Pensacola Christian College

Applied Philosophy of Deacon’s Roles in the Church

Project #1

A Project Submitted to
Mr. Richards

in Partial Fulfillment of

the Requirements for the Course

BI 319-1

1&2 Timothy and Titus

By

Robert Pinkerton

Pensacola, Florida

November 21, 2023

 In this paper, every OPINION from someone else has been indicated by a parenthetical
citation or reference number. I realize that the mere presence of a parenthetical note or reference
number does not avoid plagiarism.
 Parenthetical Citations: I have placed quotation marks around exact words, phrases,
clauses, or sentences of someone else. If I have paraphrased opinions of someone
else, I have stated those opinions in my own words (without quotation marks). I have
also introduced the quotations and paraphrases and followed the authors’ names with
parenthetical notes.
 Reference Numbers: I have placed quotation marks around exact words, phrases,
clauses, or sentences of someone else. If I have paraphrased the opinions of someone
else, I have stated those opinions in my own words (without quotation marks). I have
also introduced the quotations and paraphrases and put a reference number at the end
of the sentence.
ALL FACTUAL INFORMATION (common knowledge or uncontested knowledge),
though not credited with a parenthetical note or reference number, has been stated in my
sentence structure. I have not used anyone else’s organization of the facts.
This paper is my own first-time work. No one has helped me in the preparation or writing
of this paper. I understand that plagiarism detection software may be used on this paper.

Signed: Robert Pinkerton

 1

Applied Philosophy of Deacon’s Roles in the Church

Deacons. They are an essential part of the New Testament church and although Paul,

under the inspiration of God Himself literally describes the roles, duties, differences,

qualifications, spirituality, family, heart, and reward of a deacon, there is even now

misunderstanding of it all. This paper will attempt to break down and explain the philosophy of

deaconship in the church.

The word deacon means “servant”. This servant idea perfectly encompasses both the

qualifications of and the character of any man that wants to be a deacon. To fully comprehend

the purpose of deacons, it is best to go back to the origin; the place where the first deacons were

ordained (Acts 6). Basically, there was murmuring from the Grecians that the apostles neglected

the widows. The apostles had an abundance of responsibility and reasoned that it was not best for

them to leave the word of God to serve tables. (No, serving tables was not a dishonorable job or

one that the apostles did not necessarily want to fulfil. It was a necessary job, but one that the

apostles were not commissioned to perform.) The apostles, full of Godly discernment, decided to

find men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom that could be appointed over the

necessary duty of servanthood. The apostle’s decision was pleasing to the multitude and indeed

best because the word of God increased and the number of disciples multiplied.

While most of the apostles were Jewish, something that should be noticed is in Acts 6 is

that the first 7 deacons were Greek. This speaks to the unity within the church body and in the

inclusivity of Christ.

This paper will attempt to clarify most misunderstandings of deaconship within

the church through eight different subtopics beginning with the role of the office of deacon.
 2

The Role of the Office of Deacon

The role of the deacon is simple, but just because something is simple does not mean that

it is easy. It is hard work. As seen in Acts 6, the first task of deacons was to take care of the

neglected widows, but after referencing additional scripture, it is noticed that that was not their

only job. Taking care of widows was a specific role, but their main role was ministering to the

saints (2 Corinthians 8:4). The Thirdmill Study Bible says this,

“The biblical role of 'deacon' is rooted in the example of Jesus himself who came not to

be served, but to serve, but also in the work of Phoebe, and 'the seven' men of Acts 6:1-6,

who were chosen by their community. Deacons represent Christ, and the congregation,

not the elders or overseers. Their primary work is to preserve the integrity of the gospel

by insuring 'acts of grace' accompany words of grace particularly towards those in the

community, who are most vulnerable to material want.”1

The Duties of a Deacon

The duties of a deacon and the role of a deacon sharply overlap. A deacon’s duty is

service. A deacon’s motto should be “service before self.”

Difference between Deacon and Pastor

Deacons and pastors have many similarities such as a godly wife, faithful children, and

not seeking earthly possessions, but the main difference is this. Deacons do not have to be “apt to

teach”. 1 Timothy 3:2 says that bishops must be apt to teach, but 1 Timothy 3:9 says that deacons

hold the mystery of the faith in pure conscience. This basically means that pastors preach and

teach while deacons serve the people and preserve the Word.
1
https://thirdmill.org/studybible/note.asp/id/42597#:~:text=Deacons%2C%20likewise%20%2D%201%20Timothy
%203%3A8&text=Rom%2016%3A2)%2C%20and,accompany%20words%20of%20grace%20(cf.
 3

A Deacon's Qualifications and Character

According to Paul, there are several different qualifications that a man must possess

before he can be appointed to the office of deacon. Something to remember before appointing a

man to deacon is that men are put into church offices based on past performance not necessarily

future potential. Paul literally says this. “For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how

shall he take care of the church of God?” This is the basis of the claim past performance not

necessarily future potential.

