~ A place to find answers to gnawing spiritual questions ~
Question: Where in the Bible does it say that women can be deacons in the church? Everybody tells me that is ok, but where does it say that? To my understanding the men are to handle the business of the church.Answer:
In order to answer this we must first define some terms. The current usage in churches of "deacons" seems to be more restrictive today than in New Testament times. Edith Deen, author of the book "All of the Women in the Bible" (Harper & Row 1955) makes this observation, " in the early church much more was made of service, little of office..." The word that is used in 1 Timothy 3, which seems to describe an office, is used rather frequently in the New Testament. It describes the service and activity of a diverse group of people. The word implies "one who attends or waits tables with the idea of an assistant." If you have access to a Strong's concordance, search the use of the Greek word that is translated as deacons in 1 Timothy. 3. You will find the following persons who performed the work of a deacon: an angel ( Matthew 4:11), Peter's wife ( Matthew 8:10), Women who followed Jesus (Luke 8:3) etc.
With that as a background lets look at your question.
Where in the Bible does it say that women can be a deacon in the church?
I am not aware of any place that specifically says women can hold the office of a deacon but I am also not aware of any place that says they cannot. There are several places where women are shown doing the work of a deacon. The clearest one is in Romans 16: 1-2 where Paul mentions a woman by the name of Phoebe and describes her as a "servant (Greek - deaconess) of the church."
Everybody tells me that is ok, but where does it say that?
You are to be commended to search for a Biblical answer and not just take the word of some people.
To my understanding the men are to handle the business of the church. If you read Paul's guidance to Timothy and Titus in Scripture, you will find some of the church's "business" is best done by women.
I would encourage you to look at the following web site listed below since it addresses the question "What Does the Bible Say about Women Preachers?" The answer given will relate to your question.
