Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Paul ’s Instruction to Timothy

qualifications, Paul interjects an essential requirement that makes all the other requirements meaningful: “And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons.” The words “and. . .these also” are im portant to the development of Paul’s thought in this section (1 Tim. 328-13). They alert us to something slightly different from, but essen tial to, the five character requirements listed for deacons (1 Tim. 328,9). Through these words, Paul emphasizes that deacons must be tested in the same way that elders must be tested. Thus, “and. . .these also,” re fers back to the overseer mentioned in the previous section (1 Tim. 3:1-7).19 It is essential that we do not overlook this key point. In fact, trans lators of the New English Bible took the liberty to add the term “bishops” (overseers) to the translation in order to make this point perfectly clear. This translation reads, “No less than bishops, they must first undergo a scrutiny, and if there is no mark against them, they may serve.” The reason Paul places this injunction in the middle of the list of qualifications for deacons is that there would be a tendency to think that the biblical standards for deacons require less enforcement than the standards for overseers. Paul has already assumed that his readers recognize the need to examine overseers as to their qualification for office but recognizes that the requirement to examine deacons may not be as highly regarded. Thus Paul demands that deacons also be examined in a similar manner. The passive imperative form of the verb that is rendered “let these. . .be tested” stresses the necessity for testing a prospective dea con or elder. Testing is not an option. Every prospective elder or dea con must be evaluated by others. I The word “tested” is derived from the Greek word dokimazo'. An glican Archbishop Richard Trench (1807-1886), in his classic work Synonyms ofthe New Testament, claims that “in dokimazein. . .lies ever the notion of proving a thing whether it be worthy to be received or not.”20 In ancient Greek literature, this word was sometimes used in relation to testing a person’s credentials for public office.21 In our present context, it means “the examination of candidates for the diaconate.”22 The idea here is for others to officially examine, evalu ate, and scrutinize the prospective elder’s or deacon’s character. Just as medical doctors must be officially examined before they are licensed, prospective elders and deacons are to be examined in light of God’s requirements before they take office.

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