Let us begin with the Barclay commentary.
We are reading a portion of it with each lesson in 1
Timothy 3:8-16.
IN CHRISTIAN SERVICE
Many of the qualifications of the deacon are the
same as for the episkopos. They are to be of
dignified character; they are to be abstemious; they
are not to soil their hands with disreputable ways
of making money; they have to undergo a test and a
time of probation; they must practise what they
preach, so that they can hold the Christian faith
with a clear conscience.
One new qualification is added. They are to be
people who are consistent in what they say. The
Greek says that they must not be dilogos – and
dilogos means speaking with two voices, saying one
thing to one and another to another. In The
Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan puts into By-end’s
mouth a description of the people who live in the
town of Fair-speech. There is my Lord Turn-about, my
Lord Time-server, my Lord Fair-speech, after whose
ancestors the town was named, Mr Smooth-man, Mr
Facing-both-ways, Mr Any-thing; and there is the
parson of the parish, Mr Two-tongues. In going from
house to house, and in dealing with those who needed
charity, deacons had to be completely straight.
Again and again, they would be tempted to evade
issues by a little timely hypocrisy and smooth
speaking. But those who would do the work of the
Christian Church must be honest and direct. It is
clear that those who perform the office of deacon
well can look for promotion to the high office of
elder and will gain such a confidence in the faith
that they can look anyone in the face.
~Barclay Commentary
Now to the commentaries...
And let these also first be
proved - That is, tried or tested in regard
to the things which were the proper qualifications
for the office. This does not mean that they were to
be employed as “preachers,” but that they were to
undergo a proper trial in regard to their fitness
for the office which they were to fill. They were
not to be put into it without any opportunity of
knowing what they were. It should be ascertained
that they were grave, serious, temperate,
trustworthy men; men who were sound in the faith,
and who would not dishonor the office. It is not
said here that there should be a “formal” trial, as
if they were candidates for this office; but the
meaning is, that they should have had an opportunity
of making their character known, and should have
gained such respect for their piety, and their other
qualifications, that there would be reason to
believe that they would perform the functions of the
office well. Thus, in Acts 6:3, when deacons were
first appointed, the church was directed to “look
out seven men of honest report,” who might be
appointed to the office. ~
Barnes Notes
Quoted verse:
Acts 6:3
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men
of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom,
whom we may appoint over this business.
Let us look at part of the commentary here...
Of honest report
- Of fair reputation; regarded as men of
integrity. Greek: “testified of,” or “bear
witness to”; that is, whose characters were
well known and fair.
Full of the Holy Ghost
- This evidently does not mean endowed with
miraculous gifts, or the power of speaking
foreign languages, for such gifts were not
necessary to the discharge of their office,
but it means people who were eminently under
the influence of the Holy Spirit, or who
were of distinguished piety. This was all
that was necessary in the case, and this is
all that the words fairly imply.
And wisdom -
Prudence, or skill, to make a wise and
equable distribution. The qualifications of
deacons are still further stated and
illustrated in 1 Timothy 3:8-10. In this
place it is seen that they must be people of
eminent piety and fair character, and that
they must possess “prudence,” or wisdom, to
manage the affairs connected with their
office. These qualifications are
indispensable to a faithful discharge of the
duty entrusted to the officers of the
church. ~ Barnes
Notes |
Continuing in the Barnes Notes commentary on
verse 10...
Then let them use the office
of a deacon - Let them be appointed to this
office, and fulfil its duties.
~ Barnes Notes
Being found blameless -
If nothing can be alleged against their character
see the notes on 1 Timothy 3:2.
~ Barnes Notes
Quoted verse:
1 Timothy 3:2
...see the lesson on this
verse
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one
wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to
hospitality, apt to teach.
Now to the Adam Clarke commentary:
Let these - be proved
- Let them not be young converts, or persons lately
brought to the knowledge of the truth. This is the
same in spirit with what is required of the bishops,
1 Timothy 3:6.
Let no man be put into an office in the
Church till he has given full proof of his sincerity
and steadiness, by having been for a considerable
time a consistent private member of the Church.
~ Adam Clarke
Notice the use of the word, "knowledge" here.
Notice the use of the word, "wisdom" in Acts 6:3
above. In our study of the biblically stated
words, "knowledge", "understanding" and "wisdom" we
have
a process of growth. We have discussed that
"knowledge" is the facts. "Understanding" is
having a grasp of the facts, concepts and principles
coming out of biblical knowledge. "Wisdom" is
action or the application of the concepts and
principles learned from knowledge and
understanding.
Wisdom is the one element of the three that can be
seen. Actions can be seen. This is why
the twelve apostles in Acts 6 are calling for people
of wisdom rather than knowledge and/or
understanding. Know-ledge and understanding can not readily be seen.
Now the meaning we are seeing in this Adam Clarke
commentary on verse 10 is saying we do not want to
choose those only recently being brought to
biblical/spiritual knowledge. We want people
who have progressed from knowledge and understanding
to wisdom. This takes time and therefore we do
not wish to choose deacons or elders from those new
to the faith.
Character...the kind of character we are looking for
here, is born in wisdom rather than just knowledge
and understanding.
Being found blameless -
Being irreproachable; persons against whom no evil
can be proved. The same as in 1 Timothy 3:2, though
a different word is used. See the note on 1 Timothy
3:2. ~ Adam Clarke
The scriptures quoted in the Adam Clarke above are previous lessons we
have had in this chapter.
