This last year in Ladies Bible class, we studied the book of Romans. When we got to Romans chapter 16, the only thing that interested me in doing research, was on the subject of Phoebe, as there’s always been the discussion on the question of “was she a deacon?” and “should there be women deacons in the church?”.
Here are 3 Greek words that will be of interest in this study:
Diakonos - noun (G1249): In the New Testament 31 times. Translated as servant or minister, *except in these 3 instances: 1 Timothy chapter 3, where it is transliterated as “deacon” twice, and also Philippians 1:1, transliterated as deacon (or translated as minister)
diakoneō - verb (G1247) In the New Testament 37 times. Translated as ministered to, served, provided for, etc.
diakonia - noun (G1248): In the New Testament 35 times. Translated as ministry, ministries or service.
Okay, so as someone who reads the Bible in English, I had NO idea that these three Greek words above even existed, as in, I knew there was probably a Greek word translated as “deacon”, but I didn’t know about the other noun, OR that there was a verb! But that’s the cool thing about seeing the words in their original language - you can see connections that you never knew were there!
So adding up the occurrences above for these 2 nouns and 1 verb, that’s 103 times! So let’s look at some of the examples. The most commonly known examples are these 2:
1 Timothy 3:8,12-13 (NKJV) “Likewise deacons (diakonos-G1249) must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money… But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons (diakoneō-G1247) , being found blameless… Let deacons (diakonos-G1249) be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served as deacons (diakoneō-G1247) well, obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus”.
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops/overseers and deacons (diakonos-G1249):
Notice how the VERB “diakoneo” G1247), is also found twice in this passage from 1st Timothy above. It’s kind of funny, but you wouldn’t say “deaconing”, we just say “serving”, and above it’s translated as “serving as a deacon” to better explain it.
*Side note: also in the example above, the word “diakonos” has been transliterated as “deacon”. Note, this is not translating - translating a word conveys its meaning. Transliterating means just putting its letters (in this case, Greek letters) into English letters and not conveying the meaning. So then we have to ask, what does it mean to be a deacon?
Sometimes transliterating a word, instead of translating a word, can cause issues in English, for example in how the Greek words “bapizo” and “baptisma” have been transliterated as “baptize” instead of being translated as “immerse in water”. When “diakonos” is transliterated as “deacon” instead of being translated as “servant”, we also get issues that possibly or potentially weren’t there in the 1st century church. Just my two cents there.
What does it mean to be a deacon?
So in 1st Timothy chapter 3 and Philippians 1:1, it seems as though some in the church were appointed to be “daikonos” or servants.
In the beginning of chapter 3 of 1st Timothy, Paul refers to what is translated as “office/position of” bishop or overseer, “episkopos”, (sometimes translated as elder). He does not use the same word there for elder (presbyteros), like he does in other places, but in Titus chapter 1, he equates them to be the same thing:
Titus 1:5-9 5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders (presbyteros) in every city as I commanded you— 6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 7 For a bishop (episkopos) must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.
He says to Titus to appoint elders, who he then also refers to as bishops/overseers in verse 7 (also listing qualifications that they must meet, like in 1st Timothy 3). The word for bishops/overseers in verse 7, episkopos, is the same word used to reference the men in 1st Timothy chapter 3, so it does make sense that elders, bishops and overseers are the same thing.
So, he says to “appoint” (kathistēmi - G2525) these elders in his letter to Titus, which is not directly stated in 1st Timothy 3 for either overseers/elders or deacons, but qualifications are listed that they must meet. But as far as appointing goes, in Acts chapter 6, we have an example of those who do the work of “deacons” being appointed too:
Acts 6:1 the Hellenistic widows in the church were being overlooked in the daily diakonia (G1248) (translated as distribution of food).2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve (diakoneō -G1247) tables.3 “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint (same word in Titus for appointing elders/overseers - kathistēmi, G2525) over this business;4 “but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry (diakonia - G1248) of the word.”
It seems as though these 7 men were appointed to be over the business of the daily service of the widows by the 12 apostles. It seems highly possible that women were involved too, but the apostles’ instruction was for men to be appointed in charge over it.
