Qualities of Deacons and Members

No. 7

By

Shelby G. Floyd

April 20, 2009

7.

“Then Let Them Serve As Deacons, If They Be Blameless”

The last attribute concerning the deacon by himself is that he must be blameless: “Then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless” (1 Timothy 3:10 ASV). “Blameless” is from [anegkletos-anegklatos] and means that a deacon should be of such character that he cannot be called in account for wrong doing. He is therefore unreproveable and blameless, with no charges able to stick.

Members Also Must Be Blameless

Each one of us, who belong to the Lord, must also let God and his word make us blameless. In the absolute sense no person can be blameless except by the forgiveness of sin that comes by the cleansing blood of Christ (1 John 1:7, 9). But we can live our lives above reproach with no charges able to stick against us. And when our faults are made known by us or to us, we can repent, confess them and know that God “…will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless [anegklatos—anegklatos] in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:8). It is therefore by the atoning sacrifice of Christ’s death that we will be presented at the last day blameless:

Colossians 1:21-22

And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—

NKJV

Actually in these verses there are two different words used to express the idea of being blameless. “Blameless” is from [amwmos-amomos], and is used here ethically of someone without blemish and unblameable. Also the same word that is applied to the deacons is applied to all the members of the church and is translated “above reproach.”

Deacons	Attribute	Christians
“Then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless–1 Tim. 3:10 ASV [Emphasis SGF]	Blameless service; no charges able to stick —1 Tim. 3:10	1 Cor. 1:8 “Who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. NKJV [Emphasis SGF] Compare Col. 1:22

Therefore, as far as humanly possible every child of God is to live our lives in a transparent way, and be blameless and without blemish and with no charges against us able to stick. Copyright © 2009 Shelby Floyd, All Rights Reserved.