Careful examination of the biblical qualifications for deacons yields valuable insight about men being considered
for ordination as well as deacons being reactivated for service. Let’s consider each qualification individually.
A Deacon Must Be a Man Who’s Evaluated, Observed and Approved
1 Tim. 3:9
NKJV - But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons...
AMP - And let them also be tried and investigated and proved first...
GWT - First, a person must be evaluated. Then, if he has a good reputation, he may become a deacon.
MSNT - And they must also be well-tried men, and when found to be of unblemished character then let
them serve as deacons.
NLT - Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test,
then let them serve as deacons.
MSG - Let them prove themselves first. If they show they can do it, take them on.
Living Bible - Before they are asked to be deacons, they should be given other jobs in the church
as a test of their character and ability, and if they do well, then they may be chosen as
deacons.
.
From Bible Teacher Warren Wiersbe:
This implies watching their lives and
seeing how they conduct themselves. In most
churches, a new member or a new Christian may
begin serving God in visitation, ushering, helping
in Sunday School, and numerous other ways.
This is the principle in Matthew 25:21: “Thou hast
been faithful over a few things; I will make thee
ruler over many things.”
It is worth noting that quite a few leaders
mentioned in the Bible were first tested as
servants. Joseph was a servant in Egypt for
thirteen years before he became a second ruler in
the land. Moses cared for sheep for forty years
before God called him. Joshua was Moses’
servant before he became Moses’ successor.
David was tending his father’s sheep when
Samuel anointed him king of Israel. Even our
Lord Jesus came as a servant and labored as a
carpenter; and the Apostle Paul was a tentmaker.
First a servant, then a ruler.
It always weakens the testimony of a local
church when a member who has not been proved
is made an officer of the church. “Maybe Jim will
attend church more if we make him a deacon,” is
a statement that shows ignorance both of Jim and
of the Word of God. An untested Christian is an
unprepared Christian. He will probably do more
harm than good if you give him an office in the
church.
From Greek Scholar Marvin Vincent:
FROM DR. JOHNNY HUNT:
Not implying a formal examination, but a
reference to the general judgment of the Christian
community as to whether they fulfil the conditions
detailed in v. 8. Comp. 1 Tim 5:22; 2 Tim 2:2.
A man is not ordained as a deacon in
order to ACQUIRE these qualifications. He is
ordained because he already HAS them. A
prospective deacon should be put to the test
before he is given the trust to be a deacon.
From Bible Teacher John Macarthur:
Just what does it mean to be put to the
test anyway? To be “tested” means that his walk
is to be examined for evidence of faithfulness to
the responsibilities he has been assigned. Jesus
expressed this principle in Matthew 25:21: “...you
were faithful over a few things, I will make you
ruler over many things...” No man should be
elected to the office of deacon if he has
established a pattern of unfaithfulness in areas
such as church attendance, tithing, sharing his
faith, prayer and Bible study. Instead, he should
be PROVEN in all of these areas.
Dokimazō (let [them] be tested) means
“to approve after testing.” The present tense of
the verb indicates an ongoing test, not a onetime
test, or probationary period. Deacons are to be
continually tested before they officially serve as
deacons. The test in view here is the general
assessment of a believer’s service by the church.
Once they become officially recognized as
deacons, this evaluation goes on.
From Greek Scholar Kenneth Wuest:
(3:10) The words, “these also,” imply
clearly that the bishops must be proved before
being appointed, as well as the deacons. The
word “proved” is dokimazō (δοκιµαζω), “to be put
to the test for the purpose of approving, and
having met the test, to be approved.”
The test and approval here do not refer to
a formal examination, but have reference to the
general judgment of the Christian community as
to whether they fulfill the specifications set down
in verse 8. The word “blameless” is anegklētoi
(ἀνεγκλητοι), “unaccused.” It is a judicial term.
The participle ontes (ὀντες) is a conditional one,
“provided they are unaccused.”
Translation. “And these moreover are to be
first put to the test and then approved if they
meet the specifications; then let them serve
as deacons, provided they are unaccused.”
“Ministry of Baptist Deacons”
by Robert Sheffield
The deacon should be a person whose
spiritual maturity has been proved. To put it
another way, IF THE DEACON WAS NOT A
DEACON BEFORE BEING CHOSEN A
DEACON, HE PROBABLY SHOULD NOT BE
ELECTED A DEACON. We don’t choose persons
to be deacons in hopes that our choice will make
them better people. But we choose people as
deacons whose lives exhibit the qualities wanted
in good deacons.
The quality of spiritual maturity speaks of
the deacon’s demonstrated commitment to
ministry. The deacon must be a faithful supporter
of the church’s programs and ministries. If the
deacon is a spiritually mature person, he already
will have demonstrated the ability to love the
church’s pastor, staff, and members. (p. 39-40)