1 Timothy 3:13

13 For those who have filled the deacon's office wisely and well, are already gaining for themselves an honourable standing, and are acquiring great freedom of speech in proclaiming the faith which rests on Christ Jesus.

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 Deaconesses, in the same way, must be sober-minded women, not slanderers, but in every way temperate and trustworthy.

12 A deacon must be true to his one wife, and rule his children and his own household wisely and well.

13 For those who have filled the deacon's office wisely and well, are already gaining for themselves an honourable standing, and are acquiring great freedom of speech in proclaiming the faith which rests on Christ Jesus.

14 All this I write to you, though I am hoping before long to come to see you.

15 But, for fear I may be hindered, I now write, so that you may have rules to guide you in dealing with God's household. For this is what the Church of the ever-living God is, and it is the pillar and foundation-stone of the truth.