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The meaning of the word - diakonos. According to Young's Analytical Concordance, the Greek word is translated three different ways: Deacon - 3 times. Minister - 20 times. Servant - 7 times.

In 1 Tim. 3:8, 12 qualifications are given for those who are to serve as deacons. In Phil. 1:1, they are listed along with the bishops as recognized fixtures of the church at Philippi.

References where diakonos is translated minister: Matt. 20:26 - Jesus said "He that would be great among you, let him be your minister or servant (diakonos).

Rom. 13:4 - The official of government is a minister (diakonos) of God. This is not his actual job name, nor does it describe his particular function, but it tells what role he basically occupies before God.

1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 11:23; Eph. 6:21; 1 Tim. 4:6: These and other references describe the evangelist as a minister or servant (diakonos). The word diakonos does not denote his particular function, that of evangelist or preacher, but tells that he is basically a servant.

In all, of the 20 occurrences of the word translated minister, twelve times the reference is to preachers.

References where diakonos is translated servant. Matt. 22:13 – “Then the king said to the servants....” Matt. 23:11 – “He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”

Mark 9:35 – “If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.” John 2:5, 9 - Both of these verses refer to the volunteers that were helping out at the wedding feast. John 12:26 – “And where I am, there shall also my servant be.”

Rom. 16:1 - This passage refers to Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae. Much has been made of Phoebe, arguing that women could occupy the place of a deacon in the sense of 1 Tim. 3.

She was called a deacon. They also argue that the women of 1 Tim. 3:11 are the deaconesses. There is no conflict I can see from scripture if a woman were a deaconess.

But nowhere are qualifications given for deaconesses, unless it is 1 Tim. 3:11. Although I can see some merit to these arguments, I would be afraid to venture forth and maintain that women should be made deaconesses on a par with men.

The word translated women in 1 Tim. 3:11 is also the word that would be used of wives. These women are not required to meet all the qualifications that the men are. The things said of them in verse 11 are equivalent to the things required of the deacons in 3:8-10.

But are they to be husbands of one wife? It does not even say wives of one husband. Their marital status is not dealt with at all. Are they to rule their own houses well?

Women such as Phoebe were most likely unmarried women who would do a particular task, such as Phoebe did, but who would not function as a more or less continual functionary of the congregation.

One very important point to make is that the basic idea of diakonos is that of servant, assistant, not of ruler.

The qualifications of deacons (1 Tim. 3:8-13). Grave = to be venerated for character, honorable (Thayer, p. 573). Not double-tongued = double- tongued, double in speech, saying one thing with one person, another with another (with intent to deceive) (Thayer, p. 152).

Not given to much wine = to be given or addicted to (Thayer, p. 546). Not greedy of filthy lucre = not eager for base gain (Thayer, p. 17). Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

Let these also first be proved = to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not) Thayer, p. 154). Then let them serve as deacons if found blameless = that cannot be called to account, unreprovable, unaccused, blameless Thayer, p. 44). Husbands of one wife.

Ruling = to be over, to superintend, preside over Thayer, p. 539) their children and their own houses well. Absent from the qualification of deacons is anything requiring their children to be believers. What is required is that they rule their children and their own houses well, i.e. have them in control.

In choosing men to be appointed deacons, remember: These are not those who rule, tend, oversee, or feed the flock. Being an older man is not part of their qualification.

Their qualifications do imply that they are to be known, that their track record is known, and that they are to be good men spiritually (particularly A, E, and F). Having believing children is not specified as part of their qualifications.

They are helpers, assistants to the elders, not junior elders. They are to be good men, faithful men, men not enslaved to wine, men who cannot be accused of any wrongdoing, men whose families are under control, instead of wild and uncontrolled.

Understand that it is a good possibility that there will be more qualified men than needed. Then it will be a practical matter of who has more time, or desire. The choice of men who do not meet the qualifications of 1 Tim. 3 will result only in problems and embarrassments.

Remember what your sheet says at the bottom: "Please contact any man you list to be sure he is willing to serve.“ And men, remember that for you to accept the position of deacon, you must feel that you meet the qualifications given, and that you have the time and the willingness to do the work required. This is not an honorary position.

Conclusion: Choosing deacons is an important thing, and scripture needs to be respected, but remember that deacons are not elders, and their qualifications are not as stringent as those of men who feed and lead the flock. Let us do this task with the same peace and harmony that characterized the Jerusalem church.