The apostles themselves were chosen/appointed for the diakonia of the word of God, and these 7 men were chosen/appointed to be over the “diakonia” of the daily needs/food for widows.
Even though the word “diakonos” is not there,, both the noun diakonia and the verb diakoneō are there, so I think it would be plausible to describe these men as “diakonos”/deacons, as they were appointed to diakoneō. (And I’m sure that any who wanted to help these 7 men, male or female, would be welcome to do so), but these 7 men were in charge).
So I supposed deacons would be men appointed to be over certain things that come up in the church - it could be any number of issues, but they must meet certain qualifications, as listed above, to be in charge of a task and/or other people.
Examples of Serving - Appointed or Not
So going back to the 103 times that this 1 verb and 2 nouns are in the Bible, I think it’s enlightening to see people serving in the church - whether they were/are “appointed” or not.
Here are some examples of the first Greek noun “diakonos” (G1249). (You can see a list of all 31 times here), but here are a few. This is the same word transliterated as “deacon” in 1st Timothy 3 and Philippians 1.
“Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant (diakonos - G1249).” Matthew 20:26
“If anyone serves (G1247) Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant (diakonos - G1249) will be also. If anyone serves (G1247) Me, him My Father will honor.” John 12:26"
“For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers (diakonos - G1249) also transform themselves into ministers (diakonos - G1249) of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” 2 Corinthians 11:14-15
“Timothy, our brother and minister (diakonos - G1249) of God, and our fellow-worker in the gospel of Christ” 1 Thessalonians 3:2
Whether we translate is as deacon, servant or minister - it’s given because of something someone does, because they are serving.
2nd noun: diakonia (G1248)
Here are some examples of the 2nd noun, diakonia (G1248). Here is a complete list of the 35 occurrences in the KVJ)
“But Martha was distracted with much serving (diakonia-G1248), and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve (diakoneō - G1247) alone?” Luke 10:40
(prayer in deciding between Matthias and Barsabbas to take the place of Judas) “That he may take part of this ministry (diakonia-G1248) and apostleship.” Acts 1:25
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry (diakonia-G1248) which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” Paul, Acts 20:24
“For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, if prophecy, [let us prophesy] in proportion to our faith; or ministry/service (diakonia-G1248), in ministering/serving (diakonia-G1248); he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:4-8
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries (diakonia-G1248), but the same Lord.” 1 Corinthians 12":4-5
As we see from these verses above, this other noun, diakonia, is very broad, ranging from:
Martha serving food in her own house
Paul’s mission to testify to the good news
general instructions for the church in Corinth and Rome (and us) in serving God and the church according to our differing gifts
Matthias joining the ministry of apostleship with the remaining 11 apostles.
That’s many differing ways of serving!
Verb: diakoneō (G1247)
And lastly, we have the verb, diakoneō (G1247). I think this is the most interesting! Here is the list of all 37 times the word is used in the New Testament, but here are a few I found of great interest:
“So He touched her hand, and the fever left her (Peter’s mother-in-law. And she arose and served (diakoneō - G1247) them.” Matthew 8:15
“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister (diakoneō - G1247) to You?” Matthew 25:44
“There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered (diakoneō - G1247) to Him when He was in Galilee” Mark 15:40-41
“Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided (diakoneō - G1247) for Him from their means”. Luke 8:2-3
I think it’s interesting how many times this verb describes things done by women. We think of only Phoebe being someone who could have possible done serious and important work in the church, but no, it’s not limited to women, and it can be very simple things - things that we don’t need to be “appointed” to do, just things that need to be done or are done out of kindness, love and generosity.
The means that are referred to as belonging to the women in Luke 8:3 above are goods/wealth/things someone has, and is the same word used here in Luke 19:8, where Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor.”
The women pointed out by Mark were serving Jesus when he was in Galilee in likely many ways that humans need (food, water, shelter, clothes) and providing for him, and Luke additionally specifies that certain women were providing for Jesus from what they had, and likely included their own private, financial means.
