to the needs and the health of the church and its ministry. He is to look after the body of Christ, the whole family in many ways – not just the fabric, not just the building, but the flesh and blood, the people also. That is why the first deacons, the almoners of Acts 6 were given the ministry of compassion to look after. That was their special role – the care of the elderly and the infirm – and they were largely to do that to relieve the preachers, the preaching ministry. So there you see beautifully the duties of deacons, they look after the church. They also relieve the ministry and assist the ministry; it's the reason for their existence. They see to it that the ministry of the word is expedited and free to function. The deacons are very much involved in the care of the whole body, the ministries of care, the ministry of compassion also. Of course the preachers have a role in that as well, but the deacons are to relieve the ministry and they are given by God for the benefit of the body and to make sure that the ministry is free to function and is properly supported and is efficient, so that the word of God can have primacy in the life of the church. It is a most significant and important role. It is a very considerable role and that is why this strong language is used, ‘they that have used the office of a deacon well [have served well] purchase to themselves [or acquire to themselves] a good degree.’ That word translated ‘degree’ comes from the Greek for step, a good step or standing. It refers to status and position. We are not accustomed to talking about status and position in the church of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul brings it in here deliberately to jolt us. Not that he wishes the deacons to be put on a pedestal, but because he wishes it to be known that this work is important, and therefore it has office and station, status in the church of Christ. Those who serve as deacons well have a very important status in the church and position. This is a very responsible role. It involves authority; it involves planning; it involves care. The apostle couldn't put it more strongly than he does. They are positioned quite closely to the overseer, here in the chapter of qualifications. ‘And great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus’, confidence if you like. It is literally ‘outspokenness’ except that deacons are not necessarily preaching. In the early days we find two of those almoners became evangelists, but they are not necessarily preachers. Those deacons, who are experienced in their task and who serve well, gain great boldness in their leadership, says Paul. It doesn't mean they are overbearing; it means that because they prove the Lord, and because they earn the respect of the people, they are able to function in assisting in the leadership of the church, taking initiatives, exercising faith, praying with faith and vision.