Qualities of
Deacons and Members
No. 11
By
Shelby G.
Floyd
Part Two: The Qualities of the Deacon and His Family
11.
1 Timothy 3:11
“Even so must their wives be…faithful in
all things.”
KJV
Last
of the four qualities that must characterize the deacon’s wife is that she must
be “faithful in all things.” Some translations have “trustworthy in everything”
(NIV). “Faithful,”
or “trustworthy” is from the original [pistos-pistos] and is in the same cognate family of words that are
translated “believe” and “faith.” In regards to the wife of the deacon, she is
to be absolutely trustworthy by showing that she is “faithful in the
transaction of business, the execution of commands,” or the discharge of business
“in all things” (Thayer, page 514). With a wife who is “faithful in all things”
the deacon’s ministry is enhanced and extended by such a positive co-helper.
Christian Women Must Be Also “Faithful In
All Things”
Just as the wives of the deacons must be faithful and
trustworthy, so the scriptures enjoin this duty and attribute on all Christian
men and women. There are many verses that substantiate this, but we shall only
notice one or two. We have all been bought by the precious blood of Christ—we belong
to him. Therefore, we are to be faithful stewards over whatever he has for us
to do—namely serve him and faithfully live the Christian life. To the
Corinthians Paul declares: “Now it is required that those who have been
given a trust must prove faithful”
[pistos-pistos] (1
Corinthians 4:2, NIV). In Paul’s salutation to the Christians at Ephesus he
stated: “…To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful [pistos-pistos] in Christ
Jesus” (Ephesians 1:1, NIV).
|
Deacons Wives |
Attribute |
Christians |
|
1 Timothy 3:11 “Their wives likewise must be…faithful in all things” KJV [Emphasis SGF] |
Faithful, absolutely trustworthy —I Timothy 3:11 |
1 Corinthians 4:2 “Now it is required that those who have been given
a trust must prove faithful
[pistos-pistos].” (1
Corinthians 4:2 NIV.) [Emphasis SGF] |
Therefore,
we can safely say that God wants the wives of the deacons and all of his people
to be “faithful in all things.” Copyright © 2009 Shelby Floyd, All Rights
Reserved