Bible verses about "deacons" | JMNT

¹ Now in these days, during a progressive multiplying (= increasing the number) of the disciples (students; learners; apprentices), a discontented muttering of grumbling and complaints occurred (was birthed) from the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews, and/or, folks of the Hellenistic culture) aimed toward the Hebrews (the Hebrew-speaking folks, and/or folks living in accord with the Jewish culture) because their widows kept on being overlooked (= neglected and disregarded) in the daily attending service of dispensing hospitality and serving meals. ² So the twelve, after summoning the full multitude of the disciples (students) to themselves, said to them, "It is not acceptable (satisfactory; approvable) [for] us to be constantly serving [food] at tables (also: = supervising the distribution of supplies), thus neglecting (or: completely abandoning; leaving down) the Word of God (or: the Word which is God; the Word coming from God)! ³ "Thus, brothers (= fellow believers and member of the community), look about carefully upon and inspect so as to select from your [ranks] seven adult men [who are] constantly being attested and certified by witnesses [to be] full of Breath-effect (or: [the] Spirit; Attitude) and of wisdom, whom we will proceed situating (setting or placing down) upon this need. ⁴ "Yet we ourselves will continue enduring strongly focused on and loyally persist in the thought, speaking and action aimed at having goodness, ease and well-being (or: with prayer) and the attending service of the Word (and: the dispensing pertaining to the Idea and from the Message which originates in the Logos)." ⁵ And the idea (word; thought) brought satisfaction in the eyes (in the sight; = in the judgment and view) of all the full multitude, and so they selected (picked out; chose) Stephen, an adult man full of trust (and: faith; or: trustworthiness) and set-apart Breath-effect (or: Holy Spirit; or: a consecrated attitude), as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nikanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch, ⁶ whom they made stand before the sent-forth folks. Then, while envisioning goodness and speaking well-being (or: praying), they placed [their] hands on them. ⁷ And so the Word of God (or: God's thought, idea, message and Logos) kept on progressively growing and increasing (also: = God's Reason was spreading out like a growing Vine), and thus the number of disciples (students; learners; apprentices) continued tremendously multiplying (= increasing in number) within Jerusalem. Furthermore, a vast throng of the priests [note: these would have been Sadducees] kept on submissively listening to and hearing (thus: paying attention to and obeying) the Faith [note: noun with the article, thus this would signify trust and belief in the resurrected Jesus as the Christ – the message of faith that was then being proclaimed]. ⁸ Now Stephen, full of grace and power (and: favor and ability), repeatedly performed great miracles and signs among the people. ⁹ Yet certain men rose up – from the [members] of the synagogue being normally termed "Freedmen" (or: Libertines; Jews who had been enslaved in the Syrian wars but were later freed), also [composed] of Cyrenians, Alexandrians and people from Cilicia, as well as [the province] of Asia – repeatedly arguing and debating (or: inquiring and discussing together) with Stephen, ¹⁰ and yet they were not continuing strong [enough] to withstand (= hold their own position against) the wisdom and the spirit in which (or: with which; or: the Breath-effect or Spirit by which) he continued speaking. ¹¹ At that point they underhandedly and secretly induced men to be saying, one after another, "We have heard him repeatedly speaking blasphemous (or: slanderous; defaming; harmful; abusive; light-hindering; villainous) gush-effects (or: declarations) unto Moses and God (or: directed into [the Law with its religion and culture, which is represented by] Moses, and [into] God)." ¹² And so they stirred up (agitated; moved and shook together like an earthquake) the people – as well as the elders and the scholars (scribes; theologians of the Law) – and so, having been standing near upon [him], they, as a group, suddenly took him by force (gripped, seized and snatched him) then led [him] unto the Sanhedrin (High Council). ¹³ Here they set up (or: put on the stand) false witnesses, one after another saying, "This man is not ceasing from continually speaking gush-effects (or: declarations) down against this set-apart (or: holy; sacred) place and the Law. ¹⁴ "For instance, we have heard him repeatedly saying that Jesus the Nazarene will destroy (demolish; dismantle) this place and he will change the customs which Moses handed down to (and: for) us." ¹⁵ Then, staring intently at him (or: into [Stephen]), all the men presently sitting in the Sanhedrin (High Council) saw his face (and: countenance) as if [it were the] face of an "agent" (or: countenance and presence of [God's] messenger).

