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διάκονος. This name is generally applied to the seven who were
chosen to superintend the distribution of the funds of the church in Acts 6: 3; but they are not there called deacons, and though the name may be applicable to them, yet it cannot be restricted to such service. The term applies to any service not otherwise specified. The Greek word is more often translated 'minister' and 'servant' than 'deacon.' It twice refers to Christ, Rom. 15: 8; Gal. 2: 17; also to Paul and others, Col. 1: 7, 23, 25; to magistrates, Rom. 13: 4; and even to Satan's emissaries, 2 Cor. 11: 15. The Epistle to the Philippians was addressed to the saints and to the 'bishops and deacons,' or overseers and servants. In 1 Tim. 3: 8-13 the moral qualifications of the deacon or minister are given, but what his work was is not specified; it is evident that they carried out their service officially. The service of deacon must not be confounded with 'gift.' Phebe was DEACONESS of the assembly in Cenchrea. Rom. 16: 1.