Seven Deacons

Biblical Text

The account appears in Acts 6:1-7. As the number of disciples grew, the Grecians (Hellenistic Jews) murmured against the Hebrews, complaining that their widows were being neglected in the daily ministration. The twelve apostles called the disciples together and said, "It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables" (Acts 6:2). They instructed them to choose "seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom," while the apostles would give themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word (Acts 6:3-4).

The multitude chose the following seven:

• Stephen
• Philip
• Prochorus
• Nicanor
• Timon
• Parmenas
• Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch

The apostles prayed and laid their hands on them. The text reports that the word of God then increased and that a great company of the priests became obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7).

Background and Terminology

The Grecians are generally understood to have been Greek-speaking Jews from the Diaspora (Jews scattered and living abroad), and the Hebrews to have been Aramaic-speaking Palestinian Jews. Because all seven men bore Greek names, many interpreters conclude that they were chosen from among the Hellenists, although the text does not state this directly.

The Greek noun diakonia ("service") and its related verb occur three times in chapter 6. The New Korean Revised Version renders them as "relief" (v. 1), "serving" (v. 2, in the sense of serving tables), and "ministry of the word" (v. 4); the King James Version has "daily ministration," "serve tables," and "ministry of the word." The noun "deacon" (diakonos), however, does not appear in this chapter. The phrase "the seven deacons" derives from the New Korean Revised Version's rendering of Acts 21:8, "Philip the evangelist, one of the seven deacons"; the original text reads simply "one of the seven."

Later Careers

• Stephen: He performed signs and engaged in disputes, was brought before the Sanhedrin, and was stoned to death (Acts 6:8-7:60). This event is known as the martyrdom of Stephen.
• Philip: He is a different person from the apostle Philip. He preached in Samaria, where Simon Magus also believed and was baptized (Acts 8:5-13). He then baptized the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40). Later he lived in Caesarea with his four daughters, who prophesied (Acts 21:8-9).
• The other five: They are not mentioned again.

Although the seven were chosen to serve tables, two of them became prominent in preaching the word. For this reason, many interpreters hold that their role was not limited to relief work.

Interpretation and Debated Issues

• The origin of the diaconate?: A tradition reaching back to the patristic era, including Irenaeus, regards this event as the beginning of the office of deacon. The Reformed tradition, including John Calvin, likewise used this passage as the basis for a diaconate responsible for the relief of the poor. Other scholars, however, point out that the noun "deacon" is absent, that the appointment responded to an immediate need, and that Stephen and Philip served as preachers. These scholars do not simply equate the seven with the later office of deacon (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13).
• Denominational understandings: The Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion maintain the diaconate as one of the orders of ordained ministry and connect it with this passage. Most Protestants understand the deacon as a lay office. Baptists have traditionally tended to recognize two church offices: pastor and deacon.
• Method of selection: The procedure in which the congregation chose the men and the apostles appointed them is cited in Presbyterian, Congregationalist, and other churches as a basis for church members electing their officers.
• Nicolas and the Nicolaitans: The "Nicolaitans" appear in Revelation 2:6 and 2:15. Some church fathers, including Irenaeus, linked them with Nicolas of the seven. Clement of Alexandria, by contrast, held that it was not Nicolas himself but his followers who distorted his teaching. The biblical text offers no basis for connecting the two.

In the Korean Church

Korean churches commonly trace the origin of the office of deacon to the seven deacons. Presbyterian and other churches distinguish between ordained deacons, who receive the laying on of hands, and acting deacons, who are appointed annually. Sermons at deacon ordination services frequently cite the qualifications given in Acts 6:3.