Notes on 1 Timothy 3:8-16

Deacons in the Church - 1 Timothy 3:8-13

Select Men & Women of Exemplary Christian Character as Deacons. Whereas the role of 'overseer' was limited to mature men, the role of 'deacon' (diakonos) includes mature women and men. The apostle Paul also pairs these leadership roles in Phil 1:1. Perhaps, he does not include a description of duties for 'supervisors' or 'servants,' because the names themselves are functional. While 'elders' were well established in the Jewish community from the time of Jethro (cf. Ex 18), 'deacons' acted in the Graeco-Roman patronage economy as 'go-betweens' or 'agents' of those they were authorized to represent. They filled a wide array of roles from food service and tutoring within the household to courier and transactional services outside it.

Deacons, likewise - 1 Timothy 3:8

Deacons, likewise. The biblical role of 'deacon' is rooted in the example of Jesus himself (cf. Mark 10:45), who came not to be served, but to serve (diakoneō), but also in the work of Phoebe (cf. Rom 16:2), and 'the seven' men of Acts 6:1-6, who were chosen by their community. Deacons represent Christ, and the congregation, not the elders or overseers. Their primary work is to preserve the integrity of the gospel by insuring 'acts of grace' accompany words of grace (cf. 2 Cor 8:4; 9:1, 12-13), particularly towards those in the community, who are most vulnerable to material want.

Revealed Truth- 1 Timothy 3:9

the revealed truth of the faith. The clear overlap in character requirements between 'overseers' and 'deacons,' as well as this requirement that deacons 'hold the mystery of the faith,' makes it plain that deacons are not mere social workers. Rather, to hold the words and deeds of the gospel together, they must possess and integrate them in their own households (3:12), as well as in their service to Christ's social body and witness to their neighbors.

Women - 1 Timothy 3:11

Women, in the same way. Paul follows the same pattern of address in the matter of selecting leaders, as he had with his instructions for corporate worship. He addresses the men and women together, first the men, then the women (see notes 2:8 and 2:9). The grammar of his list of qualifications for leaders holds the section together (see note 3:2). Four identifications have been offered for these women: 1) they are the wives of diaconal candidates; 2) irrespective of their marital status, they are female assistants to the deacons; 3) they are women candidates for the office of deacon; and 4) they are the wives of the elders and deacons.

husbands of one wife- 1 Timothy 3:12

husbands of one wife. Having listed the requirement that women be faithful in everything (3:11; cf. 5:9), Paul requires deacons to be 'one-woman-men' and to manage their households well (see notes 3:2 and 3:5).

Covenant Community: Timothy's Covenant Responsibility - 1 Timothy 3:14-16

Paul Summarizes the Church's Identity and Mission to Show-and-Tell the Gospel. This section provides a clear purpose statement for the letter and reiterates Paul's earlier instructions to Timothy (see note 1:18-20). The character and mission of the church is narrated by the bigger story of the gospel, the truth about God and humanity revealed by Christ.

How to behave in God's household- 1 Timothy 3:15

how to behave in God's household. As those who have been joined to God's household, the church is called to bear true witness to Christ by its way of life. Paul is concluding a section in which he has outlined the church's conduct in public worship (2:1-15) and in the character of its leaders (3:1-13). and support of the truth. Amidst a city of temples and their idols, Paul described the church at Ephesus as the household of the one, true God, who lives. That confession of truth is supported by their public piety in corporate worship, the character of their leaders and their own conduct.

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