Bible verses about "deacons" | Worsley

¹ I recommend to you Phebe, our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea:

¹ Now in those days, as the number of disciples increased, there rose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. ² So the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them and said, It is not seemly that we should leave the word of God and attend at tables. ³ Wherefore, brethren, look out from among you seven men of good character, full of the holy Spirit, and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this matter: ⁴ but we will constantly attend to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. ⁵ And the advice pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch. ⁶ These they set before the apostles; who, when they had prayed, laid their hands upon them. ⁷ And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was greatly multiplied; and a great number of the priests became obedient to the faith. ⁸ Now Stephen being full of grace and power, wrought miracles and great signs among the people. ⁹ But there rose up some of the synagogue, which is called that of the libertines, and some of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia, and Asia, to dispute with Stephen: ¹⁰ and they were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spake. ¹¹ Then they suborned men to say, we heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God. ¹² And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, and forced him along with them, and brought him to the council: ¹³ and they set up false witnesses; who said, This man is continually speaking blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law. ¹⁴ For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and change the rites which Moses delivered to us. ¹⁵ (And all that were sitting in the council, looking stedfastly at him, saw his face like the face of an angel.)

²⁸ Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the holy Spirit hath appointed you bishops, to feed the church of God, which He purchased with his own blood.

¹ It is certain, if any one is desirous of the episcopal office, he desireth a good work. ² A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, sober, prudent, grave, ³ hospitable, able to teach, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of sordid gain, moderate, not quarrelsome, ⁴ not covetous, governing his own family well, having his children in subjection with all gravity; ⁵ (for if any one know not how to govern his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) ⁶ not one newly converted, least being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷ He ought also to have an honorable testimony from those that are without, least he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. ⁸ The deacons should likewise be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of base gain, ⁹ holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. ¹⁰ (And let these also first be proved, then let them take the office of deacons, if they be found blameless.) ¹¹ And their wives likewise grave, not slanderers, sober, and faithful in all things. ¹² Let the deacons too be husbands of one wife only, governing their children and their own houses well. ¹³ For they, that discharge the office of a deacon well, gain to themselves a good degree of honor, and much freedom in promoting the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

⁸ The deacons should likewise be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of base gain,

⁶ to wit, if any one be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of debauchery, or unruly. ⁷ For a bishop must be blameless as the steward of God, not self-willed, not passionate, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of sordid gain: ⁸ but hospitable, benevolent, sober, just, holy, temperate; ⁹ holding fast the faithful word, according as he hath been taught, that he may be able both to instruct in sound doctrine, and to convince gainsayers.

² A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, sober, prudent, grave,

²⁶ If any man would serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: and if any one serve me, him will my Father honour.

¹ It is certain, if any one is desirous of the episcopal office, he desireth a good work. ² A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, sober, prudent, grave, ³ hospitable, able to teach, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of sordid gain, moderate, not quarrelsome, ⁴ not covetous, governing his own family well, having his children in subjection with all gravity; ⁵ (for if any one know not how to govern his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) ⁶ not one newly converted, least being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷ He ought also to have an honorable testimony from those that are without, least he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. ⁸ The deacons should likewise be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of base gain, ⁹ holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. ¹⁰ (And let these also first be proved, then let them take the office of deacons, if they be found blameless.) ¹¹ And their wives likewise grave, not slanderers, sober, and faithful in all things. ¹² Let the deacons too be husbands of one wife only, governing their children and their own houses well. ¹³ For they, that discharge the office of a deacon well, gain to themselves a good degree of honor, and much freedom in promoting the faith that is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ These things I write unto thee, hoping to come to thee shortly. ¹⁵ But if I should be retarded, that thou mayst know how thou oughtest to behave in the house of God, the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. ¹⁶ And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory.

¹ Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus, which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

¹¹ And their wives likewise grave, not slanderers, sober, and faithful in all things. ¹² Let the deacons too be husbands of one wife only, governing their children and their own houses well.

¹ Now in those days, as the number of disciples increased, there rose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. ² So the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them and said, It is not seemly that we should leave the word of God and attend at tables. ³ Wherefore, brethren, look out from among you seven men of good character, full of the holy Spirit, and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this matter: ⁴ but we will constantly attend to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. ⁵ And the advice pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch. ⁶ These they set before the apostles; who, when they had prayed, laid their hands upon them.

⁸ The deacons should likewise be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of base gain, ⁹ holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. ¹⁰ (And let these also first be proved, then let them take the office of deacons, if they be found blameless.) ¹¹ And their wives likewise grave, not slanderers, sober, and faithful in all things. ¹² Let the deacons too be husbands of one wife only, governing their children and their own houses well. ¹³ For they, that discharge the office of a deacon well, gain to themselves a good degree of honor, and much freedom in promoting the faith that is in Christ Jesus.