A man must first be grave. According to the Clarke’s Commentary, this means that

deacons must have a sedated and dignified carriage and conduct.2 A good question (mustard test)

to assess gravity is this. “When this man enters a room, does he ‘demand’ respect from everyone

in the room.” No, this does not mean that deacons never have fun or make jokes, but it means

that there is a seriousness about them. They are not the people that are expected to be pranksters.

Second, he must not be double tongued. Matt Smethurst, an author and lead pastor of River City

Baptist Church says, “A double tongue indicates a fear of man, and a deacon driven by fear of

man can destroy a whole church.”3 A deacon’s (and any believer’s) first allegiance is to God not

man. Believers are to fear God alone (1 Samuel 12:24). Third, a deacon must not be given to

much wine. “Not only are deacons to be self-controlled in their speech, they are also to be self-

controlled in their appetites. This standard prohibits drunkenness (Eph. 5:18)”3. While wine was

allowed to be used as medicine (1 Timothy 5:23), it was never to be used and abused. Fourth, a

deacon may not be greedy of filthy lucre. 1 Timothy 6:10a says, “For the love of money is the

2
Clarke, Adam. "Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:8". "The Adam Clarke Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/
commentaries/acc/1-timothy-3.html. 1832.
3
Smethhust, Matt. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/deacons/#:~:text=A%20double%20tongue%20indicates
%20a,can%20destroy%20a%20whole%20church.&text=Not%20only%20are%20deacons%20to,Eph.
 4

root of all evil.” As previously stated, a deacon’s first allegiance is to God. God has no evil.

Therefore, a deacon must not lust after money or other earthly possessions.

The Deacon's Spirituality

In regard to a deacon’s spirituality, he must be blameless. Blameless is not equivalent to

perfect. Blameless means innocent; sure, he might make mistakes, but they are outliers and not

the norm and when he does he quickly makes it right with both God and man.

The Deacon's Family

1 Timothy 3:11-12 says, “11Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober,

faithful in all things.12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their

own houses well.” Paul, under the inspiration of Holy Spirit has eloquently laid out the

appearance of and qualities of the deacon’s family. As previously stated, grave means that there

is a dignified conduct. Not slanderers means that she is not trying to falsely damage a person’s

reputation. Contrary to popular belief, sober does not simply mean not drunk, but speaks to a

clarity of mind. Is the wife able to think clearly and of her own volition? And, lastly for the wife,

she is faithful or dependable. She is able to be counted on.

The deacon’s children should be ruled well. Steve Moseley from the Truth Magazine

says, “The Scriptures tell us that elders are to have "children in subjection with all gravity" (1

Tim. 3:4) and "having faithful children not accused or riot or unruly" (Tit. 1:6). Yet of the

deacons we are told only that they should be men, "ruling their children and their own houses

well." This is a positive command directed toward the deacons and not toward their children.

Unlike the children of elders there are no qualifications for the deacon's children.” 4
4
Moseley, Steve. https://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume33/GOT033300.html#:~:text=The
%20Qualifications%20of%20Deacons'%20Children&text=3%3A4)%20and%20%22having,and%20not%20toward
%20their%20children.
 5

The Heart and Mindset of a Deacon

The heart and mindset of any church office but especially a deacon should be service.

They should always be asking themselves, “How can I serve the congregation or the

community.”

The Faithful Deacon's Reward

According to 1 Timothy 3:13, faithful deacons receive great boldness in faith and

purchase a good degree. BibleRef says this, “Faithful deacons are to be respected for their

service and recognized for their work. A deacon's role is not primarily administrative, but

spiritual. Serving well leads to great spiritual reward.”5 As a deacon become more bold in his

faith, he becomes more confident and as he becomes more confident he evangelizes more

effectively leading to the gospel being spread more optimally.

A deacon’s work is a hard work, but also a rewarding work. He has many requirements

and must set a good example for his family and his church. In the end, his work is worth it

because he is storing up eternal rewards not earthly recompense.

Bibliography

Clarke, Adam. "Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:8". "The Adam Clarke Commentary".

https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/1-timothy-3.html. 1832.
https://thirdmill.org/studybible/note.asp/id/42597#:~:text=Deacons%2C%20likewise%20%2D
%201%20Timothy%203%3A8&text=Rom%2016%3A2)%2C%20and,accompany
%20words%20of%20grace%20(cf.

5
https://www.bibleref.com/1-Timothy/3/1-Timothy-3-13.html
 6

Smethhust, Matt. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/deacons/#:~:text=A%20double

%20tongue%20indicates%20a,can%20destroy%20a%20whole%20church.&text=Not
%20only%20are%20deacons%20to,Eph.
Moseley, Steve.
https://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume33/GOT033300.html#:~:text=The
%20Qualifications%20of%20Deacons'%20Children&text=3%3A4)%20and
%20%22having,and%20not%20toward%20their%20children.
https://www.bibleref.com/1-Timothy/3/1-Timothy-3-13.html