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Role and Responsibilities of a Biblical Deacon

The term "deacon" is an Anglicized form of the Greek word diakonos, meaning a "runner," "messenger," or "servant" [2]. This office appears in the New Testament alongside that of a bishop, with both mentioned in Philippians 1:1 and 1 Timothy 3:2, 8 [1]. The original meaning of diakonos implies a helper or assistant [1].

The institution of the diaconate is commonly traced to Acts 6, where the apostles addressed a complaint from Hellenistic Jews that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of alms [1, 2]. To resolve this, the apostles called for seven men to be chosen to oversee this "daily ministration," allowing the apostles to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word [1, 12]. While the term "deacon" is not explicitly used for these seven men in Acts 6, this event is widely understood as the origin of the diaconal office [1, 12].

The responsibilities of deacons primarily involve the temporal and practical concerns of the church. They "served tables," meaning they managed the distribution of resources, particularly for the poor, and provided for the maintenance of ministers [12]. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, explains that a deacon's work is "not to preach the Gospel, and administer ordinances; but to take care of the secular affairs of the church, and particularly to serve tables" [10]. This includes providing elements for the Lord's Supper, distributing them, collecting for the church, defraying expenses, and dividing remaining funds among the poor [10].

The qualifications for deacons are outlined in 1 Timothy 3:8-12. They must be grave (serious), not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain, and must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience [13]. They are to be tested first, and if found blameless, then allowed to serve [1 Timothy 3:10]. Furthermore, a deacon must be "the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household" [3]. The Tyndale House commentary notes that this passage emphasizes character over specific activities [13].

The New Testament also suggests the existence of deaconesses. The word diakonos is used in Romans 16:1 in association with a female name, Phoebe, who is described as a "servant" (KJV) or "deaconess" [7, 8]. This has led to the conclusion that an order of women existed in the apostolic age, performing functions analogous to those of deacons for their own sex [7]. John Chrysostom, an early church father, interpreted the qualifications for women in 1 Timothy 3:11 as referring to deaconesses, stating that "that order is necessary and useful and honorable in the Church" [11].

Those who serve well in the office of deacon are promised a "good degree" and "great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus" [5, 6]. This "good degree" is interpreted by John Gill not as a higher office, but rather as an increase of gifts and grace, or a degree of respect and honor within the church [14]. The role of a deacon is distinct from that of an elder or bishop, though both are offices of service within the church [1, 9]. While bishops were considered the "elders," deacons were seen as the "young active men" of the church [1]. The term "minister" itself, from which "deacon" derives, signifies a voluntary attendant on another, and in the Old Testament, it applied to attendants on high-ranking persons, royal court attaches, and priests and Levites [4].

