Qualifications for Elders and Deacons

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The Biblical Qualifications For Elders and Deacons

Introduction

The only two local church offices mentioned in the NT are those of Elder (overseer) and Deacon (servant or minister). Included in these qualifications is a man’s heartfelt desire for the care and oversight of God’s people (1Timothy 3:1). The desire for power, authority, or spiritual status is nowhere listed or promised in any part of the New Testament! Consider the following verses carefully and you will find they speak of selfless Christian servants who desire to humbly and sacrificially care for the people Christ died to save.

"Those who are choosing elders in churches today would do well to look carefully at candidates in the light of these qualifications, and to look for those character traits and patterns of godly living rather than worldly achievement, fame, or success. Especially in churches in western industrial societies, there seems to be a tendency to think that success in the world of business (or law, or medicine, or government) is an indication of suitability for the office of elder, but this is not the teaching of the New Testament." -Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, p.916

Biblical Qualification(s)	Office	Scriptural Reference(s)

Must be Above Reproach (blameless)	Elder / Deacon	1Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6 / 1Tim. 3:9-10
Must be The Husband Of One Wife	Elder / Deacon	1Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6 / 1Tim. 3:12
Must be Temperate (sober minded)	Elder / Deacon	1Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:7 / 1Tim. 3:8
Must be Prudent (self-controlled)	Elder	1Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8
Must be Respectable	Elder / Deacon	1Tim. 3:2 / 1Tim. 3:8
Must be Hospitable	Elder	1Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8
Must be Able To Teach	Elder	1Tim. 3:2; 5:17; Titus 1:9
Not Addicted to Wine (drunkenness)	Elder / Deacon	1Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7 / 1Tim. 3:8
Not Pugnacious (violent), but Gentle	Elder	1Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7
Not Quarrelsome (uncontentious)	Elder	1Tim. 3:3
Not A Lover Of Money (not greedy)	Elder	1Tim. 3:3
Manages His Own Household Well	Elder / Deacon	1Tim. 3:4 / 1Tim. 3:12
His Children Obey Him	Elder / Deacon	1Tim. 3:4-5; Titus 1:6 / 1Tim. 3:12
Not A Recent Convert	Elder	1Tim. 3:6
A Good Reputation With Outsiders	Elder	1Tim. 3:7
Does Not Pursue Dishonest Gain	Elder / Deacon	1Tim. 3:8 / Titus 1:7
Not Two-Tongued (must be sincere)	Deacon	1Tim. 3:8
Must Have Children Who Believe	Elder	Titus 1:6
Not Overbearing	Elder	Titus 1:7
Not Quick-Tempered	Elder	Titus 1:7
Loves What Is Good	Elder	Titus 1:8
Must Be Upright, Holy	Elder	Titus 1:8
Must Be Disciplined	Elder	Titus 1:8
Must Be Tested	Deacon	1Tim. 3:10
Likewise…Wives Must be Dignified	Elder / Deacon	1Tim. 3:11
Wives Must Not be Malicious Gossips	Elder / Deacon	1Tim. 3:11
Wives Must be Temperate	Elder / Deacon	1Tim. 3:11
Wives Must be Faithful in All Things	Elder / Deacon	1Tim. 3:11

A Brief Note on Deacons

The Greek word for deacon is (diakonos). In its pre-technical usage, this word simply meant "one who serves." The seven men chosen to serve in this capacity in Acts 6:1-6 were likely the first deacons ever to be appointed in the church. Generally, their attention to the physical needs of the flock was meant to allow the elders to give full attention to prayer and the teaching of the word of God (Acts 6:2, 4). However, Acts 6:8-8:1 clearly shows that even gifted deacons may preach and teach boldly at times!

Bibliography

Systematic Theology, An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, Wayne Grudem, Zondervan, © 2000
Biblical Eldership, An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership, Alexander Strauch, Lewis & Roth Publishers, © 1995
The Team Concept, Paul's Church Leadership Patterns or Ours?, Bruce Stabbert, Hegg Brothers Printing, © 1982
Sacred Cows Make Gourmet Burgers, Ministry Anytime, Anywhere, By Anyone, William M. Easum, Abingdon Press, © 1995
The New Testament Order For Church and Missionary, 4th Revised Ed., Alex Rattray Hay, © 1947
The Church at the End of the 20th Century, Francis A. Schaeffer, Intervarsity Press, © 1970