QT 9 Jun 16, 1 Tim 3:8-10, Deacons, unseen but extremely important

1 Tim 3:8-10 (ESV) Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.

NOTE: The list for Deacons is less focused on the spiritual aspect and more focused on the life aspect. They too, like overseers, should be viewed well by others, dignified. The must be respectable and truthful, seen in the requirement to not be double-tongued. It is okay to drink, but not to be addicted to wine. It is okay to accumulate money, but not greedily nor engaging in dishonest practices. They must truly hold to the truths of the faith with honest faith. This is not to say there may not be doubt, which is wholly common, but they believe there doubts revolve around things that they may not understand. They have to be tested, so they cannot be new believers to the faith. And finally, verse 10 says to "let them serve as deacons," in other words, a deacon is not a calling, nor does it require gifts of teaching or pastoring as an elder requires. A deacon is a person who desires to serve God in the body in a specific role. It is supremely important to the functioning of the church, as seen in Acts, for it allows the overseers or elders to focus on the spiritual needs of the body. Deacons are one of the unseen components of the body that the body could not function without, else the eyes or mouth would have to do the walking as well--not a pretty picture.