1 Timothy 3:8, 9, 12 Deacons Qualifications

1 Timothy 3:8, 9, 12 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.  They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. .... A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.

The seven main qualifications for a deacon (the Greek word simply means servant) are found in these verses. The In the same way at the beginning points to the fact that these qualifications are very similar to those for the elders. Both lists contain similar items - worthy of respect (respectable), not indulging in much wine (not given to drunkenness) and not pursuing dishonest gain (not a lover of money). Sincere appears and keeping hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience but not above reproach, temperate, self-controlled, hospitable, able to teach. Faithful to his wife and managing his children comes in verse 12. The deacon then has to be a mature believer but he may not have a gift to teach. His home life is again an important test of his ability in church life. Irreproachability and hospitableness are desirable but not of the essence of the work. We get a clear idea then of a New Testament deacon. One almost in every way like an elder but with a less public persona. If a church has faithful deacons getting on with the practical matters that always need to be thought of and so freeing the elders to do their real work then all the members will be greatly blessed indeed.