The apostle Paul concluded his list of qualifications of deacons and deaconesses in 1 Timothy 3:11-13, which states: “Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
The King James Version’s translation of verse 11 is
problematic in two areas. First, the words “must their” do
not appear in the Greek manuscript, which is why they are
printed in italic in the KJV. In the absence of the word “their,”
the word “wives” is not in the possessive case; therefore,
they are not the wives of the deacons previously spoken of
in verses 8-10. The second area is that the word “wives” can also be translated as “women.”1
Based upon these observations,
a better translation that is consistent with the context
would read, “Even so, the women, be grave, not slanderers,
sober, faithful in all things.” The word “women” is now referring
to the female counterparts of the deacons—the deaconesses.
Paul’s instructions to the men deacons also applied
to the women deaconesses. He told both to be grave, not
double-tongued or slanderers, sober and not addicted to
wine, and faithful. It is important that today’s deacons and
deaconesses meet these qualifications.
The last qualification the apostle Paul gave is, “Let the
deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children
and their own houses well.” This does not mean that deacons
have to be married and have children. But, if they are
married, they are to have only one wife at a time; and, if they have children, they are to train them to behave. Ed Glasscock
suggests that Paul was probably more concerned about a
man’s character than his marital status. He states,
“The translation ‘husband of one wife’ is not the best understanding
of the Greek phrase . . . it should be translated ‘a
man of one woman’ or ‘a one-woman man.’ This understanding
emphasizes the character of the man rather than his marital
status. Thus, even a single man or a man who has been
married only once must demonstrate that he is not a ‘playboy’
or flirtatious, but that he is stable and mature in character
toward his wife or other females. A man who demonstrates
a character of loyalty and trustworthiness in such personal
relationships is qualified in this area. He, being a one-woman
type man, can be placed in this high position and trusted to
deal in maturity and with discretion in a situation involving female
members. This view shifts the emphasis away from an
event that took place in a man’s life before his conversion and
properly concentrates on the character and quality of his life at
the time of his consideration for this high office.”2
The implication of this qualification for the deacons and
deaconesses of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is that
they are to set a godly example in their homes, be faithful
to their spouse if they are married, not be flirtatious with the
opposite sex, and train their children to be obedient.
Ellen G. White also stressed the importance of the family
of church officers: “The family of the one suggested for office should be considered. Are they in subjection? Can the
man rule his own house with honor? What character have
his children? Will they do honor to the father’s influence?
If he has no tact, wisdom, or power of godliness at home
in managing his own family, it is safe to conclude that the
same defects will be carried into the church, and the same
unsanctified management will be seen there.”3
Although it was the hasty election of elders that prompted
this admonition from Ellen White, it also applies to the
election of deacons and deaconesses. It becomes less of a
challenge for deacons and deaconesses to teach others to
obey God’s Word and the standards of the church when they
and their families are teaching by example.
1 Harold K. Moulton, ed., The Analytical Greek Lexicon, rev. ed., (1978), s.v. “γυναΐκας.”
2 Ed Glasscock, “‘The Husband of One Wife’ Requirement in 1 Timothy 3:2,” in Bibliotheca Sacra 140 (July-September 1983): 249.
3
Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, 5:618.
Vincent E. White, Sr., D.Min., is a retired pastor and author of The
Twenty-First Century Deacon and Deaconess: Reflecting the Biblical
Model; The Twenty-First Century Deacon and Deaconess: Reflecting
the Biblical Model Workbook; and Problem Solvers and
Soul Winners: A Handbook for Deacons and Deaconesses.