Sources

  1. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Deacon — The office described by this title appears in the New Testament as the correlative of bishop. [[420]Bishop] The two are mentioned together in (Philemon 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:2,8) Its original meaning implied a helper, an assistant. The bishops were the "elders," the deacons the young active men, of the church. The narrative of Acts 6 is commonly referred to as giving an account of the institution of this office. The apostles, in order to meet the complaints of the Hellenistic Jews that their widows were neglected in the daily ministration, call on the body of beli”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Deacon — Anglicized form of the Greek word diaconos, meaning a "runner," "messenger," "servant." For a long period a feeling of mutual jealousy had existed between the "Hebrews," or Jews proper, who spoke the sacred language of palestine, and the "Hellenists," or Jews of the Grecian speech, who had adopted the Grecian language, and read the Septuagint version of the Bible instead of the Hebrew. This jealousy early appeared in the Christian community. It was alleged by the Hellenists that their widows were overlooked in the daily distribution of alms. This spirit must”
  3. I Timothy “I Timothy 3:12 (BSB) — A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.”
  4. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Minister — This term is used in the Authorized Version to describe various officials of a religious and civil character. Its meaning, as distinguished from servant, is a voluntary attendant on another. In the Old Testament it is applied (1) to an attendance upon a person of high rank, (Exodus 24:13; Joshua 1:1; 2 Kings 4:43) (2) to the attaches of a royal court, (1 Kings 10:5; 2 Chronicles 22:8) comp. Psal 104:4 (3) To the priests and Levites. (Ezra 8:17; Nehemiah 10:36; Isaiah 61:6; Ezekiel 44:11; Joel 1:9,13) One term in the New Testament betokens a subordinate publ”
  5. King James Version “[KJV] 1 Timothy 3:13 — 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.”
  6. I Timothy “I Timothy 3:13 (Webster) — 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.”
  7. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Deaconess — The word diakonos is found in (Romans 16:1) (Authorized Version "servant") associated with a female name, and this has led to the conclusion that there existed in the apostolic age, as there undoubtedly did a little later, an order of women bearing that title, and exercising in relation to their own sex functions which were analogous to those of the deacons. On this hypothesis it has been inferred that the women mentioned in (Romans 16:6,12) belonged to such an order. The rules given as to the conduct of women in (1 Timothy 3:11; Titus 2:3) have in like ma”
  8. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Deaconess — Rom. 16:1, 3, 12; Phil. 4:2, 3; 1 Tim. 3:11; 5:9, 10; Titus 2:3, 4). In these passages it is evident that females were then engaged in various Christian ministrations. Pliny makes mention of them also in his letter to Trajan (A.D. 110).”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Titles and Names of Ministers — Ambassadors for Christ -- 2Co 5:20. Angels of the Church -- Re 1:20; 2:1. Apostles -- Lu 6:13; Eph 4:11; Re 18:20. Apostles of Jesus Christ -- Tit 1:1. Bishops -- Php 1:1; 1Ti 3:1; Tit 1:7. Deacons -- Ac 6:1; 1Ti 3:8; Php 1:1. Elders -- 1Ti 5:17; 1Pe 5:1. Evangelists -- Eph 4:11; 2Ti 4:5. Fishers of men -- Mt 4:19; Mr 1:17. Labourers -- Mt 9:38; Phm 1:1; 1Th 2:2. Messengers of the church -- 2Co 8:2,3. Messengers of the Lord of hosts -- Mal 2:7. Ministers of God -- 2Co 6:4. Ministers of the Lord -- Joe 1:17. Ministers of Christ -- Ro 15”
  10. 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 3:8: Likewise must the deacons be grave,.... The apostle proceeds to give the qualifications, and so the rules for choosing another sort of officers in the church, deacons; whose work and business is, not to preach the Gospel, and administer ordinances; but to take care of the secular affairs of the church, and particularly to serve tables; to provide the bread and wine for the Lord's table, to attend at it, and distribute the elements from the minister to the people, to collect for it, defray the charges of it, and divide what remains among the poor; and they are to tak”
  11. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.” Some have thought that this is said of women generally, but it is not so, for why should he introduce anything about women to interfere with his subject? He is speaking of those who hold the rank of Deaconesses. Ver. 12 . “Let the Deacons be husbands of one wife.” This 1204 1204 i.e. the verse before. must be understood therefore to relate to Deaconesses. For that order is necessary and useful and honorable in the Church. Observe how he requires the same virtue from the Deacons, as ”
  12. 1 Timothy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 3:8: We have here the character of deacons: these had the care of the temporal concerns of the church, that is, the maintenance of the ministers and provision for the poor: they served tables, while the ministers or bishops gave themselves only to the ministry of the word and prayer, Act 6:2, Act 6:4. Of the institution of this office, with that which gave occasion to it, you have an account in Act 6:1-7. Now it was requisite that deacons should have a good character, because they were assistants to the ministers, appeared and acted publicly, and had a great trust re”
  13. 1 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Timothy 3:8: 3:8-13 The Greek word translated deacon (“servant, assistant, courier, agent”) and its cognates (“service, to serve”) are commonly used for service of any kind (e.g., 4:6; Matt 22:13; John 2:5; 12:26; Rom 13:4; 1 Cor 3:5). As designating an office in the church, it occurs only in 1 Tim 3:8-13; Phil 1:1; and (maybe) Rom 16:1. This passage concentrates on character rather than activities. See also study note on Acts 6:2-6. 3:8 must not be . . . dishonest with money (3:3): Greed is disreputable and improper (6:6-10, 17-19; Eph 5:3; Col 3:5), especially for those wh”
  14. 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 3:13: For they that have used the office of a deacon well,.... With diligence and faithfulness, with simplicity and cheerfulness; taking good care of the minister and poor, and of the discipline of God's house: purchase to themselves a good degree; not an higher office, as that of presbytery or episcopacy, which is a sense calculated to serve a hierarchy; nor a degree in glory and happiness hereafter; but rather an increase of gifts and grace; or a degree of respect and honour in the church: or the sense is, they possess and enjoy, which is the meaning of the word rend”
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