Deacons
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Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Role:
Deacons are a group of church officers in the Christian tradition, primarily responsible for serving the congregation and assisting in the practical and administrative needs of the church. The term "deacon" is derived from the Greek word "diakonos," meaning "servant" or "minister." The role of deacons is distinct from that of elders or overseers, focusing more on service and support within the church community.

Biblical Foundation:
The establishment of the role of deacons is traditionally traced to Acts 6:1-6, where the early church in Jerusalem appointed seven men to assist the apostles by managing the distribution of food to widows. This was done to ensure that the apostles could devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. The Berean Standard Bible records this event as follows:

"In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenistic Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, 'It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.' This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them." (Acts 6:1-6)

Qualifications:
The qualifications for deacons are outlined in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. According to the Berean Standard Bible, deacons must be "worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain." They must "hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience" and be tested before serving. Additionally, deacons are to be the husband of one wife and manage their children and households well. The passage reads:

"Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money. They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household. For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 3:8-13)

Functions and Duties:
The primary function of deacons is to serve the church in practical ways, allowing the elders to focus on spiritual leadership and teaching. This service can include managing church resources, caring for the needy, and facilitating the logistics of church gatherings. Deacons are often seen as the hands and feet of the church, embodying the servant leadership exemplified by Christ.

Historical Context:
In the early church, deacons played a crucial role in maintaining the unity and functionality of the Christian community. Their service ensured that the physical needs of the congregation were met, which in turn supported the spiritual growth and outreach of the church. Over time, the role of deacons has evolved, but the core principle of service remains central to their function within the church.

Significance:
Deacons are vital to the health and operation of the church, providing necessary support and service that enable the church to fulfill its mission. Their role underscores the biblical principle that all members of the body of Christ are called to serve one another in love and humility, following the example of Jesus, who came "not to be served, but to serve" (Matthew 20:28).
Greek
1247. diakoneo -- to serve, minister
... support (1), do...the serving (1), employ...in serving (1), minister (3), ministered
(2), ministering (3), servant (1), serve (4), serve as deacons (1), served ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1247.htm - 9k

5376. Philippos -- "horse-loving," Philip, two sons of Herod the ...
... b) tetrarch of the Ituraean and Trachonitic region, half-brother of Herod Antipas,
tetrarch of Galilee, (c) one of the seven original deacons at Jerusalem and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5376.htm - 7k

3937. Parmenas -- "constant," Parmenas, a Christian
... Transliteration: Parmenas Phonetic Spelling: (par-men-as') Short Definition: Parmenas
Definition: Parmenas, one of the original seven deacons at Jerusalem. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3937.htm - 6k

4402. Prochoros -- Prochorus, a Christian at Jer.
... Transliteration: Prochoros Phonetic Spelling: (prokh'-or-os) Short Definition:
Prochorus Definition: Prochorus, one of the seven original deacons at Jerusalem. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4402.htm - 6k

5096. Timon -- Timon, a Christian
... Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Timon Phonetic Spelling: (tee'-mone) Short Definition:
Timon Definition: Timon, one of the seven original deacons at Jerusalem ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5096.htm - 6k

1249. diakonos -- a servant, minister
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition a servant, minister NASB Word
Usage deacons (3), minister (7), servant (10), servants (9). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1249.htm - 8k

4736. Stephanos -- "crown," Stephen, the first Christian martyr
... Transliteration: Stephanos Phonetic Spelling: (stef'-an-os) Short Definition: Stephen
Definition: Stephen, one of the seven original deacons at Jerusalem, and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4736.htm - 6k

Library

The Seven Deacons
... Lesson 9 The Seven Deacons. [This chapter is based on Acts 6:1-7.] In those
days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 9 the seven deacons.htm

Deacons and Deaconesses.
... CHURCH. Section 62. Deacons and Deaconesses. Deacons, [729] or helpers, appear
first in the church of Jerusalem, seven in number. The ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 62 deacons and deaconesses.htm

Epistle xxvii. To the Presbyters and Deacons.
... Epistle XXVII. To the Presbyters and Deacons. Argument."The ... Others. 1. Cyprian
to the presbyters and deacons, his brethren, greeting. You ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle xxvii to the presbyters.htm

Duties of Deacons.
... Epistle of Peter to James. Chapter XII."Duties of Deacons. ... These things,
then, and things like to these, let the deacons attend to. ...
/.../unknown/epistle of peter to james/chapter xii duties of deacons.htm

Epistle v. To the Presbyters and Deacons.
... Epistle V. To the Presbyters and Deacons. Argument."The ... This. 1. Cyprian
to the presbyters and deacons, his brethren, greeting. I ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle v to the presbyters.htm

