1 Timothy 3:13

For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. PURCHASE TO THEMSELVES A GOOD DEGREE, [ bathmon (G898) peripoiountai (G4046)] - 'are acquiring ... a ... step.' Not promotion to the higher office of presbyter. For ambition seems an unworthy motive to faithfulness for Paul to urge; besides, it would require 'a better degree.' Then the past aorist participle, 'they that used the office of deacon well,' implies that the present verb, 'are acquiring to themselves boldness,' is the result of the completed action of using the diaconate well. Moving upwards in church offices was as yet unknown (cf. Romans...

13_. For they who have served well _Owing to a practice which came into use one or two centuries after the death of the apostles, of choosing presbyters from the order of deacons, this passage has been commonly interpreted as describing elevation to a higher rank, as if the Apostle called to the honor of being presbyters those who had faithfully discharged the office of a deacon. For my own part, though I do not deny that the order of deacons might sometimes be the nursery out of which presbyters were taken, yet I take Paul’s words as meaning, more simply, that they who have discharged this ministry in a proper manner are worthy of no small honor; because it is not a mean employment, but a highly honorable office. Now by this expression he intimates how much it is for the advantage of the Church to have this office discharged by choice men; because the holy discharge of it procures estee...

8-13 The deacons were at first appointed to distribute the charity of the church, and to manage its concerns, yet pastors and evangelists were among them. The deacons had a great trust reposed in them. They must be grave, serious, prudent men. It is not fit that public trusts should be lodged in the hands of any, till they are found fit for the business with which they are to be trusted. All who are related to ministers, must take great care to walk as becomes the gospel of Christ....

Verse 13. _THAT HAVE USED THE OFFICE OF A DEACON WELL_] They who, having been _tried_ or _proved_, 1 Timothy 3:10, have shown by their steadiness, activity, and zeal, that they might be raised to a higher office, are here said to have _purchased to themselves a_ _good degree_, βαθμον καλον. for, instead of having to administer to the _bodies_ and _bodily wants_ of the poor, the faithful deacons were raised to minister in holy things; and, instead of ministering the _bread that perisheth_, they were raised to the _presbyterate_ or _episcopate_, to minister the _bread of life_ to immortal souls. And hence the apostle adds; _And great boldness_ _in the faith_; πολλην παρῥησιαν, _great liberty of speech_; i.e. in teaching the _doctrines_ of Christianity, and in expounding the Scriptures, and preaching. It seems t...

FOR THEY THAT HAVE USED THE OFFICE OF A DEACON WELL - Margin, “ministered.” The Greek word is the same as deacon, meaning ministering, or serving in this office. The sense would be well expressed by the phrase, “deaconizing well.” The “word” implies nothing as to the exact nature of the office. PURCHASE TO THEMSELVES - Procure for themselves; see this word explained in the notes on Acts 20:28. A GOOD DEGREE - The word here used (βαθμός bathmos) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, properly, “a step,” as of a stair; and the fair meaning is that of going up higher, or taking an additional step of dignity, honor, or standing. So far as the “word” is concerned, it may mean either an advance in office, in dignity,

EXPOSITION 1 TIMOTHY 3:1 _Faithful is the saying _for _this is a true saying_,_ _A.V.; _seeketh _for _desire_,_ _A.V. FAITHFUL IS THE SAYING (see above, 1 Timothy 1:15, note). This manifestly refers to what follows, not, as Chrysostom and others, and margin of the R.V., to the saying which precedes, in 1 Timothy 2:15. SEEKETH (ὀρέγεται); literally, _stretches out his hands after_._ It _is peculiar in the New Testament to the pastoral Epistles and the Epistle to the Hebrews, though common in classical Greek (see...

FOR THEY THAT HAVE USED THE OFFICE OF A DEACON WELL,.... With diligence and faithfulness, with simplicity and cheerfulness; taking good care of the minister and poor, and of the discipline of God's house: PURCHASE TO THEMSELVES A GOOD DEGREE; not an higher office, as that of presbytery or episcopacy, which is a sense calculated to serve a hierarchy; nor a degree in glory and happiness hereafter; but rather an increase of gifts and grace; or a degree of respect and honour in the church: or the sense is, they possess and enjoy, which is the meaning of the word rendered "purchase", a very honourable office in the church; and which is so to them, they using it well, and discharging it in an honourable manner; unless the apostle should design what the Jews called דרגא דמהימנותא, "a degree of faith": b but that is expressed in the next clause: AND GREAT BOLDNESS IN THE FAITH, WHICH IS IN CHR...

III. CONCERNING THE HOUSE OF GOD CHAPTER 3 _ 1. The overseer (1 Timothy 3:1)_ 2. The deacon (1 Timothy 3:8) 3. The house of God and the mystery of Godliness (1 Timothy 3:14) 1 Timothy 3:1 As stated before, the Church is viewed in these pastoral Epistles as the house of God. The holiness which becomes this house is to be maintained and expressed in a practical way. The different directions given as to overseers and deacons demonstrate what God esteems highly, and what He expects of those who are saved by grace, and who constitute His House. Paul wrote these instructions to his son Timot

DEACONS AND DEACONESSES. Certain moral qualities, likewise, are required in deacons. They must be serious, sincere in speech, free from love of wine and (since they administer church funds) from love of money, holding with a pure conscience the truth revealed in the faith. They, too, must be appointed only when, tested by their general conduct in the community, they are found without accusation. (Deaconesses must satisfy similar requirements.) The domestic conditions demanded for bishops apply to deacons also. These varied qualifications are needful because fidelity in their office wins them, among their fellows, both a position of honour and boldness in their faith. 1 TIMOTHY 3:9. MYSTERY: _ i.e._ truth which man could not find for himself, but which, once hidden, is now made known through revelation....

THE LEADERS OF THE CHURCH (1 Timothy 3:1-7)...