Let us go now to the John Gill commentary...
And let these also first be
proved - Not that they should be tried in any
part of the deacon's office, to see how capable they
are of performing it; but their internal and
external characters are to be looked into and
examined, and if they appear, to be right, then they
are to be approved of, chosen and called unto, and
invested with the office:
~John Gill
then let them use the office
of a deacon - let them be employed and
minister in the several parts and branches of that
office: ~John Gill
being found blameless -
not without sin, but free from any gross and
enormous one; not before God, but in the sight of
men. ~John Gill
This verse is talking about the basic character of
the man or woman to be ordained deacon and
deaconess. I therefore want to look at what
the Bible has to say about character.
I found one source on the Internet that said,
"Character is defined as strength of moral fiber."
The word "fiber" is defined in my dictionary as,
"something that provides substance or texture. In
Roget's Thesaurus for "fiber" gives "Moral or
ethical strength: character, honesty, integrity and
principle. These are fruits of the spirit. The best
fruit produced in a firstfruit comes from wisdom
rather than just knowledge and/or understanding.
Indeed, spiritual wisdom is the action of producing
the fruit. So "character" is something tangible. It
is something we can see being carried out. It is a
firstfruit invoking the biblical/spiritual knowledge
and understanding he or she has learned. God
immerses the firstfruit in His Word, which is full
of knowledge and understanding and out of this
coupling comes wisdom or a firstfruit invoking the
principle of God. The more a firstfruit invokes
biblical principles the stronger his or her
character is.
Let us look at the example of Daniel:
Daniel 1:8
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not
defile himself with the portion of the king's meat,
nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he
requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might
not defile himself.
What we see in Daniel is his character guiding his
choices. See this proved as a biblical concept in
the first part of Proverbs 11:3
Proverbs 11:3a:
The integrity of the upright shall guide them.
Notice a number of scriptures verifying this truth:
Proverbs 11:5
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his
way: but the wicked shall fall by his own
wickedness.
Proverbs 13:6
Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the
way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
Psalm 25:21
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I
wait on thee.
Psalm 26:1
Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine
integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD;
therefore I shall not slide.
John 7:17
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the
doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak
of myself.
The Upright
The word "character" is not actually found in the
King James. There are a number of words
speaking to the character of a firstfruit however.
One is the word, "upright."
The Webster's dictionary defines "upright" as one
who is honest, just and not deviating from correct
moral principles. Clearly a firstfruit is one who is
invoking these principles.
We go now to some scriptures speaking to the upright
firstfruit.
Does God save the upright in heart?
Psalm 7:10
My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in
heart.
In verse 9 it says, "for the righteous God trieth
the hearts and reins" of the firstfruits. The
meaning here is that God searches our hearts to see
who is sincere, truthful and just. God saves and
protects them. He continues to help and guide them
in the Salvation Process.
Do the wicked in the congregation seek to shoot
down [attack, demonize,
remove from their office or the church]
the upright?
Psalm 11:2
For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready
their arrow upon the string, that they may privily
shoot at the upright in heart.
Do the wicked seek to slay the upright?
Psalm 37:14
The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent
their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to
slay such as be of upright conversation [conduct].
Does God love righteousness and does He love to
behold the upright?
Psalm 11:7
For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his
countenance doth behold the upright.
Do the upright keep themselves from iniquity?
Psalm 18:23
I was also upright before him, and I kept myself
from mine iniquity.
True or false: I am upright because God is
upright? Answer: True.
Psalm 25:8
Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he
teach sinners in the way.
Are the upright glad in the Lord and rejoicing in
Him?
Psalm 32:11
Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and
shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
Do the upright bring light to the darkness? Are
they full of compassion and righteous?
Psalm 112:4
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the
darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion,
and righteous.
The upright take action and do good. Is God
therefore good to the upright?
Psalm 125:4
Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to
them that are upright in their hearts.
Does God give strength to the upright?
Proverbs 10:29
The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but
destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
Notice the commentary on this one:
The way of the Lord is strength - In the path of
obedience the upright man ever finds his strength
renewed; the more he labors the stronger he grows.
The same sentiment as that in Isaiah 40:31 which
says:
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their
strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall
walk, and not faint. ~Adam
Clarke
Does God weigh or judge the path of the upright?
Isaiah 26:7
The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most
upright, dost weigh the path of the just.
Righteous
Another word for character in the Bible is
"righteous" or "righteousness." Notice a couple of
scriptures:
Psalm 37:30
The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his
tongue talketh of judgment.
Notice the commentary on this phrase, "speaketh
wisdom" as it is more than just words, but actions.
The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom
- That
is, It is a characteristic of the righteous to speak
“wise things;” not to utter folly. His conversation
is serious, earnest, true, pure; and his words are
faithful, kind, and just.
This, as a part of
human conduct, is one of the reasons why God will
bless him with prosperity and length of days.
~Barnes Notes
Clearly the forward-moving firstfruit is speaking
and taking action according to the abundance of his
heart (Matthew 12:34).
What can the righteous do with their wisdom
according to Proverbs?
Proverbs 10:21
The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die
for want of wisdom.
Where does the wisdom of the upright or righteous
come from?
Proverbs 2:7
He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a
buckler to them that walk uprightly.
So we see that much is involved for the church and
the elders in the selection of deacons.
All this from our lesson today in 1 Timothy 3:10 |