20160903 Tuesday, September 13 2016
1 Timothy 03: Bishops And Deacons: What Should They Do?

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"As the steward of God; not selfwilled"

The English-language word "bishop" originated from the ancient Anglo-Saxon word biscop. The Anglo-Saxon word was used to translate the Greek word that meant an overseer.

Bishops were the elders (or "presbyters") who were given the responsibility for congregations. The key point about them is that the people weren't answerable to the Bishop - the Bishop was answerable to the LORD. Bishops were to be true "leaders," not mere pushers (see Leaders And Pushers).

"1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 1:8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." (Titus 1:7-9 KJV)

The English-language words "deacon" and "deaconess" were derived from the Greek word diaconos, meaning a servant. The original term was used for servants, with no church designation, however the apostles adopted the term for individuals who were given the responsibility of taking care for practical matters within the congregation (see Why Were They Called Deacons?).

The origin of the Biblical "deacons" (i.e. servants):

"6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith." (Acts 6:1-7 KJV)

The apostle Paul gave one of the Holy Bible's most-concise statements about who could be a bishop or deacon - and moerover, why: "As the steward of God; not selfwilled."

"3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 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.

3:14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (1 Timothy 3:1-16 KJV)

Fact Finder: What should "ministers" do?
See What Does The Bible Say About Ministers? and Disciples, Ministers, Apostles, Prophets