A Fit Helper

The Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America is one of the few reformed denominations which allows for the ordination of women to the office of deacon. (Women are not permitted in the teaching office of elder.) This sermon is a Biblical defense of this position. Most modern translations begin verse 11, "Their wives . . ." The third person possessive pronoun (their) is not in the Greek for this verse and the word for wives could also be translated 'women' as it is in the singular in verses 11 and 14 of the previous chapter. As God made woman to be a helper suited for man in Genesis 2, so He has made deacons to be fit helpers for the elders. But their work is a lowly, menial task as the Greek term, deacon indicates. So the deacon is not be be given spiritual authority over others. That has been entrusted to the elders.