Epistle iv. To the Presbyters and Deacons.
... Epistle IV. To the Presbyters and Deacons. Argument ... ad250. 1. Cyprian to the
presbyters and deacons, his beloved brethren, greeting. Being ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle iv to the presbyters.htm

The Institution of Deacons, and the History of Stephen.
... LECTURES LECTURE VIII. THE INSTITUTION OF DEACONS, AND THE HISTORY OF
STEPHEN. Chap. vi. "YE have the poor always with you, but ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture viii the institution of.htm

Epistle xvii. To the Presbyters and Deacons About the Foregoing ...
... Epistle XVII. To the Presbyters and Deacons About the Foregoing and the Following
Letters. ... Cyprian to the presbyters and deacons, his brethren, greeting. ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle xvii to the presbyters.htm

Letter clxxii. To the Presbyters and Deacons of the Church of ...
... CLXXII. To the Presbyters and Deacons of the Church of Alexandria. To the
Presbyters and Deacons of the Church of Alexandria. (Inviting ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter clxxii to the presbyters.htm

Innocent, Bishop, to Presbyters and Deacons, and to all the Clergy ...
... innocent, bishop, to presbyters and deacons, and to all the clergy and people of
the church of constantinople, the brethren beloved who are subject to the ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/innocent bishop to presbyters and.htm

Thesaurus
Deacons (5 Occurrences)
...Deacons (5 Occurrences). ... 1 Timothy 3:10 And they must also be well-tried men, and
when found to be of unblemished character then let them serve as deacons. ...
/d/deacons.htm - 7k

Deaconess (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) A female deacon. 2. (n.) One of an order of women whose duties resembled
those of deacons. 3. (n.) A woman set apart for church work by a bishop. ...
/d/deaconess.htm - 12k

Deacon (4 Occurrences)
... in order to permit the Twelve to "continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry
(diakonia) of the word." They are not called deacons (diakonoi), and the ...
/d/deacon.htm - 14k

Bishop (4 Occurrences)
... The earliest ecclesiastical offices instituted in the church were those of elders
and deacons, or rather the reverse, inasmuch the latter office grew almost ...
/b/bishop.htm - 40k

Government (20 Occurrences)
... of special gifts of "healing," "helps," "governments," "tongues." It may be that
"helps" and "governments" are to be identified with "deacons" and "bishops ...
/g/government.htm - 50k

Subapostolic
... Of the former (essential to congregational organization) only bishops and deacons
are mentioned, ie those entrusted with rule and oversight, with their ...
/s/subapostolic.htm - 38k

Sub-apostolic
... Of the former (essential to congregational organization) only bishops and deacons
are mentioned, ie those entrusted with rule and oversight, with their ...
/s/sub-apostolic.htm - 38k

Ministry (44 Occurrences)
... The conception that "the Seven" were a special order of office-bearers,
deacons, is a comparatively late suggestion. These men are ...
/m/ministry.htm - 51k

Church (110 Occurrences)
... And according to the Didache, a true prophet when he visits a church is to take
precedence over the resident bishops and deacons (Didache 10 7; 13 3). See ...
/c/church.htm - 89k

Nicanor (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Conqueror, one of the seven deacons appointed in the
apostolic Church (Acts 6:1-6). Nothing further is known of him. Int. ...
/n/nicanor.htm - 14k

Resources
Can women serve as deacons in the church? | GotQuestions.org

What are the qualifications of elders and deacons? | GotQuestions.org

What are the responsibilities of deacons in the church? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Deacons (5 Occurrences)

Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
(KJV ASV BBE WBS NAS RSV NIV)

1 Timothy 3:8
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
(KJV WEY ASV BBE WBS NAS RSV NIV)

1 Timothy 3:10
And they must also be well-tried men, and when found to be of unblemished character then let them serve as deacons.
(WEY ASV BBE NAS RSV NIV)

1 Timothy 3:12
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
(KJV ASV BBE WBS NAS RSV)

1 Timothy 3:13
For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(ASV BBE NAS RSV)

Subtopics

Deacons

Related Terms

Gaining (17 Occurrences)

Wisely (60 Occurrences)

Rests (25 Occurrences)

Deacons (5 Occurrences)

Acquiring (4 Occurrences)

Honourable (72 Occurrences)

Freedom (45 Occurrences)

Proclaiming (63 Occurrences)

Speech (107 Occurrences)

Filled (336 Occurrences)

Dead (580 Occurrences)

Deaconesses
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