²⁸ "Continue holding focused toward and taking attentive care – to and for yourselves, as well as for all the little flock among whom the Set-apart Breath-effect Itself (or: the Holy Spirit Himself) set you folks [as] ones who look around over people for their welfare and oversee situations – to be continuously (or: habitually) acting as shepherds of God's [other MSS: {the} Lord's {= Christ's or Yahweh's}] called-out community which He built as a surrounding for Himself (or: made to encompass Himself), through (or: by means of) His own blood.

¹ Now for (or: with) you folks I continue standing together with Phoebe, our sister (or: Now I am placing Phoebe, our sister, with you people; Now I am recommending Phoebe, our sister, to you [community members]), she being also an attending servant of the called-out community (or: assembled congregation) [which is] in Cenchrea,

¹ If anyone is habitually stretching himself in reaching out toward a distant object upon which the eye is fixed, he is by habit craving a beautiful deed (or: If anyone continues reaching after visitation for inspection and tender guardianship, he fully desires a fine action; If anyone stretches out in reaching for the duties of looking around upon things {duties of one who watches upon, or oversees}, he completely desires ideal work). ² It is therefore binding upon (necessary for) the person fixing his eye upon a distant object (or: the one doing visitation for inspection and tender guardianship; the one watching upon or overseeing) to be someone not to be laid hold of (thus: one in whom is no just cause for blame), a husband of one wife (or: an adult male in relationship to one woman), sober (unintoxicated; clear-headed; moderate in habits), sound in mind (sensible), have his world ordered and arranged (or: systematic, proper, descent and decorous), be fond of strangers (or: hospitable), skillful and qualified to teach, ³ not addicted to wine (or: not one who keeps wine at his side), not quarrelsome and apt to strike another, but rather, yielding (lenient; gently equitable; reasonable; considerate), not disposed to fight nor belligerent, not fond of silver (= money), ⁴ habitually putting himself at the head of (= lead, provide for and protect) his own household so as to beautifully (ideally; finely) stand before and lead them, having children in the midst of, and centered in, humble alignment for support (or: within subjection) with all majestic seriousness (dignity and gravity which inspire awe) – ⁵ now if anyone does not know (has not seen and is not aware) to put himself or herself at the head of (= lead, provide for and protect) her or his own household so as to stand before and lead them, how will she or he be thoughtful of, take an interest in, and take care of, God's called-out community? ⁶ not a novice (neophyte; a newly placed member of the body), lest, being inflated with the fumes of conceit, she or he may fall into an effect of the adversary's judgment (the result of sifting, separation and decision made in regard to someone who thrusts or throws something through another; or: a judgment-effect from the adversary). ⁷ Yet it is also necessary and binding to continuously hold (or: have) a beautiful witness and testimony (= a fine reputation) from those outside, so that s/he would not fall into reproach (lest s/he may fall into a censorious report regarding character) and [into] a trick (snare; gin; device; stratagem) belonging to or devised by the adversary (or: whose source is the one who, or [that spirit and attitude] which, thrusts things through folks and causes injury or division; or: which is the adversary). ⁸ Attending servants, similarly, [should be] serious (dignified with gravity) – not double-talking (or: speaking with double meanings; or: divided in thought or reason), neither [being] folks having a propensity toward much wine, nor people eager for dishonorable (deformed or ugly; = dishonest) gain – ⁹ continuously holding (or: having) the secret (or: mystery) of the faith (trust; loyalty) within (or: in union with) a clean conscience. ¹⁰ And so, let these folks also be first put through a process of examination, testing and proving. Thereafter, let them be regularly giving supporting service [to the community], being folks that have not been called up before a judge (or: free from accusation; unimpeachable). ¹¹ Women (or: Wives) [of the community], similarly, [should be] serious (dignified with majestic gravity, inspiring awe), not devils (or: adversaries; women who thrust things through folks), sober (unintoxicated; clear-headed; moderate in habits), full of faith and trust (or: faithful; trustworthy; loyal) in all things. ¹² Let those giving supporting service be adult males having a relationship with one woman (or: husbands of one wife), habitually placing themselves in front of their children, as well as their own households, to beautifully (or: finely; ideally) lead, protect and provide [for them]. ¹³ You see, those giving supporting service in a beautiful and ideal manner continue in (or: by; for; among) themselves building around themselves a beautiful (fine; excellent; ideal) circular staircase (that which enables folks to step up to a higher place) and much freedom of speech (confident outspokenness and boldness which is the right of citizens) resident within faith, trust and loyalty – that which is resident within, and in union with, Christ Jesus.

