What does the Bible say about deacons?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• 1 Timothy 3:8-13

  [8] Deacons, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money; [9] holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. [10] Let them also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, if they are blameless. [11] Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. [12] Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. [13] For those who have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

• Acts 6:1-6

  [1] Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily service. [2] The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. [3] Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. [4] But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word." [5] These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch; [6] whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

• 1 Timothy 3:12

  Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

• 1 Timothy 3:1-16

  [1] This is a faithful saying: if a man seeks the office of an overseer, he desires a good work. [2] The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; [3] not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; [4] one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence; [5] (but if a man doesn't know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the assembly of God?) [6] not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. [7] Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil. [8] Deacons, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money; [9] holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. [10] Let them also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, if they are blameless. [11] Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. [12] Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. [13] For those who have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. [14] These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly; [15] but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. [16] Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, And received up in glory.

• John 12:26

  If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there will my servant also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

• Philippians 1:1

  Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

• 1 Timothy 3:11

  Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.

• 1 Timothy 3:1-13

  [1] This is a faithful saying: if a man seeks the office of an overseer, he desires a good work. [2] The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; [3] not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; [4] one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence; [5] (but if a man doesn't know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the assembly of God?) [6] not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. [7] Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil. [8] Deacons, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money; [9] holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. [10] Let them also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, if they are blameless. [11] Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. [12] Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. [13] For those who have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

• Acts 6:1-15

  [1] Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily service. [2] The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. [3] Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. [4] But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word." [5] These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch; [6] whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. [7] The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. [8] Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. [9] But some of those who were of the synagogue called "The Libertines," and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen. [10] They weren't able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. [11] Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." [12] They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, and brought him in to the council, [13] and set up false witnesses who said, "This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. [14] For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us." [15] All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.

• Acts 20:28

  Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood.

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