AS we continue through this book, we come to the section which is most often consulted when churches are seeking for officers. Going by Paul's descriptions in this chapter, it is apparent that the churches in Paul's day had leaders whose offices and functions fit into two categories: bishops and deacons. Both kinds of leaders were ministers of the gospel.
It can be shown (from other passages) that bishops (otherwise known as pastors, overseers, or elders) were generally responsible for leading in studying, preaching, teaching, and praying. The deacons (defined biblically as attendants, servants, or messengers) were authorized to handle a leadership role in any other area of church ministry that might otherwise distract the pastors from their ministry of the word. For the most part “deacon” ministry involves relationships. The first deacons were ordained because some of the church members felt neglected. The creation of a group of deacons was supposed to fix that problem (Acts 6:1-4). However, this chapter is not really aimed at the function of pastors and deacons. Instead, here Paul addresses the qualifications (or one might say, the standards of behavior) for pastors and deacons.
There are some close similarities between the requirements for these two offices. But overall, according to Paul, church officers should be holy. Once a man accepts a position of leadership, he (and his family) is open to (and should embrace) a significant level of scrutiny.
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