How Does the Didache Describe Bishops (Elders) and Deacons?
1. Bishops and Deacons in the Didache
The Didache provides one of the earliest non-biblical references to bishops and deacons in the life of the church. Didache 15:1–2 instructs communities to “appoint for yourselves bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men who are meek and not lovers of money, truthful and approved, for they also minister to you the ministry of prophets and teachers.” This short statement reflects a shift from reliance on itinerant apostles and prophets toward a stable, local leadership structure.
Bishops (episkopoi) and deacons (diakonoi) were expected to model integrity and humility, serving as shepherds and caretakers of the church. The Didache does not describe them as wielding power but as ensuring the faithful continuation of teaching, worship, and care within the community. This language echoes the pattern found in the New Testament, where Paul urged Timothy and Titus to appoint overseers and deacons of godly character (1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9).
2. Bishops in the Bible and the Didache
The Bible presents bishops, or overseers, as spiritual guardians of the local church. In Acts 20:28, Paul told the Ephesian elders, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.” The emphasis is on watching over the people of God with diligence and selflessness.
The Didache builds upon this vision. By urging communities to appoint bishops, it highlights the growing need for settled leaders to preserve unity, sound teaching, and order in worship. These bishops were not distant administrators but shepherds who lived among the people, modeling Christlike humility.
The role of bishops also reminds the church that leadership is not about dominance but service. Jesus himself said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43). The Didache echoes this Gospel truth, emphasizing that bishops must be meek, truthful, and faithful.
3. Deacons in the Bible and the Didache
Deacons appear both in the Bible and in the Didache as vital servants of the church. The Greek word diakonos means servant or minister, and its use in the New Testament points to practical and spiritual service. Acts 6 describes seven men chosen to care for the daily distribution to widows, freeing the apostles for prayer and the ministry of the Word. While the word “deacon” is not explicitly used in Acts 6, the passage shows the spirit of diaconal service.
In 1 Timothy 3:8–13, Paul outlines the qualifications for deacons: they must be dignified, not hypocritical, not addicted to much wine, and faithful in all things. The Didache reflects this same expectation, emphasizing honesty, humility, and trustworthiness. Deacons were not lesser figures in the church but essential ministers of the Gospel through service, ensuring the community lived out its faith in practical ways.
The Didache’s placement of deacons alongside bishops highlights their shared responsibility in building up the church. Together, bishops and deacons embodied the servant leadership modeled by Christ.
4. Transition from Apostles and Prophets to Bishops and Deacons
The Didache demonstrates a clear transition from itinerant apostles and prophets to local bishops and deacons. Earlier sections (Didache 11–13) discuss how communities should receive and test traveling ministers, showing the importance of discernment. Yet by Didache 15, the instruction shifts toward establishing permanent leadership.
This mirrors the trajectory found in the Bible. While apostles were foundational to the church (Ephesians 2:20), their role was not designed to be permanent in every local congregation. Instead, the church grew into a pattern where elders, bishops, and deacons maintained faithful teaching and care. Paul instructed Titus to “appoint elders in every town” (Titus 1:5), showing the importance of local leadership rooted in Scripture.
The Didache’s move toward bishops and deacons illustrates how the early church balanced charismatic ministry with institutional stability. Both were necessary, but local leaders ensured the ongoing health of the church as it awaited the return of Christ.
5. Gospel Shape of Bishops and Deacons
At its core, the teaching of the Didache about bishops and deacons reflects the Gospel. Both roles embody Christ’s own pattern of servant leadership. Bishops guard and guide the flock, echoing Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). Deacons serve in practical love, reflecting Jesus who “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
The Bible consistently ties church leadership to the message of the cross. Paul urged Timothy to hold firmly to the trustworthy message of the Gospel (2 Timothy 1:13–14). Similarly, the Didache roots leadership not in charisma or wealth but in humility, truth, and integrity. This shows that Christian leadership is inseparable from the character of Christ and the hope of his kingdom.
For the modern church, the Didache remains a powerful reminder that bishops and deacons are not positions of worldly authority but gifts of God to guide, protect, and serve his people until the day of Christ.
Conclusion
The Didache’s description of bishops and deacons provides one of the earliest glimpses of structured leadership in the church. Bishops were tasked with oversight and teaching, while deacons were entrusted with service and care. Both roles reflected the humility of Christ and the guidance of the Scriptures.
By rooting leadership in godly character rather than status or wealth, the Didache aligned closely with the Bible’s vision. Together, bishops and deacons prepared the church to endure trials, remain faithful, and keep its eyes fixed on the coming kingdom of God.
Bible Verses About Bishops and Deacons
1 Timothy 3:1–2, “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work. An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.”
1 Timothy 3:8, “Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money.”
Philippians 1:1, “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.”
Titus 1:7, “As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money.”
Acts 6:3, “Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.”
Acts 20:28, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.”
1 Peter 5:2, “Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly.”
Mark 10:43, “But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant.”
John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
2 Timothy 2:2, “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
