Chapter 5: Bishops and Deacons ==============================
From: Meditations on Philippians: Sacrifices of Joy
Narrator: Chris Genthree
Duration: 12min
Philippians 1:1 • 12 min. read • grade level: 9
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“Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons”.
“Paul and Timotheus, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus, to the (ones) being in Philippi, with overseers and deacons.”
Philippians. 1:1
We have already seen that every true believer in our Lord Jesus Christ is a “saint,” but we find in this greeting in our first verse, two other classes. Paul writes not only to “all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi,” (vs. 1) but he adds, “with (the) bishops and deacons,” (vs. 1) or, as the New Translation puts it: “with (the) overseers and ministers” (vs. 1). This does not mean that the bishops and deacons were not saints: surely they were: but they had also this special position in the assembly. Notice that the little word (the) in this quotation is in brackets, to show that it is not in the Greek Testament, as though the Spirit of God is not pointing out any very special people. Dr. Vaughan translates it: “with any bishops and deacons.” The word “bishop,” or “overseer,” (the same word in Greek), does not have at all the same sense in the New Testament, that it has come to have among men today. And the word “minister” used in the New Translation does not in the least mean the position occupied by the “minister” of a church today. It merely means one who ministers, or serves. Compare Matt. 20:2828Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28); Mark 1:3131And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. (Mark 1:31); Mark 9:3535And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. (Mark 9:35), etc.
The word bishop, or overseer, (same word), was also used interchangeably with the word “elders.” In Acts 20:1717And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. (Acts 20:17), the Scripture speaks of “elders,” while in verse 28, speaking to the same persons, we read: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God” (Acts 20:2828Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)). The word is exactly the same as is translated “bishops” in Philippians 1:11Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: (Philippians 1:1). Compare also Titus 1:55For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (Titus 1:5) & 7: “I left thee in Crete, that thou mightest.... establish elders in each city, as I had ordered thee.... the overseer must be free from all charge, etc” (New Translation).
There were evidently a number of overseers, or bishops, in the assembly at Philippi. The position which bishops hold today in the various denominations, is totally unknown and unheard of in the New Testament; and did not come into use until after the days of the apostles. God’s way is to have a number of bishops, or overseers, in one assembly, as here in Philippi, or in Ephesus (Acts 20:2828Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)). Man’s way is to have one bishop over a number of “churches.”
How were the overseers, or bishops, appointed in the days of the apostles? In every case they were chosen and appointed either by the apostles themselves, or by some person, as Timothy or Titus, authorized by the apostles to select, or “establish” them. See the verse quoted above from Titus 1:55For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (Titus 1:5). See also, for example, Acts 14:2323And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. (Acts 14:23): “And having chosen them elders in every assembly, having prayed with fastings, they committed them to the Lord” (New Translation).
There is not a single instance in the New Testament where an assembly chose, or was instructed to choose elders or deacons for themselves. They were only chosen by an apostle, or by one whom an apostle ordered to do so. (Titus 1:55For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (Titus 1:5). New Translation). I know that it is the custom with many today for an assembly to choose its own elders, or overseers, or bishops, and deacons. But this custom is unknown in the New Testament. No church in the New Testament ever pretended to do such a thing. Let us at least be willing to acknowledge our real lack in this respect; it is our duty to God, because it is the truth; and the owning it keeps one from much presumption. For in general Christendom is doing, without apostles, what is only Scriptural to be done by or with them. The appointment of elders and deacons goes upon the notion that there is an adequate power still resident in men or the Church. But the only Scriptural ordaining power is an apostle acting directly, or indirectly. Titus or Timothy did not go and ordain elders, except as authorized by the Apostles.
But there are the clearest, and most minute directions given us in the Scriptures, by which we may know and recognize those who are qualified in the sight of God to act in this capacity. See 1 Tim. 3, and Titus 1:5-95For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (Titus 1:5‑9). Ponder these qualifications: (Alternative readings are from the “New Translation”).
“If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, (sober) sober, (discreet) of good behavior, (decorous) given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, (not greedy of filthy lucre;) but patient, (mild; moderate) not a brawler, (not addicted to contention) not covetous; (not fond of money) one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” 1 Tim. 3
“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed (or, ordered) thee: if any be blameless, the husband of one wife have faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, (or, head-strong) not soon angry, (or passionate) not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, (discreet) just, holy, temperate; holding fast (or clinging to) the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” Titus 1:5-95For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (Titus 1:5‑9)
As we ponder these minute instructions: so clear that every saint may recognize who is qualified as an elder, or overseer, or bishop: and as we remember that, according to the Word of God, no assembly has authority to appoint elders ... and certainly no individual has such authority ... are we wrong in believing that now the individual saints in every assembly are responsible to recognize those so qualified, and submit themselves to such: as the saints in Philippi would submit themselves to the bishops established by the Apostle? Human appointment is man’s way: but God’s way is: “Know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake” (1 Thess. 5:1212And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; (1 Thessalonians 5:12)). The true way to glorify God is not to assume an apostolic authority that we do not possess, but to act confiding in the power and presence of the Holy Ghost, Who does remain. It is the Lord Himself, acting by the Holy Ghost, who has put each saint in his own particular place in the body, as He sees fit: and it is our responsibility to recognize those whom the Lord has qualified to do the work of bishops or deacons.