⁸ Attending servants, similarly, [should be] serious (dignified with gravity) – not double-talking (or: speaking with double meanings; or: divided in thought or reason), neither [being] folks having a propensity toward much wine, nor people eager for dishonorable (deformed or ugly; = dishonest) gain –

⁸ But to the contrary, [he should be] fond of strangers (have affection for foreigners; be hospitable), [be] fond of the good and have affection for virtue and excellence, [be] whole, healthy and liberated (sound) in frame of mind and disposition ([be] sane), [be] fair and equitable, and in rightwised relationships within the Way pointed out, [be] loyal, dutiful and pure from all crime, [produce] inner strength ([be] self-controlled), ⁹ habitually holding himself firmly to (or: clinging face-to-face to) the full-of-faith Word (message; thought; idea; Logos; or: the faithful word) – down from, corresponding to and in line with the Teaching and training – to the end that he can be powerful and able both to be constantly encouraging (habitually performing as a paraclete; repeatedly exhorting; continually calling folks alongside to give them assistance or relief) in the teaching that continues being sound and healthy, and to repeatedly put to the proof so as to convince by demonstration, or to refute by exposure of the test, the folks habitually speaking in opposition and contradicting.

² It is therefore binding upon (necessary for) the person fixing his eye upon a distant object (or: the one doing visitation for inspection and tender guardianship; the one watching upon or overseeing) to be someone not to be laid hold of (thus: one in whom is no just cause for blame), a husband of one wife (or: an adult male in relationship to one woman), sober (unintoxicated; clear-headed; moderate in habits), sound in mind (sensible), have his world ordered and arranged (or: systematic, proper, descent and decorous), be fond of strangers (or: hospitable), skillful and qualified to teach,

⁶ [Now] if anyone is normally not one being called up, or arraigned, before a judge (= habitually exists being one free from reproach); [is] a husband of one woman (or: wife), having trusting and believing children (or: born-ones that are full of faith); [is] not one in the midst of a [legal] charge (or: an accusation; being considered in a category) of being a person without healthful wholeness (or: of being unwholesome; being in a desperate case without hope of safety; being prodigal; being wasteful; being on an unsaved course; being incorrigible; being dissolute and debauched) nor [of] insubordinate [qualities] (things not put in submission; things not placed under the arrangement; un-subjected and unruly [traits]) ⁷ – for you see, it continues binding and necessary for the person who sets his eyes upon the distant goal, having a full-scope view, and successfully hits the target (or: the one who surveys, inspects and watches upon; the scout; the tender guardian who oversees with attentive care) to continue being one [that is] not normally called up, or arraigned, before a judge (= to habitually exist being one free from reproach). As God's house administrator (house manager; house dispenser and distributor; estate steward), [he should] not [be] one who pleases himself (or: gives himself to pleasure): not impulsive (prone to passion, irritation or anger; not ruled by his own mental bent, disposition or propensities; not one teeming with internal swelling or motion), not addicted to wine (or: beside himself with wine; = not a drunk), not quarrelsome and apt to strike another, not one eager for dishonorable, deformed or ugly gain.

²⁶ "If anyone would habitually give attending service (raise dust throughout in hastening to provide for material needs) to Me, let him habitually and progressively follow with Me, and then where I Myself am, there My attending servant will also be (exist; have his or her being). If anyone would habitually give attending service to Me and provide for Me, the Father will value and honor him.

¹ Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus for (or: to) all the set-apart folks (the holy ones; the saints) within and in union with Christ Jesus, to those being in Philippi, together with care-givers (folks keeping a watchful eye upon [people and situations]; those noting and being concerned for others; overseers) and attending servants:

