1 Timothy 3:13

purchase to themselves a good degree The word for -degree" occurs only here in N.T., having been used in LXX. for a -step" or -threshold," e.g. 1 Samuel 5:5, -the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod." It may be compared with 1 Timothy 6:19, -a good foundation," and may, from the drift of that phrase, be interpreted so as to combine something of all the three most general explanations, (a) a better degree or post, promotion to the priesthood; (b) esteem and regard from the Church for good service; (c) honour and promotion from God in the final day of reckoning. In 1 Timothy 6:19 the right use of wealth by the wealthy is the best basisfor the whole of the life -which is life indeed" to be gradually built up on, in the days yet to come on earth, and the unending day after: no spiritual life can be soundthat is not built in and upon the faithful doing of our duty in that state of life to which it may please God to call us. An illustration of the metaphor may be taken from the building of Smeaton's Eddystone Lighthouse and all lighthouses of the kind since. -All the lower courses of stone were joggled and morticed into the rock, hewn for that purpose into a series of six steplike courses. The lower portion of the building was solid throughout, and from its peculiar dovetailing practically but one stone with the rock upon which it was raised." So we may translate here with R.V. they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and interpret -good standing" not to mean a higher post but good solid work done by them as deacons, leading (a) to -boldness of speech in the faith," the acceptable performance of functions such as St Stephen and St Philip, though deacons, were privileged to perform. We then gain a force for -to themselves" in accordance with (b), adopting Theodore's comment -though second in rank to presbyters, they will themselves have an esteem second to none," and (we may add) real -freedom in speaking" too, from the consciousness of their people's sympathy and support. Finally the life now is part only of the whole life; and -life is the use of the gifts of God according to the will of God"; hence good deacon's work now is the basis (c) for a joyous expectation of the Master's smile of approval, -ye have done it unto Me," a joyous acceptance of His seal of approval, -Be thou ruler over many things." See Appendix, K.

the faith which is in Christ Jesus Here, like -the faith of the Gospel" in Philippians 1:27; Galatians 3:23 (see Bp Lightfoot), objective; the doctrine and scheme of -Christianity." Compare James 2:1, -the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ"; Judges 3, -the faith once for all delivered unto the saints."