There is no thought or suggestion in Scripture of a number of assemblies, or one assembly, being in subjection to one man: though even in the days of the apostles, as in our own days, there was a Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence (3 John 99I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. (3 John 9)): but the Scripture only mentions him to condemn him.
In the days of the apostles, a bishop was simply an “overseer,” and a deacon was simply one who serves. The office of overseer seems to have dealt more with the internal, the spiritual, side of the affairs of the assembly; though he is to be given to hospitality, which includes the temporal side. As we search the Scriptures we may find a good deal of light on what the office of a bishop entailed. In 1 Peter 5:1, 21The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (1 Peter 5:1‑2), we see that an “elder” was to “feed the flock of God” (1 Peter 5:22Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (1 Peter 5:2)). The word translated “feed” is really much wider than simply to feed. It means “to act as a shepherd.” It carries with it all the loving, faithful care that a good shepherd gives to his flock. This one word alone will, perhaps, include all those which follow.
In Hebews 13:7 (margin) we read of “the guides.” The word literally means, “the ones leading”: like the shepherd leads and guides the flock. “He goeth before them,” (John 10:44And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. (John 10:4)), the Good Shepherd could say. That was one of the duties of the overseer. In Heb. 13:1717Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:17), we read of the same ones ... the guides ... and here it tells us they “watch for your souls” (Heb. 13:1717Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:17)). The word “watch” means, “to be sleepless,” and so, “to be vigilant” ... just as a good shepherd kept watch over his flock by day and by night, like the shepherds of Bethlehem (Luke 2:88And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (Luke 2:8)), or Jacob, who could say: “In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes” (Gen. 31:4040Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes. (Genesis 31:40)). So should the true overseer watch, by day and by night, over the flock of God.
In 1 Thess. 5:1212And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; (1 Thessalonians 5:12), we read: “We beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you.” In this verse we find three more duties of the overseer. First, he labored. The word originally meant to grow weary. It tells of the toil that wearies one.
How well Paul understood this. Such is the toil and labor of the true overseer. “Are over you,” is literally, “set over,” so means to preside, or rule, or govern: but it has also the meaning: “to be a protector, or guardian, to give aid, to care for.” How well that describes the work of a good shepherd. To “admonish” is to “put in mind,” and so, to “exhort.”
We have already seen that the overseer is to be as “the steward of God” (Titus 1:77For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; (Titus 1:7)). This is a most solemn and responsible position: and, “It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:22Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2)). Oh, that every assembly of the saints had a few such overseers.
The Greek word used for “elder,” sometimes has only the meaning of an “old man,” as 1 Tim. 5:11Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; (1 Timothy 5:1), where it is in contrast to “younger men.” It would seem that all who held the official position of an “elder,” were old men: but not all “old men” held that official position. We are specially warned that an elder (or, overseer) must not be a “novice.” The same word is used of “elders” of the Jews, and we often meet the word in Revelation.
The word “deacon” means simply “one who ministers,” or, “serves”: for “minister” is really only another name for “servant.” In the New Testament it has not the least meaning that it has come to have today, a man in charge of a “church.” It refers to the lowly service of love, which has been associated with those who were younger in the Truth, and not, perhaps, gifted in a particular way. They yet have the service of the saints at heart, and are concerned with the little things in the practical life of the assembly: “serving tables,” for instance: as we find in Acts 6:1-61And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. (Acts 6:1‑6). When I was a boy my father and I used to go early to the meeting room to get it ready. Part of my work was to dust the seats. One day my father remarked to me that this was the work of a deacon, and that “they that have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 3:1313For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:13)).
We should today look earnestly to our Lord Jesus Christ as Head, that He would raise up those who would be able to serve and minister to the saints, in this lowly way, loving them with the heart of Christ. The qualifications for the deacon are set forth with equal clearness to those of the bishop: “grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 3:8-138Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:8‑13)). Stephen and Philip should encourage the “deacons.” We may see in chapter 2 that Epaphroditus did the work of a deacon for the assembly in Philippi.
As we read these qualifications, I fear they make most of us hang our heads in shame, so few seem able to meet the requirements for bishop or deacon. Let us remember the only One Who has perfectly fulfilled them is He Who is called “The Bishop of your souls,” (1 Peter 2:2525For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)), and Who said of Himself, “I am among you as he that serveth” (Luke 22:2727For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. (Luke 22:27)): literally, “as the One being deacon” (Luke 22:2727For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. (Luke 22:27)).
If a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God 1 Tim. 3:55(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) (1 Timothy 3:5)
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