The word "deacon" is used in the New Testament many times but it is not always translated as "deacon" in our English Bible. For this reason it is always good for a careful student of the word of God to carefully study the words used in the original language of the Bible, the Greek. You do not need to be a Greek scholar to do a word study. Just follow the use of the word throughout the New Testament to get a sense of its meaning for the people in that day. The following is an inductive word study of the three main derivatives of the Greek word for Deacon - diakonia, diakonos, diakoneo.

We have gathered all the verses that use these words into one convenient place. (forgive the KJV) We have organized them by the three Greek words being used. In most cases the verse itself is self-explanatory. The Greek words are represented by numbers that correspond to Strong’s Concordance. Strong in the 1800’s cataloged every Greek word and gave it a number. The number you see are Strong’s numbers. In other cases you may have to look up the context of the verse to glean its meaning.

Here is an example of how to understand the word study:

DOULOS = a bond slave   =====> (Greek word transliterated, then translation)
1401 doulos (doo'-los)  =====> (Strong’s number, Greek/English spelling, pronounciation)
from 1210;  =================> (root of the Greek word)

AV-servant 120, bond 6, bondman 1; ===>(AV=Authorized KJV, translated to English xx number of times)

(listed below are the definitions based on Greek New Testament use of the word)

    1) a slave, bondman, man of servile condition 
    1a) a slave 
    1b) metaph., one who gives himself up to another's will those whose service 
        is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men 
    1c) devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests 
    2) a servant, attendant 

"doulos" is the usual word for slave, one who is permanently in servitude, in subjection to a master.

We are asking you to simply ask three questions about the use of the word

1. Is it a Duty or an Office?
   
2. Does it refer to Physical or Spiritual ministry?
   
3. Does it indicate it to be a Servant position or a Leadership position?
   

Here is a sample.

Duty? __ Office? __	Physical? __ Spiritual? __	Servant? __ Leader? __	Matthew 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister <1249>;
Duty? __ Office? __	Physical? __ Spiritual? __	Servant? __ Leader? __	Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants <1249>, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.