Back to Phoebe though, let me point out that she was a prostatis. This is a Greek word/term, and it is only found once in the entire Bible. In society of that time, it means she likely had wealth and a position of authority of some kind, and/or she was a patroness - and we see that Paul is saying she was a patroness/ financial supporter of him and many others.
Romans 16:2: for indeed she has been a helper (prostatis) of many and of myself also.” (NKJV)
Some Bible versions say she was a “servant” or helper, but there is much MORE to that word than just “helper” or “servant”, and it’s good to understand this about Phoebe, and the special person she was!
This “providing” done by these women pointed out by Luke, could be the same kind of work that Phoebe was doing for Paul, doing whatever she could for him and giving to him from her own personal means, so he could do his work for the Lord!
So were the women mentioned by Mark and Luke “deacons”? No, they were just doing whatever they could to serve God. Their accounts do not give any indication that these women were appointed to be over other people or in charge of them, they were just serving their Lord.
Conclusion:
Finally, I will also point out a last example of this verb, diakoneō - G1247, in 1 Peter 4:10-11. It’s a great conclusion to this discussion.
As each one has received a gift, minister it (diakoneō - G1247) to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers (diakoneō - G1247) , let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
This kind of serving does not need appointing or testing - as stewards, we can use what we have to glorify God!
This same word for steward, “oikonomos”, is also used in Titus 1:7, that an overseer is a steward, an “oikonomos” of God. But whether we are appointed as elders or not, we are ALL stewards or treasurers of the gifts that God has given us, and our job is to distribute those things to build up the church and glorify God! (and on a personal note, those gifts may not be apparent to us when we are young, sometimes we discover them or learn how to develop them over time.)
If our gifts are physical, we can distribute and share it (as in the Joanna, wife of Herod’s steward, Chuza, was using her husband Chuza’s money (that he got from Herod) to support Jesus, or how Phoebe supported Paul and many others with her money. We can financially support the work of the church, male or female.
And whichever gifts we have that are Spiritual, we can and should use those to be “diakonos” (servants), to "diakoneō", (serve) God and be good stewards of what we have been given to glorify God, whether we are male or female, in whichever way God has blessed us.
Also, were women helping those who were appointed as deacons and elders? I absolutely believe they were! We women are important to the work of the church!
Personal thoughts and reflections:
So, do I personally think that Phoebe held the title of “deacon”? As I pointed out earlier, “deacon” is an English transliteration of the Greek word “diakonos”, not a translation of that word: so Phoebe was a servant. Probably not appointed to be over other people, but a great servant nonetheless.
Even though I am woman, I still don’t think she was an appointed servant in the same way that “deacons” were appointed, because of
1. example of men being appointed to the work of deacons/servants in Acts chapter 6
2. men being appointed as elders in Titus chapter 1 and 1st Timothy 3 (and 1st Timothy 3:10 also includes the testing of those who want to be deacons, THEN they can become such).
3. And also what Paul says about women not teaching or having authority over a man in 1st Timothy chapter 2.
I would rather err on the side of humility and caution when it comes to studying God’s word, that’s why I am taking this opinion.
So, do I need to be *appointed* to serve God or be a steward of his gifts? Thankfully, no, none of need to be appointed to be servants of God and the church and be stewards of the Spiritual and/or physical gifts/things we have been blessed with, although I am thankful for the ones who have been appointed as overseers/elders and deacons/servants, because they have a lot of responsibility, and it’s easy to take them (and their helpful wives) for granted.
Thank you for reading! I hope this has encouraged you to serve! (I also hope that in writing this blog and investigating the Greek words, that I am being a steward of my love of research and interest in languages (while yes, I could be using my time to research many other things that hold my interest, I think God has in some way steered me in this direction and doing Bible research brings me great delight! And I feel like it’s absolutely the BEST thing I could be spending my time doing! Glory be to God!
P.S. I would like to dedicate this article to sister Loretta Ames, who was a great servant of the church at Lake Houston. She and her husband, Richard, played a role in starting our congregation, and she used the resources and talents she had to serve us in a way many of us never knew about, but God knows, and we have faith that her reward will be great, as a good and faithful servant. What a great example she was - and continues to be - to all of us.
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