¹ If anyone is habitually stretching himself in reaching out toward a distant object upon which the eye is fixed, he is by habit craving a beautiful deed (or: If anyone continues reaching after visitation for inspection and tender guardianship, he fully desires a fine action; If anyone stretches out in reaching for the duties of looking around upon things {duties of one who watches upon, or oversees}, he completely desires ideal work). ² It is therefore binding upon (necessary for) the person fixing his eye upon a distant object (or: the one doing visitation for inspection and tender guardianship; the one watching upon or overseeing) to be someone not to be laid hold of (thus: one in whom is no just cause for blame), a husband of one wife (or: an adult male in relationship to one woman), sober (unintoxicated; clear-headed; moderate in habits), sound in mind (sensible), have his world ordered and arranged (or: systematic, proper, descent and decorous), be fond of strangers (or: hospitable), skillful and qualified to teach, ³ not addicted to wine (or: not one who keeps wine at his side), not quarrelsome and apt to strike another, but rather, yielding (lenient; gently equitable; reasonable; considerate), not disposed to fight nor belligerent, not fond of silver (= money), ⁴ habitually putting himself at the head of (= lead, provide for and protect) his own household so as to beautifully (ideally; finely) stand before and lead them, having children in the midst of, and centered in, humble alignment for support (or: within subjection) with all majestic seriousness (dignity and gravity which inspire awe) – ⁵ now if anyone does not know (has not seen and is not aware) to put himself or herself at the head of (= lead, provide for and protect) her or his own household so as to stand before and lead them, how will she or he be thoughtful of, take an interest in, and take care of, God's called-out community? ⁶ not a novice (neophyte; a newly placed member of the body), lest, being inflated with the fumes of conceit, she or he may fall into an effect of the adversary's judgment (the result of sifting, separation and decision made in regard to someone who thrusts or throws something through another; or: a judgment-effect from the adversary). ⁷ Yet it is also necessary and binding to continuously hold (or: have) a beautiful witness and testimony (= a fine reputation) from those outside, so that s/he would not fall into reproach (lest s/he may fall into a censorious report regarding character) and [into] a trick (snare; gin; device; stratagem) belonging to or devised by the adversary (or: whose source is the one who, or [that spirit and attitude] which, thrusts things through folks and causes injury or division; or: which is the adversary). ⁸ Attending servants, similarly, [should be] serious (dignified with gravity) – not double-talking (or: speaking with double meanings; or: divided in thought or reason), neither [being] folks having a propensity toward much wine, nor people eager for dishonorable (deformed or ugly; = dishonest) gain – ⁹ continuously holding (or: having) the secret (or: mystery) of the faith (trust; loyalty) within (or: in union with) a clean conscience. ¹⁰ And so, let these folks also be first put through a process of examination, testing and proving. Thereafter, let them be regularly giving supporting service [to the community], being folks that have not been called up before a judge (or: free from accusation; unimpeachable). ¹¹ Women (or: Wives) [of the community], similarly, [should be] serious (dignified with majestic gravity, inspiring awe), not devils (or: adversaries; women who thrust things through folks), sober (unintoxicated; clear-headed; moderate in habits), full of faith and trust (or: faithful; trustworthy; loyal) in all things. ¹² Let those giving supporting service be adult males having a relationship with one woman (or: husbands of one wife), habitually placing themselves in front of their children, as well as their own households, to beautifully (or: finely; ideally) lead, protect and provide [for them]. ¹³ You see, those giving supporting service in a beautiful and ideal manner continue in (or: by; for; among) themselves building around themselves a beautiful (fine; excellent; ideal) circular staircase (that which enables folks to step up to a higher place) and much freedom of speech (confident outspokenness and boldness which is the right of citizens) resident within faith, trust and loyalty – that which is resident within, and in union with, Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ I am writing these things to you, expecting to come toward you swiftly (in quickness; or: = soon), ¹⁵ but if ever I should be slow (or: delay), [I am writing this] to the end that you may see and thus know how it is necessary and binding to be twisted and turned back up again within God's household (or: to be treated, conducted or caused to behave in God's house), which is (or: exists being) a called-out community of [the] Living God (or: whose source is a living God; which has the qualities and character of [the] living God; or: which is a living god), a pillar and foundational seat of The Truth (or: a base from and an effect of a settling of reality),

¹¹ Women (or: Wives) [of the community], similarly, [should be] serious (dignified with majestic gravity, inspiring awe), not devils (or: adversaries; women who thrust things through folks), sober (unintoxicated; clear-headed; moderate in habits), full of faith and trust (or: faithful; trustworthy; loyal) in all things.

