About Deacons …
They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.
— I Timothy 3:9
In I Timothy 3:8-13, Paul gives the qualifications for those who desire to serve as deacons. The first verse in this passage teaches us an important point: "Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain" – I Timothy 3:8. The word, "likewise," is important to understanding this passage properly. In the verses immediately before this passage (I Timothy 3:1-7), Paul provided the qualifications for the position of an elder. In discussing the qualifications for an elder, Paul mentions the "office of an elder" and states that "An elder then must be blameless ..." (I Timothy 3:1-2). Just as an "elder must be ... ," a deacon "likewise must be ... ." The word "likewise" connects the two as offices that require specific qualifications for appointment.
Therefore, just as the word "elder" denotes a specific office, the word "deacon" denotes a specific office, with qualifications listed below:
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine,
not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith
in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved;
then let them use the office
of a deacon, being found blameless.
Even so must their wives be grave,
not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
— I Timothy 3:8-11
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