Biblical Qualifications for Deacons

NIV 1 Timothy 3:1-13
Elders must be...
  1. above reproach,
  2. the husband of but one wife,
  3. temperate,
  4. self-controlled,
  5. respectable,
  6. hospitable,
  7. able to teach,
  8. not given to drunkenness,
  9. not violent but gentle,
  10. not quarrelsome,
  11. not a lover of money.
  12. manage his own family well
  13. his children obey him with proper respect.
  14. He must not be a recent convert,
  15. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,
Deacons, likewise, are to be
  1. men worthy of respect<4586>,
  2. sincere<1351>
  3. not indulging in much wine<4337>
  4. not pursuing dishonest gain. <146>
  5. keep hold<2192> of the deep truths of the faith
  6. with a clear conscience.
  7. first be tested; <1381>
  8. and then if there is nothing against<410> them, let them serve as deacons
  9. their wives are to be women worthy of respect,<4586>
  10. not malicious talkers <1228>
  11. but temperate <3524>
  12. trustworthy in everything. <4103>
  13. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife <435>
  14. must manage <4291> his children and his household well.

NIV 1 Timothy 3:1-13
    Elders
  • Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.
  • Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
  • not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
  • He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.
  • (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)
  • He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
  • He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

    Deacons

  • Deacons, likewise, are to be men 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.
  • They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
  • In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
  • A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.
  • Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.