¹⁶ and so confessedly (admittedly; with common consent and sameness of speech) great is the secret (or: mystery) of the reverence (the standing in awe of goodness, with adoration; the healthful devotion and virtuous conduct of ease, in true relation to God): which is made visible (manifested) within flesh (= a physical body), is rightwised (set in equity and right relationship in the Way pointed out; also = is placed in covenant) in spirit (in union with Breath-effect), is seen by agents (or: messengers), is heralded (preached) within multitudes (among nations and ethnic groups), is trusted and believed within [the] world (an ordered system; secular culture), is received back in good opinion and reputation. (or: Who [some MSS read: God; others: He] was brought to clear light within flesh (= the natural realm); was shown righteous and just (= set in covenant) within spirit and attitude; was seen by agents; was proclaimed among Gentiles {non-Jews}; was believed within [the] world of society, religion, and government; was taken back up again, within glory – a manifestation which calls forth praise!)

¹² Let those giving supporting service be adult males having a relationship with one woman (or: husbands of one wife), habitually placing themselves in front of their children, as well as their own households, to beautifully (or: finely; ideally) lead, protect and provide [for them].

¹ Now in these days, during a progressive multiplying (= increasing the number) of the disciples (students; learners; apprentices), a discontented muttering of grumbling and complaints occurred (was birthed) from the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews, and/or, folks of the Hellenistic culture) aimed toward the Hebrews (the Hebrew-speaking folks, and/or folks living in accord with the Jewish culture) because their widows kept on being overlooked (= neglected and disregarded) in the daily attending service of dispensing hospitality and serving meals. ² So the twelve, after summoning the full multitude of the disciples (students) to themselves, said to them, "It is not acceptable (satisfactory; approvable) [for] us to be constantly serving [food] at tables (also: = supervising the distribution of supplies), thus neglecting (or: completely abandoning; leaving down) the Word of God (or: the Word which is God; the Word coming from God)! ³ "Thus, brothers (= fellow believers and member of the community), look about carefully upon and inspect so as to select from your [ranks] seven adult men [who are] constantly being attested and certified by witnesses [to be] full of Breath-effect (or: [the] Spirit; Attitude) and of wisdom, whom we will proceed situating (setting or placing down) upon this need. ⁴ "Yet we ourselves will continue enduring strongly focused on and loyally persist in the thought, speaking and action aimed at having goodness, ease and well-being (or: with prayer) and the attending service of the Word (and: the dispensing pertaining to the Idea and from the Message which originates in the Logos)." ⁵ And the idea (word; thought) brought satisfaction in the eyes (in the sight; = in the judgment and view) of all the full multitude, and so they selected (picked out; chose) Stephen, an adult man full of trust (and: faith; or: trustworthiness) and set-apart Breath-effect (or: Holy Spirit; or: a consecrated attitude), as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nikanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch, ⁶ whom they made stand before the sent-forth folks. Then, while envisioning goodness and speaking well-being (or: praying), they placed [their] hands on them.

⁸ Attending servants, similarly, [should be] serious (dignified with gravity) – not double-talking (or: speaking with double meanings; or: divided in thought or reason), neither [being] folks having a propensity toward much wine, nor people eager for dishonorable (deformed or ugly; = dishonest) gain – ⁹ continuously holding (or: having) the secret (or: mystery) of the faith (trust; loyalty) within (or: in union with) a clean conscience. ¹⁰ And so, let these folks also be first put through a process of examination, testing and proving. Thereafter, let them be regularly giving supporting service [to the community], being folks that have not been called up before a judge (or: free from accusation; unimpeachable). ¹¹ Women (or: Wives) [of the community], similarly, [should be] serious (dignified with majestic gravity, inspiring awe), not devils (or: adversaries; women who thrust things through folks), sober (unintoxicated; clear-headed; moderate in habits), full of faith and trust (or: faithful; trustworthy; loyal) in all things. ¹² Let those giving supporting service be adult males having a relationship with one woman (or: husbands of one wife), habitually placing themselves in front of their children, as well as their own households, to beautifully (or: finely; ideally) lead, protect and provide [for them]. ¹³ You see, those giving supporting service in a beautiful and ideal manner continue in (or: by; for; among) themselves building around themselves a beautiful (fine; excellent; ideal) circular staircase (that which enables folks to step up to a higher place) and much freedom of speech (confident outspokenness and boldness which is the right of citizens) resident within faith, trust and loyalty – that which is resident within, and in union with, Christ Jesus.