Commentaries Dictionaries Concordances

Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

1 Timothy 3:13

Purchase] RV 'gain.' A good degree] RV 'standing,' a high position in estimation and influence.

14-16. Importance of the above charges, for the purpose of instructing Timothy how to act as a minister of God's Church—an institution which God has established to hold up the truth as a pillar supports a roof, and to keep it unshaken as a firm foundation gives security to a building. Were it not for the support and steadiness given to truth by the society of faithful men which maintains it, it would ere now have vanished from the earth.

Continues after advertising

See also 1 Timothy 3:13 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    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 h...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    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 t...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    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)...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    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...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

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

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    HAVE. Omit. PURCHASE. Greek. _peripoieoleai_. See Acts 20:28. DEGREE. Greek. _bathmos_. Only here. BOLDNESS. Greek. _parrhesia_. Trnnsl. "freely", in Acts 2:29. CHRIST JESUS. App-98....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _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 m...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    The meaning of βαθυὸν καλόν is the key to this verse. βαθμός (ἅπ. λεγ. in the N.T.) means primarily a ‘step,’ and it has been interpreted often of (_a_) a step in the ministry, the _gradus presbyterat...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    12, 13. THE QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACONS (_continued_)...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΔΙΑΚΟΝΉΣΑΝΤΕΣ _aor. act. part. от_ ΔΙΑΚΟΝΈΩ (G1247) служить, ΒΑΘΜΌΣ (G898) шаг, основание, основа (например, пьедестал). Здесь это слово используется в фигуральном значении и может обозначать положен...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    PURCHASE TO THEMSELVES A GOOD DEGREE,— _Acquire for themselves an honourable degree,_ [that of presbyter or bishop,] _and great assurance in preaching the Christian faith._ See Heylin. The apostle all...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    THE DEACONS 1 Timothy 3:8-13 _TEXT 3:8-13_ 8 Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 holding the mystery of the faith in a pure...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    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...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    5 This passage is primarily intended to break down the bounds in which salvation had hitherto been confined. The testimony of past eras is no basis on which to build in this era. The testimony to the...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    3 Translators have experienced much difficulty with this opening sentence, because it seemed to lack the principal verb. The A V adds _ so do_, the Revisers _ so do I now_. It is very seldom that any...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    3:13 ministered (k-6) _ Diakoneo_ , to serve, as servants or deacons....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    HOW TO BE A LEADER IN THE CHURCH 1 TIMOTHY _IAN MACKERVOY_ CHAPTER 3 WHAT AN *ELDER MUST BE LIKE (3:1-7) V1 Anyone who aims to be a leader in the church desires a good task. That is true. V2 But...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    FOR THEY THAT HAVE USED THE OFFICE OF A DEACON WELL. — Better rendered, _for they that have served well as deacons._ It was with good reason that the Apostle laid great stress on the many and varied q...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    From what has been noted above on St. Paul's teaching in relation to men's lawful aspirations, it will appear that it is not necessary to explain away the obvious meaning of this clause in accordance...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    The qualifications of the men who are to be ministers; and first (_a_) of the episcopus (vv.1-7) secondly (_b_) of the deacons (1 Timothy 3:8-13) with a parenthetical instruction respecting women chur...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    QUALIFICATIONS OF CHURCH OFFICIALS 1 Timothy 3:8 Younger men, referred to as deacons, were appointed to subordinate tasks, especially the relief of the poor, Acts 6:1. Though their service was less i...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    Turning to the government of the Church, the apostle deals with two orders, bishops and deacons. The bishop is an overseer, whose duty it is to watch over the flock. The apostle describes the qualific...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACONS By using the word "likewise," Paul made it clear that the qualifications of deacons are as important as those of elders. The word deacon comes from the original diakonos, whi...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good (g) degree, and (h) great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. (g) Honour and estimation. (h) Bold and as...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (1) В¶ This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. (2) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given t...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    1 Timothy 1:1-20. We enter now on the confidential communications of the apostle to some of his fellow-labourers, and tonight on the epistles to Timothy. The two have much in common, but they have als...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    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 bee...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    The apostle next points out to Timothy the qualities necessary for a bishop or a deacon, as well as for the wife of the latter. [4] He supposes here that there were some who desired to undertake this...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    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 ho...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    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. Ver. 13. _A good degree_] Or a fair step to a highe...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Let the deacons_ As well as the bishops; _be husbands of one wife_ That is, such as have shown their temperance by avoiding polygamy and causeless divorce; (see on 1 Timothy 3:2;) _ruling their child...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    A GOOD DEGREE; a good standing in the church of Christ, enlarged influence and means of usefulness. GREAT BOLDNESS IN THE FAITH; in professing and maintaining the faith....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    THE OFFICE OF DEACONS....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    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. The distinction between the office of bishops and th...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    If before we have seen personal conduct that is to be consistent with assembly character, this chapter, while dealing with personal character still, connects it directly with the order of the assembly...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    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. 1. Used - How does one "use" an office? Is this off...

