Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

DEACON

An office in early Church ministry. It is not clear when Gk. diákonos as used in early Christian circles passed from the generic meaning “servant” or “minister” to the specific meaning “deacon.” The literal former meaning is obvious in the Gospels (Matt. 20:26; 22:13; 23:11; Mark 9:35; 10:43; for “waiters at table,” cf. John 2:5, 9; Acts 6:2). Paul uses the word metaphorically in various ways to describe himself or other Christians: servant or minister (1 Cor. 3:5; Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7); servant of the gospel (Eph. 3:7; Col. 1:23); servant of the church (Col. 1:25); servant of the new covenant (2 Cor. 3:6); servant of God (6:4); servant of Christ (11:23; Col. 1:7; cf. John 12:26; 1 Tim. 4:6); and servant of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:15). Paul also refers to Christ as a servant (Rom. 15:8; cf. Gal. 2:17) and describes the governmental authorities as servants of God (Rom. 13:4).

The meaning “deacon” seems probable in Phil. 1:1, where Paul addressed diákonoi along with bishops. By the time of the Pastoral Epistles, congregations received counsel on the types of person suited for the office of deacon (1 Tim. 3:8-13). The characteristics included exemplary personal, domestic, and organizational traits.

It is generally felt that the origin of the office of deacon stems from the appointment and ordination by the Twelve of seven men to administer the daily food allotment (diakonía) to the Hellenistic Christian widows (Acts 6:1-6, although diákonos does not appear). The apostles declared that they could not be diverted from proclaiming the Word to waiting (diakonéō) on tables. The seven, who did much more than distribute food, pioneered the proclamation of the gospel among Hellenistic Jews and Gentiles (e.g., Acts 6:8-9; 8:26-38).

See Deaconess.

Warren C. Trenchard