elders and deacons
What does the Bible say about elders and deacons? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
15 passages · most helpful first
1It is a faithful saying: if a man desires the episcopate, he desires a good work. 2Therefore, it is necessary for a bishop to be beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, gracious, chaste, hospitable, a teacher, 3not a drunkard, not combative but restrained, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4but a man who leads his own house well, having children who are subordinate with all chastity. 5For if a man does not know how to lead his own house, how will he take care of the Church of God? 6He must not be a new convert, lest, being elated by pride, he may fall under the sentence of the devil.
1In those days, as the number of disciples was increasing, there occurred a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were treated with disdain in the daily ministration. 2And so the twelve, calling together the multitude of the disciples, said: “It is not fair for us to leave behind the Word of God to serve at tables also. 3Therefore, brothers, search among yourselves for seven men of good testimony, filled with the Holy Spirit and with wisdom, whom we may appoint over this work. 4Yet truly, we will be continually in prayer and in the ministry of the Word.” 5And the plan pleased the entire multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and with the Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolas, a new arrival from Antioch. 6These they set before the sight of the Apostles, and while praying, they imposed hands on them.
23And traveling by way of Pisidia, they arrived in Pamphylia.
5For this reason, I left you behind in Crete: so that those things which are lacking, you would correct, and so that you would ordain, throughout the communities, priests, (just as I also ordained you)
1It is a faithful saying: if a man desires the episcopate, he desires a good work. 2Therefore, it is necessary for a bishop to be beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, gracious, chaste, hospitable, a teacher, 3not a drunkard, not combative but restrained, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4but a man who leads his own house well, having children who are subordinate with all chastity. 5For if a man does not know how to lead his own house, how will he take care of the Church of God? 6He must not be a new convert, lest, being elated by pride, he may fall under the sentence of the devil.
1Paul, a servant of God and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, in accord with the faith of God’s elect and in acknowledgment of the truth which is accompanied by piety, 2in the hope of the eternal life that God, who does not lie, promised before the ages of time, 3which, at the proper time, he has manifested by his Word, in the preaching that has been entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior; 4to Titus, beloved son according to the common faith. Grace and peace, from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Savior. 5For this reason, I left you behind in Crete: so that those things which are lacking, you would correct, and so that you would ordain, throughout the communities, priests, (just as I also ordained you) 6if such a man is without offense, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of self-indulgence, nor of insubordination.
1Therefore, I beg the elders who are among you, as one who is also an elder and a witness of the Passion of Christ, who also shares in that glory which is to be revealed in the future: 2pasture the flock of God that is among you, providing for it, not as a requirement, but willingly, in accord with God, and not for the sake of tainted profit, but freely, 3not so as to dominate by means of the clerical state, but so as to be formed into a flock from the heart. 4And when the Leader of pastors will have appeared, you shall secure an unfading crown of glory. 5Similarly, young persons, be subject to the elders. And infuse all humility among one another, for God resists the arrogant, but to the humble he gives grace. 6And so, be humbled under the powerful hand of God, so that he may exalt you in the time of visitation.
2Therefore, it is necessary for a bishop to be beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, gracious, chaste, hospitable, a teacher,
22You should not be quick to impose hands on anyone, nor should you take part in the sins of outsiders. Keep yourself chaste.
3Therefore, brothers, search among yourselves for seven men of good testimony, filled with the Holy Spirit and with wisdom, whom we may appoint over this work.
2Therefore, it is necessary for a bishop to be beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, gracious, chaste, hospitable, a teacher, 3not a drunkard, not combative but restrained, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4but a man who leads his own house well, having children who are subordinate with all chastity. 5For if a man does not know how to lead his own house, how will he take care of the Church of God? 6He must not be a new convert, lest, being elated by pride, he may fall under the sentence of the devil. 7And it is necessary for him also to have good testimony from those who are outside, so that he may not fall into disrepute and the snare of the devil.
28Take care of yourselves and of the entire flock, over which the Holy Spirit has stationed you as Bishops to rule the Church of God, which he has purchased by his own blood.
17Let priests who lead well be held worthy of twice the honor, especially those who labor in the Word and in doctrine.
1In those days, as the number of disciples was increasing, there occurred a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were treated with disdain in the daily ministration. 2And so the twelve, calling together the multitude of the disciples, said: “It is not fair for us to leave behind the Word of God to serve at tables also. 3Therefore, brothers, search among yourselves for seven men of good testimony, filled with the Holy Spirit and with wisdom, whom we may appoint over this work. 4Yet truly, we will be continually in prayer and in the ministry of the Word.” 5And the plan pleased the entire multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and with the Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolas, a new arrival from Antioch. 6These they set before the sight of the Apostles, and while praying, they imposed hands on them.
11And so, have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead, refute them.