  • Marginal Notes in the King James Version (1611)

    HAVE USED: Or, ministered...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    “FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED WELL AS DEACONS OBTAIN FOR THEMSELVES. HIGH STANDING AND GREAT CONFIDENCE IN THE FAITH THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS.” Deacons who perform well have as. consequence greater confid...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    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...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    OLBGrk; PURCHASE TO THEMSELVES A GOOD DEGREE; a good degree of honour, so that none hath reason to decline or to despise that office. This seems rather to be the sense, than what pleaseth some better,...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    1 Timothy 3:13 For G1063 served G1247 well G2573 deacons G1247 (G5660) obtain G4046 (G5731) themselves G1438 goo

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    1 Timothy 3:13. PURCHASE FOR THEMSELVES A GOOD DEGREE. The English rendering sounds hard and technical, but it is not easy to suggest a better. ‘Step,' ‘station,' ‘rank,' ‘position,' have been pro-pos...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    GAIN TO THEMSELVES (εαυτοις περιποιουντα). Present middle indicative of περιποιεω, old verb, to make besides (περ, around, over), to lay by. Reflexive (indirect) middle with reflexive pronoun (εαυτο...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    1 Timothy 3:13 The Good Degree. I. In what consists the good degree? It consists in a higher state of spiritual life a stronger faith, a higher hope, a more entrancing and captivating love; in short,...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Qualifications of elders and deacons. CHARACTERS: God, Christ, Satan. CONCLUSION: Those having places of authority in the church must be blameless, not lying under any scandal, watchful ag...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    1 Timothy 3:1. _This is a true saying,_ an indubitable word, _if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work,_ a laudable sphere of labour and usefulness. But by the idea of a primiti...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    WIN FOR THEMSELVES. Even the wicked must come to respect those who show so much kindness and mercy in helping the poor, the sick, and the persecuted. ABLE TO SPEAK BOLDLY. Love in action builds up the...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Likewise must the deacons be grave._ THE IDEAL DEACON I. Deacons should be of noble character (1 Timothy 3:8). 1. They were to be grave--_i.e._, of serious deportment--not sharing in the follies a...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    1 TIMOTHY—NOTE ON 1 TIMOTHY 3:8 Along with elders (vv. 1 Timothy 3:1), deacons have specific responsibilities in the NT church (see...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    1 TIMOTHY—NOTE ON 1 TIMOTHY 3:13 GOOD STANDING. Respect and appreciation from the church. GREAT CONFIDENCE. Probably refers to the increase in confidence that comes from seeing the power of the gospel...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 1 Timothy 3:8. DEACONS.—Originally dispensers of the Church’s bounty, they came to be regarded as the subordinates of the presbyters. NOT GREEDY.—Like the first purse...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    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...

  • The Typology of Scripture by Patrick Fairbairn

    Ver. 13. Here follows a reason for exacting such qualifications of deacons, as requisite for the safe and efficient discharge of the trust committed to them; the yap, _for,_ coupling this to the whole...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Tonight we will be studying First Timothy three and four. It is interesting as Paul writes to Timothy on several occasions, he uses phrases that are interesting to me. He said, This is a faithful sayi...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 16:15; 1 Peter 4:10; 1 Peter 4:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:2;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Purchase [π ε ρ ι π ο ι ο υ ν τ α ι]. Only here, Luke 17:33, and Acts 20:28 On which see note. Purchase is unfortunate from the point of modern usage; but it is employed in its original sense of to wi...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    They purchase a good degree — Or step, toward some higher office. And much boldness — From the testimony of a good conscience....

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    That is, "Although the deacons be as servants to the bishops, yet such as use that office well, according to the foregoing rules, by so doing do purchase to themselves. good degree above the vulgar, a...

Continues after advertising