1 Timothy 3:8-13 - Deacons

3:8-10

Being a deacon was a recognised office in the early church, with the emphasis more on serving, less on teaching. There is also evidence that women served as deacons. The qualities required are very similar to those required of an overseer or elder. There is no requirement to be able to teach, though doing that is not necessarily excluded. However, there is a requirement for them t hold to the “deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience”, ie they must understand and believe the gospel, and not just at a surface level. They were also to be tested, they had to prove their worthiness.

3:11-13

Verse 11 may refer to women, or to female deacons.  Whatever the case, they are not to be malicious talkers, eg not spreaders of unworthy gossip. They are to be temperate and trustworthy in everything.

The details of verse 12 are a little different from the requirements for an overseer, but in essence they are exactly the same. Managing our households is again seen as important. When we do serve well we gain a good reputation. It also increases our assurance in our faith. This does not mean that we somehow earn assurance. Rather, the more we put our faith into practice, the more we learn of the faithfulness of Christ, and the more we come to understand what the gospel is about. We increase our understanding by studying and by doing.