The English word deacon translates the Greek diakonos, a word meaning 'servant,' with "an emphasis on usefulness rather than inferiority." The noun appears 4x in the NT (Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:8, 10, 12). Phil 1:1 suggests that the deacons serve as assistants to the overseers/bishops (episkopos).
1 Tim spells out the personal traits that must characterize those (and those of their wives) who would serve as deacons but provides no specifics about what their ministry entailed:
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. (vv8-13)
It has been proposed that the need and pattern of the office can be traced back to early church in the appointment of the Seven to serve at the tables so as to free the apostles to concentrate on "the ministry of the word of God" (Acts 6:1-6). Though the noun 'deacon' is not used to describe these persons, the verb diakonein is. This lack of specificity has lend the office a great deal of flexibility and, in the history of the church, different church traditions have defined the office differently. Some have even discarded the office altogether. Calvin thinks he can trace two kinds of deacons in the NT; those in-charge of distributing the alms and those who care for the sick and poor (Institutes IV.3.9). In many Presbyterian churches deacons make up a 'Deacons' Court' which is responsible for the more physical and practical side of maintenance as well as assisting in any other ways as and when instructed by the Elders (Session).
Deaconess is mentioned only in Rom 16:1 where Phoebe is referred to as a diakonon. Whether it denotes a specific office or is simply a general term of respect for Phoebe's role cannot be ascertained. Some commentators think they can find allusions to the same in the "wives" in 1 Tim 3:11 and the widows in 5:3-10, but these really lead nowhere.
It seems that the deacon-deaconess is one office with which every church can indeed do "what is right in its own eyes."
Resources:
Michael Sansom, "So, What is a Deacon?" Anvil 7.3 (1990): 215-224.
Pdf N 5-6 (Open on Phone)
©ALBERITH
220520lch