Qualifications for Deacons

We define deacons qualified men and women who are publicly recognized as officers serving in the church.

The first, and maybe the most important, word that deserves attention in that sentence is “qualified.” We don’t just let anyone be a deacon at church. They must be qualified to hold the office.

That means if we are putting a deacon candidate before the church, we need to know if they have a good reputation in the church and in the community. We need to know if they are corrupt in business. We need to know if they are mean and divisive on social media. We need to know if people respect them.

Thankfully, Scripture gives us a hard and fast list of nine character qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-14.

1. Dignified (v. 8): This term normally refers to something that is honorable, respectable, esteemed, or worthy, and is closely related to “respectable,” which is given as a qualification for elders (1 Tim. 3:2).

2. Not double-tongued (v. 8): Those who are double-tongued say one thing to certain people but then say something else to others, or say one thing but mean another. They are two-faced and insincere. Their words cannot be trusted, so they lack credibility.

3. Not addicted to much wine (v. 8): A person is disqualified for the office of deacon if he is addicted to wine or other strong drink. Such a person lacks self-control and is undisciplined.

4. Not greedy for dishonest gain (v. 8): If a person is a lover of money, they are not qualified to be a deacon, especially since deacons often handle financial matters for the church.

5. Sound in faith and life (v. 9): Paul also indicates that a deacon must “hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.” The phrase “the mystery of the faith” is simply one way Paul speaks of the gospel (cf. 1 Tim. 3:16). Consequently, this statement refers to the need for deacons to hold firm to the true gospel without wavering. Yet this qualification does not merely involve one’s beliefs, for he must also hold these beliefs “with a clear conscience.” That is, the behavior of a deacon must be consistent with his beliefs.

6. Blameless (v. 10): Paul writes that deacons must “be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless” (v. 10). “Blameless” is a general term referring to a person’s overall character. Although Paul does not specify what type of testing is to take place, at a minimum, the candidate’s personal background, reputation, and theological positions should be examined. Moreover, the congregation should not only examine a potential deacon’s moral, spiritual, and doctrinal maturity, but should also consider the person’s track record of service in the church.

7. Godly (v. 11): It is debated whether verse 11 refers to a deacon’s wife or to a deaconess. (For our interpretation of this qualification, see this article on men and women as deacons). Women who are deacons must be dignified or respectable. Secondly, they must not be a slanderer or a person who goes around spreading gossip. They must also be be sober-minded or temperate. That is, she must be able to make good judgments and must not be involved in things that might hinder such judgment. Finally, she must be “faithful in all things.” This is a general requirement which functions similarly to the requirement for elders to be “above reproach” (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6).

8. Husband of one wife (v. 12): The best interpretation of this difficult phrase is to understand it as referring to the faithfulness of a husband toward his wife. He must be a “one-woman man.” That is, there must be no other other women in the deacon’s life to whom he relates in an intimate way either emotionally or physically. This is likewise applied to women as deaconesses.

9. Manage children and household well (v. 12): A deacon must spiritually lead their home in the role God has designed as a spouse, parent or grandparent.