I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:14-15 ESV)
These verses mark a transition from the previous three chapters, where Paul instructed Timothy about the false teachers (chapter 1), the importance of prayer and the proper demeanor of the women in the church (chapter 2), and the qualifications for elders and deacons (chapter 3). In the next three chapters, there are some warnings followed by encouragement.
In verse fifteen, Paul summarizes the purpose of his letter to Timothy, and his desire is that believers may know how to conduct themselves in the church, which is a pillar and buttress (this word denotes the foundation on which a building rests) of the truth.
Collectively, this local congregation is a pillar of truth in Ephesus. Therefore, it is crucial that its leaders and members may live according to their profession of faith in and outside of the church. Ralph Earle, a New Testament scholar, said, “Each local church has in its power to support and strengthen the truth by its witness to the faith and by the lives of its members.”
The Bible recognizes only two offices in the church elders/pastors and deacons. In the precious verse, Paul tells Timothy that the elders are to be blameless and have a good reputation before the unbelieving community. Likewise, deacons must be dignified. Some translations say they must be people worthy of respect, reverent, people who have integrity.
The spotlight this Sunday will be on deacons. We are going to see that deacons are servants (the literal translation for the Greek word means servant) called through their service to help build up the congregation.
In writing about the office of deacons, Matt Smethurst, a former deacon, said that deacons are an influential cavalry of servants, called by Jesus and elected by the church to meet tangible needs in the congregation. In doing so, they promote unity, enhance the elders’ ministry, and accelerate the church’s mission.
Like the elders, deacons have a noble calling; while the former is called to devote their attention to teaching and shepherding, deacons are called to meet the physical needs of the congregation. The service of the deacons is much needed in any congregation, and blessed is the church that has qualified servants to fill this office, and fortunate are the elders serving alongside them.
A local congregation and its leaders will do well to pray and facilitate the deacons’ ministry; their selfless service enhances the ministry of the church and strengthens the local body, which is a pillar and foundation of the truth.
If you have read up to this point, take a moment to offer thanksgiving and prayers for the deacons and their families. Pray that the Lord may continue to bless their ministry, and as the church grows, more godly deacons might be raised to serve the people of God with excellence and humility.