Deacons as Servants

Definitions Three cognate words: a diakoneo—to serve, to wait on, to minister to a diakoneo—to serve, to wait on, to minister to b diakonia—service, ministry b diakonia—service, ministry c diakonos—servant, minister, deacon c diakonos—servant, minister, deacon

Applied to a master’s servants: a Parable: Luke 17:8— Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? a Parable: Luke 17:8— Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? ac John 12:26— If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. ac John 12:26— If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. c John 2:5— His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” c John 2:5— His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” c John 2:9— When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom c John 2:9— When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom

Applied to Christ: a Matt. 20:28—even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. a Matt. 20:28—even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. a Mark 10:45—For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. a Mark 10:45—For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. a The master in a parable: Luke 12:37—Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. a The master in a parable: Luke 12:37—Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. a Luke 22:26-27— 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. a Luke 22:26-27— 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. c Rom. 15:8— For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, c Rom. 15:8— For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,

Applied to angels: a Matt. 4:11— Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. a Matt. 4:11— Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. a Mark 1:13— And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. a Mark 1:13— And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. b Heb. 1:14— Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? b Heb. 1:14— Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Applied to apostles: b Acts 1:17— For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry. b Acts 1:17— For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry. b Acts 1:25— 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” b Acts 1:25— 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”

Applied to Paul: a 2 Cor. 3:3—And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. a 2 Cor. 3:3—And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. b Acts 20:24— But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. b Acts 20:24— But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. b Acts 21:19— After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. b Acts 21:19— After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. b Rom. 11:13— Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry b Rom. 11:13— Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry

Applied to Paul (cont.): b 2 Cor. 4:1—Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. b 2 Cor. 4:1—Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. b 2 Cor. 5:18—All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; b 2 Cor. 5:18—All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; b 2 Cor. 6:3—We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, b 2 Cor. 6:3—We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, b 2 Cor. 11:8—I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. b 2 Cor. 11:8—I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. b 1 Tim. 1:12—I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, b 1 Tim. 1:12—I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,

Applied to Paul (cont.): c 2 Cor. 3:6—who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. c 2 Cor. 3:6—who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. c 2 Cor. 6:4—but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, c 2 Cor. 6:4—but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, c Eph. 3:7— Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. c Eph. 3:7— Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. c Col. 1:23— if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. c Col. 1:23— if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. c Col. 1:25— of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, c Col. 1:25— of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,

Applied to Paul’s helpers: a Erastus: Acts 19:22 a Erastus: Acts 19:22 a Onesimus: Philm. 13 a Onesimus: Philm. 13 b Mark: 2 Tim. 4:11 b Mark: 2 Tim. 4:11 abc Timothy: Acts 19:22; 2 Tim. 4:5; abc Timothy: Acts 19:22; 2 Tim. 4:5; 1 Thess. 3:2; 1 Tim. 4:6 c Apollos: 1 Cor. 3:5 c Apollos: 1 Cor. 3:5 c Tychicus: Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7 c Tychicus: Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7 c Epaphras: Col. 1:7 c Epaphras: Col. 1:7

Applied to Preaching and Teaching: b Apostles: Acts 6:4— But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. b Apostles: Acts 6:4— But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.

Applied to those who help fellow saints: a Hebrew Christians: Heb. 6:10— For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. a Hebrew Christians: Heb. 6:10— For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. b Household of Stephanas: 1 Cor. 16:15— Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— b Household of Stephanas: 1 Cor. 16:15— Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— b Archippus: Col. 4:17— And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” b Archippus: Col. 4:17— And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

Applied to Christians with a gift of service: a 1 Pet. 4:10-12—As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as [one who serves] by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. a 1 Pet. 4:10-12—As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as [one who serves] by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. b Rom. 12:7— if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; b Rom. 12:7— if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; b 1 Cor. 12:5—and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; b 1 Cor. 12:5—and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;

Applied to the work of all Christians: b Eph. 4:12— to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, b Eph. 4:12— to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, b Rev. 2:19— “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. b Rev. 2:19— “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. c Matt. 20:26— It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, c Matt. 20:26— It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, c parable: Matt. 22:13— Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ c parable: Matt. 22:13— Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ c Matt. 23:11— The greatest among you shall be your servant. c Matt. 23:11— The greatest among you shall be your servant. c Also Mark 9:35; 10:43; John 12:26 c Also Mark 9:35; 10:43; John 12:26

Applied to taking money to help: a Rom. 15: 25; 2 Cor. 8:19-20 a Rom. 15: 25; 2 Cor. 8:19-20 b Acts 11:29; 12:25; Rom. 15:31; b Acts 11:29; 12:25; Rom. 15:31; 2 Cor. 8:4; 9:1, Applied to helping those in prison: a Matt. 25:44— Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’

Applied to women: a Peter’s mother-in-law: Matt. 8:15; Mark 1:31; Luke 4:39 a Peter’s mother-in-law: Matt. 8:15; Mark 1:31; Luke 4:39 a Women who followed Jesus: Matt. 27:55; Mark 15:41; Luke 8:2-3 a Women who followed Jesus: Matt. 27:55; Mark 15:41; Luke 8:2-3 ab Martha: Luke 10:40; John 12:2 ab Martha: Luke 10:40; John 12:2 c Phoebe: Rom. 16:1— I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, c Phoebe: Rom. 16:1— I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae,

Applied to the Seven at Jerusalem: a Acts 6:2— And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.” a Acts 6:2— And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.” b Acts 6:1— Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. b Acts 6:1— Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

Applied to deacons: a 1 Tim. 3:10—And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. a 1 Tim. 3:10—And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. a 1 Tim. 3:13—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. a 1 Tim. 3:13—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. c Phil. 1:1— Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: c Phil. 1:1— Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: c 1 Tim. 3:8—Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. c 1 Tim. 3:8—Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. c 1 Tim. 3:12—Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. c 1 Tim. 3:12—Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.

Questions Should deacons be appointed only when there is a specific task to be done? Should deacons be appointed only when there is a specific task to be done? Is it proper simply to appoint deacons to have a scripturally organized church even if there is no specific task for the deacons? Is it proper simply to appoint deacons to have a scripturally organized church even if there is no specific task for the deacons? Should deacons be viewed as a kind of junior elders, or elders in training? Should deacons be viewed as a kind of junior elders, or elders in training?