1 Timothy 3:13

13 Those who do this servant work will come to be highly respected, a real credit to this Jesus-faith.

1 Timothy 3:13 Meaning and Commentary

1 Timothy 3:13

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 (atwnmyhmd agrd) , "a degree of faith": ^F2 but that is expressed in the next clause:

and great boldness in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus:
either in the exercise of the grace of faith at the throne of grace; or in asserting the doctrine of faith before men; and in reproving either for error or immorality: all which may be boldly done by those who use this office well.

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 Zohar in Exod. fol. 36. 3.

1 Timothy 3:13 In-Context

11 No exceptions are to be made for women - same qualifications: serious, dependable, not sharp-tongued, not overfond of wine.

12 Servants in the church are to be committed to their spouses, attentive to their own children, and diligent in looking after their own affairs.

13 Those who do this servant work will come to be highly respected, a real credit to this Jesus-faith.

14 I hope to visit you soon, but just in case I'm delayed, I'm writing this letter so

15 you'll know how things ought to go in God's household, this God-alive church, bastion of truth.