THE NEW TESTAMENT SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ECCLESIAL TERM DEACON
Keywords:
NEW TESTAMENT, DEACONAbstract
The NT is the first and fundamental source concerning the origin of
the diaconate. Though disputed by a group of exegetes, the event
found in Acts 6 is traditionally considered to be the historical origin
of the NT office of the diaconate. Later in 1 Timothy 3 there is a
presentation of the qualities of the Deacons. Apart from these two
texts, the NT usage of the word ‘Deacon’ or ‘servant’ (msemsana,
diakonos) in different contexts is also important, as it shed light to the
NT meaning of the diaconate.
References
M. Pavone, La Preghiera di Ordinazione del Diacono nel Rito Romano e nel Rito Bizantino-Greco, Città del Vaticano: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2006.
Thesaurus Graecae Linguae ab H. Stephanus Constructus et Aliis, III , Graz: Akademische Druck-Und Verlagsanstalt, 1954.
Theological Dictionary of the New Testament Vol. II, G. Kittel, ed., Grand Rapids, Michigan: WM.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1980.
H. Conzelmann, Acts of the Apostles, Hermeneia – A Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible, Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1987.
L. Oberlinner, Le Lettere Pastorali, Commentario Teologico del Nuovo Testamento, Brescia: Paideia, 1999.
