Deacon

How Nave’s arranged it

• (Servant, waiter)
• (One charged with the temporal affairs of the local congregation)
• Selected by the peopleActs 6:1–6
• Characteristics of1 Timothy 3:8–13
• The Greek word (diakonos) translated "deacon" means servant, and is so translated inMatthew 23:11John 12:26
• Also translated "minister,"Mark 10:431 Corinthians 3:51 Thessalonians 3:2

The passages, in Bible order (7)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 7 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Matthew 23:11

   The greatest among you shall be your servant.

   ›Commentary on Matthew 23:112 voices

   “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant--This plainly means, ‘shall show that he is so by becoming your servant’; as in Mt 20:27, compared with Mr 10:44.”

   “Since those who have arrived teaching new beliefs for the most part do so from conceit and arrogance, I will say something concerning the value of the teaching. The Lord cuts short this opinion and way as leading to destruction. He says, ‘You love glory and the places of first importance.’ Meanwhile he desires the servant's role and cultivates humility.”

   Everything gathered on Matthew 23:11→

   Verse page →Original language →

2. Mark 10:43

   But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

   ›Commentary on Mark 10:432 voices

   “(ubi sup.) In which He teaches, that he is the greater, who is the less, and that he becomes the lord, who is servant of all: vain, therefore, was it both for the one party to seek for immoderate things, and the other to be annoyed at their desiring greater things, since we are to arrive at the height of virtue not by power but by humility.”

   “But so shall it not be among you,.... Or ‘so let it not be’, as in many copies; or as the Persic version renders it, ‘it ought not to be so among you’; such a lordly spirit does not become you; this is heathenish: but whosoever will be great among you shall be, as in Matthew ‘let him’, Mat 20:26, be your minister.”

   Everything gathered on Mark 10:43→

   Verse page →Original language →

3. John 12:26

   If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

   ›Commentary on John 12:262 voices

   “If any man serve Me, let him follow Me. What He says is something of this kind: If I, He says, for the sake of benefitting you am exposing Myself to death, is it not indeed cowardly on your part to shrink from despising your transient life for the sake of enjoying your private advantages, and from obtaining life imperishable by means of the death of the body? For they seem to be hating their own life, with regard to the endurance of suffering, who expose it to death, and keep it for everlasting blessings.”

   “If any man serve me - Christ is a master in a twofold sense: 1. To instruct men. 2. To employ and appoint them their work. He who wishes to serve Christ must become: 1. His disciple or scholar, that he may be taught: 2. His servant, that he may be employed by and obey his master. To such a person a twofold promise is given: 1. He shall be with Christ, in eternal fellowship with him; and”

   Everything gathered on John 12:26→

   Verse page →Original language →

4. Acts 6:1–6

   In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

   ›Commentary on Acts 6:1–62 voices

   “In those days ... - The first part of this chapter contains an account of the appointment of ‘deacons.’ It may be asked, perhaps, why the apostles did not appoint these officers at the first organization of the church? To this, question we may reply, that it was better to defer the appointment until an occasion should occur when it would appear to be manifestly necessary and proper.”

   “They were so called, because they used the Greek as their other tongue. In this partiality of the Hebrews, and murmuring of the Hellenists, were the needs of a general persecution sown. Did God ever, in any age or country, withdraw his restraining providence, and let loose the world upon the Christians, till there was a cause among themselves?”

   Everything gathered on Acts 6:1–6→

   Verse page →Original language →

5. 1 Corinthians 3:5

   What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role.

   ›Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:51 voice

   “Who then is Paul ... - See the notes at 1Co 1:13. Why should a party be formed which should be named after Paul? What has he done or taught that should lead to this? What eminence has he that should induce any to call themselves by his name? He is on a level with the other apostles; and all are but ministers, or servants, and have no claim to the honor of giving names to sects and parties.”

   Everything gathered on 1 Corinthians 3:5→

   Verse page →Original language →

6. 1 Thessalonians 3:2

   We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,

   ›Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 3:22 voices

   “Since the Thessalonians were troubled by the fact that their teacher was subjected to trials, they had need of strengthening and consolation, so as not to fall away from the faith. For the trials of a teacher cause no small disturbance to the disciples, just …”

   “Timotheus, our brother - It appears that Timothy was but a youth when converted to God; he had now however been some years in the work of God; Paul therefore calls him his brother, being one of the same Christian family, a son of God by adoption: elsewhere he calls him his own son, 1Ti 1:2; and his dearly beloved son, 2Ti 1:2; because he was brought to the knowledge of the true God, and to salvation by Christ, through the apostle’s instrumentality. See the preface to the First Epistle to Timothy.”

   Everything gathered on 1 Thessalonians 3:2→

   Verse page →Original language →

7. 1 Timothy 3:8–13

   Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.

   ›Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:8–132 voices

   “Likewise must the deacons - The term deacon, διακονος, simply signifies a regular or stated servant: from δια, through or emphatic, and κονεω, to minister or serve. See it explained in the note on Mat 20:26. As nearly the same qualifications were required in the deacons as in the bishops, the reader may consult what is said on the preceding verses. Grave - Of a sedate and dignified carriage and conduct. Not double-tongued - Speaking one thing to one person, and another thing to another, on the same subject. This is hypocrisy and deceit.”

   “Not desirous of filthy gain - With what abhorrence does he everywhere speak of this! All that is gained (above food and raiment) by ministering in holy things is filthy gain indeed; far more filthy than what is honestly gained by raking kennels, or emptying common sewers.”

   Everything gathered on 1 Timothy 3:8–13→

   Verse page →Original language →