Bible verses about "deacons" | AUV

¹ Now during the days when the disciples were multiplying in number [in Jerusalem. See verse 7], some Greek-[speaking] Jews began to complain to the Hebrews that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution [of food]. ² So, the twelve apostles called the whole group of disciples together and said to them, "It is not right that we should neglect preaching the word of God in order to serve meals [to people]. ³ Brothers, select from among you seven men with good reputations, who are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to take care of this matter. ⁴ But we will continue earnestly in prayer and the preaching of God's word." ⁵ This arrangement pleased the whole group, so they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolaus, a proselyte [i.e., convert to the Jewish religion] from Antioch. ⁶ [Then] they presented these men to the apostles, who prayed for them while placing their hands on them [to signify their appointment]. ⁷ So, the message of God increased [in its influence] and the disciples multiplied in number greatly in Jerusalem, [so that even] a large number of [Jewish] priests became obedient to [the message of] the faith. ⁸ And Stephen [i.e., one of the seven men chosen to minister to widows, verse 5], who was full of [God's] favor and power, performed great wonders and [miraculous] signs in front of the [Jewish] people. ⁹ But several men from the synagogue, made up of freed slaves from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia and Asia, began arguing with Stephen. ¹⁰ But they could not stand up to the wisdom and [power of] the Holy Spirit by which Stephen spoke. ¹¹ Then they enlisted men to say [i.e., to testify falsely against Stephen, verse 13], "We heard him criticizing Moses and [even] God." ¹² And they stirred up the people, the elders and the teachers of the law of Moses and searched for him, seized him and brought him before the Council. ¹³ They had arranged for the false witnesses to say, "This man will not stop speaking against the Temple and the law of Moses, ¹⁴ for we [ourselves] heard him saying that this Jesus from Nazareth would destroy the Temple and change the customs handed down to us by Moses." ¹⁵ Then, as all the Council members stared at Stephen, his face appeared to them like an angel's.

¹ I recommend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church at Cenchrea. [Note: This was a seaport town about seven miles east of Corinth].

²⁸ So, pay close attention to your [own] lives, and to all [members] of the flock [i.e., the congregation] of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers [i.e., elders, shepherds or pastors]. Provide [spiritual] food for the church of the Lord which He purchased by [shedding] His own blood.

¹ This is a trustworthy saying: If any man eagerly desires to be an overseer [i.e., an elder], he desires a noble task. ² Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of [only] one wife, sober-minded [Note: When this word, used here figuratively, is used in its literal sense, it means to abstain from intoxicating drinks], sensible, respectable, hospitable, capable of teaching. ³ [He must] not be a drunkard or a fighter, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not wanting to get money by questionable [or, dishonest] means. ⁴ [He must] manage his own family well and, with dignity, keep his children in subjection [or, “respectful”]. ⁵ For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how will he be able to take care of the church of God? ⁶ [He must] not be a new convert or else he could become conceited [i.e., over being in a leadership position] and fall into the [same] condemnation incurred by the devil. ⁷ He must also have a good reputation among outsiders [i.e., non-Christians], or else he could fall into reproach [i.e., from worldly people] and [therefore] into the devil’s trap. ⁸ Similarly, deacons should be serious-minded [i.e., dignified], not saying one thing while meaning another, not drinking a lot of wine [Note: The wine of Paul’s day was used as a common drink, and was either non-intoxicating or far less intoxicating than wine today], not wanting to get money by questionable [or, dishonest] means. ⁹ They should keep holding on to the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ And these [prospective deacons] should also first be tested, [and] then they should [be appointed to] serve [as deacons] if they are found to be above reproach. ¹¹ Women [i.e., probably the deacons’ wives], in the same way, should be serious-minded [i.e., dignified], not gossips, [but] sober-minded [see verse 2] and trustworthy in everything. ¹² Deacons should be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own family affairs well. ¹³ For those who have served well [as deacons] acquire for themselves a good standing [i.e., they are respected in the church], and the ability to speak boldly [or, to act confidently] in the faith that is in Christ Jesus [i.e., in the Christian faith].

⁸ Similarly, deacons should be serious-minded [i.e., dignified], not saying one thing while meaning another, not drinking a lot of wine [Note: The wine of Paul’s day was used as a common drink, and was either non-intoxicating or far less intoxicating than wine today], not wanting to get money by questionable [or, dishonest] means.

⁶ [An elder must] not be guilty of just blame, [he must be] the husband of one wife, whose children are believers [Note: The word for “believers” may also be translated “faithful ones” or “trustworthy ones”], who have a reputation for not being wild or disobedient. ⁷ As God’s manager [of the church], an overseer must be free from just blame, not a drunkard, not a fighter [and] not in love with money. ⁸ [He must be] hospitable, someone who loves what is good, sensible, upright, devout and self-controlled. ⁹ [He must] hold on firmly to the trustworthy message, which is according to [our] teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort people with sound teaching and to convince those who contradict it.

² Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of [only] one wife, sober-minded [Note: When this word, used here figuratively, is used in its literal sense, it means to abstain from intoxicating drinks], sensible, respectable, hospitable, capable of teaching.

²⁶ If any person wants to serve me, he should become my follower; and wherever I am, my servant will be there also. If any person serves me, the Father will honor him.

¹ [This letter is from] Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, [and is being sent] to all the saints [i.e., God’s holy people] who are at Philippi [Note: This is a town in present-day northeastern Greece, and the first place in Europe where Paul established Christianity], along with the overseers [Note: These men were also called elders, shepherds or pastors] and deacons.

¹ This is a trustworthy saying: If any man eagerly desires to be an overseer [i.e., an elder], he desires a noble task. ² Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of [only] one wife, sober-minded [Note: When this word, used here figuratively, is used in its literal sense, it means to abstain from intoxicating drinks], sensible, respectable, hospitable, capable of teaching. ³ [He must] not be a drunkard or a fighter, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not wanting to get money by questionable [or, dishonest] means. ⁴ [He must] manage his own family well and, with dignity, keep his children in subjection [or, “respectful”]. ⁵ For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how will he be able to take care of the church of God? ⁶ [He must] not be a new convert or else he could become conceited [i.e., over being in a leadership position] and fall into the [same] condemnation incurred by the devil. ⁷ He must also have a good reputation among outsiders [i.e., non-Christians], or else he could fall into reproach [i.e., from worldly people] and [therefore] into the devil’s trap. ⁸ Similarly, deacons should be serious-minded [i.e., dignified], not saying one thing while meaning another, not drinking a lot of wine [Note: The wine of Paul’s day was used as a common drink, and was either non-intoxicating or far less intoxicating than wine today], not wanting to get money by questionable [or, dishonest] means. ⁹ They should keep holding on to the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ And these [prospective deacons] should also first be tested, [and] then they should [be appointed to] serve [as deacons] if they are found to be above reproach. ¹¹ Women [i.e., probably the deacons’ wives], in the same way, should be serious-minded [i.e., dignified], not gossips, [but] sober-minded [see verse 2] and trustworthy in everything. ¹² Deacons should be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own family affairs well. ¹³ For those who have served well [as deacons] acquire for themselves a good standing [i.e., they are respected in the church], and the ability to speak boldly [or, to act confidently] in the faith that is in Christ Jesus [i.e., in the Christian faith]. ¹⁴ Although I hope to visit you soon, I am writing these things [in this letter] ¹⁵ so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to behave themselves in God’s family, which is the church of the living God, the [supporting] column and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ And without question the revealed secret of godly living is great. [It is this]: He [i.e., Christ, or God], who appeared in a fleshly body [was] vindicated [of false charges] by the Holy Spirit; [He was] seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed in throughout the world [and finally] was taken up into glory [i.e., heaven].

¹¹ Women [i.e., probably the deacons’ wives], in the same way, should be serious-minded [i.e., dignified], not gossips, [but] sober-minded [see verse 2] and trustworthy in everything. ¹² Deacons should be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own family affairs well.

¹ Now during the days when the disciples were multiplying in number [in Jerusalem. See verse 7], some Greek-[speaking] Jews began to complain to the Hebrews that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution [of food]. ² So, the twelve apostles called the whole group of disciples together and said to them, "It is not right that we should neglect preaching the word of God in order to serve meals [to people]. ³ Brothers, select from among you seven men with good reputations, who are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to take care of this matter. ⁴ But we will continue earnestly in prayer and the preaching of God's word." ⁵ This arrangement pleased the whole group, so they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolaus, a proselyte [i.e., convert to the Jewish religion] from Antioch. ⁶ [Then] they presented these men to the apostles, who prayed for them while placing their hands on them [to signify their appointment].

⁸ Similarly, deacons should be serious-minded [i.e., dignified], not saying one thing while meaning another, not drinking a lot of wine [Note: The wine of Paul’s day was used as a common drink, and was either non-intoxicating or far less intoxicating than wine today], not wanting to get money by questionable [or, dishonest] means. ⁹ They should keep holding on to the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ And these [prospective deacons] should also first be tested, [and] then they should [be appointed to] serve [as deacons] if they are found to be above reproach. ¹¹ Women [i.e., probably the deacons’ wives], in the same way, should be serious-minded [i.e., dignified], not gossips, [but] sober-minded [see verse 2] and trustworthy in everything. ¹² Deacons should be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own family affairs well. ¹³ For those who have served well [as deacons] acquire for themselves a good standing [i.e., they are respected in the church], and the ability to speak boldly [or, to act confidently] in the faith that is in Christ Jesus [i.e., in the Christian faith].