The Work of Deacons The meaning of the word translated deacon. –According to Young's Analytical Concordance, the Greek word translated deacon is found a total of thirty times. –The word is translated three different ways: Deacon - 3 times. Minister - 20 times. Servant - 7 times.

The passages where the term is translated deacon are: –1 Tim. 3:8, 12 where qualifications are given for those who are to serve as deacons. –Phil. 1:1 where they are listed along with the bishops as recognized fixtures of the church at Philippi. In addition there are two verses that use a verb that means to “act as a deacon” (1 Tim. 3:10, 13).

There is not one word in any of these verses about any specific work that the deacons are to do. How then may we know anything about their work?

First, the meaning of the term deacon. Elders are superintendents and lead the church as shepherds of the flock. The terms “overseer” and “pastor” used in reference to the elders show this, as well as many verses describing their work (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2; Heb. 13:17).

Deacons are assistants. The term itself means this, not only in the verses where the reference is to deacons of the church but also in the verses where the word is translated as “minister” and “servant.” The deacons help the elders to carry out the work of the church.

They do not help tend, because that is peculiarly the work of the elders, but in the work that elders undertake the deacons help them to execute the work. The jobs that deacons do involve especially the physical jobs that need to be done, but also can include work that is spiritual in nature. The jobs that are done largely behind the scenes are vital to the smooth operation of a church.

An example. Though the men of Acts 6 are not referred to as deacons, and though there is considerable question about whether they would have met the qualifications of 1 Tim. 3, I believe that the example there illustrates the principles involved in a deacon’s work.

In Acts 6, a problem arose concerning the daily ministration. This daily ministration is defined: –Ministration itself is from diakonia, a word that means service, something that was being done for others to help them. –It involved something in which the Grecian widows were neglected. –Something that involved serving tables.

The church was under the oversight of the apostles at this time, since no elders are mentioned at all, nor is there any evidence that the church had scattered. The apostles recognized the problem and deemed the problem necessary to deal with. But they did not think it fit to take their time away from what their primary responsibilities were to take care of the problem.

Therefore they called upon the church to select men of sterling reputation, men whose lives thoroughly reflected the influence of the Holy Spirit, and appointed those men over the work.

The work these men did were not random jobs but tasks directly involved in doing the work the apostles deemed necessary. So it must be with the deacons among us. The elders have done much work in assigning different tasks to various deacons to be sure that no work is neglected.

Other principles to consider. The care of one another’s needs falls first and foremost upon the family of that person (1 Tim. 5:8). “If any woman that believeth hath widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed” (1 Tim. 5:16).

When anyone has a family, that family should look after the person, and not the church. There are, however, widows indeed, meaning widows that for one reason or another has no one else to help, nor do they have the financial means to support themselves. In cases such as these, as we see in 1 Tim. 5, it is work the church needs to see after.

As a part of the oversight of the elders, it is necessary to try to make sure that neglect does not occur. Deacons may be a part of this effort, but when a person is able to afford their own support, or when they have family to look after them then the deacons should not be the primary ones to provide the care.

There are times when, because of emergencies that arise, saints in general may need help, as in Acts 6, as in Acts 11:27-30, and as in the collection Paul took up for the poor saints in Jerusalem. In administering that help the deacons may serve.

We must also remember that in the functioning of a church, the membership in general has a responsibility. We behold the work done by the saints in Jerusalem (Acts 4- 6).

The saints should not have the idea that their work can be done representatively through a select few men. All of the saints have the responsibility to “do good unto all men, especially to them that are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10).

It is important to have the contribution that each joint (or part) supplies for the proper functioning of the church. Not only must we have the work that elders do, and deacons, but also the work that each members does as opportunity rises.

Though the deacons act often in service to the saints, nevertheless, they are not the saints’ servants but the elders’ assistants. Each of us needs to be willing to look to the things of others, in other words, to be ready to help when it is needed. This is not just the deacons’ work.