1 Timothy 3:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

NIV: Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

NASB: For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

CSB: For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

NLT: Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

This verse partly explains why the qualifications for deacons are so high. There are spiritual rewards in heaven for those who serve faithfully in this role. Faithful deacons are to be respected for their service and recognized for their work. A deacon's role is not primarily administrative, but spiritual. Serving well leads to great spiritual reward. This is true both for the individual and the church as well. When a congregation has faithful deacons, and elders, the church thrives.

Further, serving well also gives added confidence in the faith. This closely resembles Hebrews 10:35, which teaches, "Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward." Confidence is considered a reward for those who serve Christ well. The more confident in faith one becomes, the more effectively and powerfully they can spread the gospel message. Faith," serving as the basis for much of the Christian life, is mentioned 19 times in 1 Timothy.

First Timothy 3:8–13 gives qualifications for those who wish to serve as ''deacons,'' or ''servants,'' within the church. Many of these are duplicates of the requirements given for elders, including a good reputation and a respectable control over their own homes. Deacons are also prohibited from being those with a reputation for being two-faced, greedy, or prone to addiction. Unlike elders, who have probably already been ''tested,'' Paul says deacons should submit to a time of testing and be installed when they prove themselves ''blameless.''

First Timothy chapter 3 expresses requirements for two different levels of church leadership. The first are ''elders'' or ''overseers.'' These men are to be experienced Christians, respectable, capable teachers, with a good reputation and a well-ordered family life. The second group are ''servants,'' or ''deacons,'' who share many of the same expectations. Unlike elders, however, deacons are not necessarily called on to teach. And, they are expected to be ''tested'' prior to taking on their role.

Chapter 3 concludes Paul's general statements about church structure and behavior. In chapters 1, 2, and 3, he has laid out some broad concepts which Timothy needs to enforce in his congregation. This chapter specifically deals with the qualifications for leaders, including both elders and deacons. The next chapters will transition to Paul's warnings about certain dangers lurking around the Christian church.

First Timothy is one of Paul's three ''Pastoral Epistles.'' Paul's other letters, such as Romans, Ephesians, and Colossians, are meant for a broader audience. First Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are written to specific people whom Paul is advising on how to best lead their local churches. These three letters present a close look at the form and function of church leadership. First Timothy, like 2 Timothy and Titus, is less formal and systematic, and more personal. This gives great insight into the way pastors, deacons, and elders ought to prioritize their time and energy.

Accessed 12/21/2024 8:53:36 PM