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King James Version

1 Timothy 3:13

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.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Church;   Commandments;   Deacon;   Minister, Christian;   Thompson Chain Reference - Boldness;   Leaders;   Ministers;   Religious;   The Topic Concordance - Deacons;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Boldness, Holy;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Paul;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Church, the;   Ministry, Minister;   Timothy, First and Second, Theology of;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Deacon;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Eve;   Minister;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Church;   Deacon;   Offices in the New Testament;   Titus, Epistle to;   1 Timothy;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Bishop;   Church Government;   Deacon;   Minister;   Ministry;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Boldness;   Church (2);   Minister Ministry;   Parousia;   Timothy and Titus Epistles to;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Deacon,;   Stephen;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Deacon;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Boldness;   Church;   Church Government;   Degree;   Purchase;   Spiritual Gifts;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for December 1;  

Parallel Translations

English Standard Version
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.
Geneva Bible (1587)
For they that haue ministred well, get them selues a good degree, and great libertie in the faith, which is in Christ Iesus.
Christian Standard Bible®
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.
Hebrew Names Version
For those who have served well as shammashim gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Messiah Yeshua.
Darby Translation
for those who shall have ministered well obtain for themselves a good degree, and much boldness in faith which [is] in Christ Jesus.
Easy-to-Read Version
Those who do well as special servants are making an honorable place for themselves. And they will feel very sure of their faith in Christ Jesus.
Amplified Bible
For those who have served well as deacons gain a high standing [having a good reputation among the congregation], and great confidence in the faith which is [founded on and centered] in Christ Jesus.
American Standard Version
For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Berean Standard Bible
For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Contemporary English Version
Those who serve well as officers will earn a good reputation and will be highly respected for their faith in Christ Jesus.
Complete Jewish Bible
For those who serve well as shammashim gain good standing for themselves and much boldness in the trust that comes through Yeshua the Messiah.
International Standard Version
Those deacons who serve well gain an excellent reputation for themselves and will have great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.Matthew 25:21;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
For they who minister well, a good degree acquire for themselves, and much openness of face in the faith of Jeshu Meshiha.
Murdock Translation
13 For they who serve well [fn] , procure for themselves a good degree, and much boldness in the faith of Jesus the Messiah.
King James Version (1611)
For they that haue vsed the office of a Deacon well, purchase to themselues a good degree, and great boldnesse in the faith, which is in Christ Iesus.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For they that haue ministred well, get them selues a good degree, and great libertie in the fayth [whiche is] in Christe Iesus.
English Revised Version
For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Lexham English Bible
For those who have served well acquire a good standing for themselves, and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Literal Translation
For those having served well gain a good grade for themselves and much boldness in faith, those in Christ Jesus.
New American Standard Bible
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.
New Century Version
Those who serve well as deacons are making an honorable place for themselves, and they will be very bold in their faith in Christ Jesus.
New English Translation
For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
New King James Version
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.
New Living Translation
Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
New Revised Standard
for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For, they who have ministered well, a good degree for themselves, are acquiring, and great freedom of speech in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Douay-Rheims Bible
For they that have ministered well shall purchase to themselves a good degree and much confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
George Lamsa Translation
For those who minister well earn good recognition for themselves and grow more familiar with the faith of Jesus Christ.
Good News Translation
Those helpers who do their work well win for themselves a good standing and are able to speak boldly about their faith in Christ Jesus.
World English Bible
For those who have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
For they that have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree and much boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Weymouth's New Testament
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.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For thei that mynystren wel, schulen gete a good degre to hem silf, and myche triste in the feith, that is in Crist Jhesu.
Webster's Bible Translation
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.
Revised Standard Version
for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
For they that minister well get them selves good degre and greate libertie in the fayth which is in Christ Iesu.
Update Bible Version
For they having served well gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Young's Literal Translation
for those who did minister well a good step to themselves do acquire, and much boldness in faith that [is] in Christ Jesus.
Bible in Basic English
For those who have done good work as Deacons get for themselves a good position and become free from fear in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For they that mynister well, get them selues a good degree and greate libertye in the faith which is in Christ Iesu.
Mace New Testament (1729)
for they who duly discharge that office, prepare their way to a higher degree, and may promote the christian faith with the greater freedom.
New Life Bible
Those who work well as church helpers will be respected by others and their own faith in Christ Jesus will grow.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Those who are good jigger bosses will be rewarded with respect from all and their trophy buckle will be a bigger faith in Jesus Christ.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
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.
Legacy Standard Bible
For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Contextual Overview

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 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.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

they: Matthew 25:21, Luke 16:10-12, Luke 19:17

used: or, ministered, Matthew 20:28, Romans 12:7, Romans 12:8, 1 Corinthians 16:15, Hebrews 6:10, 1 Peter 4:10, 1 Peter 4:11

degree: Acts 21:35,*Gr.

great: Acts 6:5, Acts 6:8, Acts 6:15, Acts 7:1-53, Philippians 1:14, 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:1

Reciprocal: 2 Corinthians 3:12 - plainness 1 Timothy 3:10 - use

Cross-References

Genesis 3:4
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Genesis 3:6
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Genesis 3:9
And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
Genesis 3:10
And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Genesis 3:12
And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
Genesis 44:15
And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?
1 Samuel 13:11
And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;
2 Samuel 3:24
Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?
John 18:35
Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
1 Timothy 2:14
And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

Gill's Notes on the 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 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 דרגא דמהימנותא, "a degree of faith": b 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.

b Zohar in Exod. fol. 36. 3.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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 the phrase, “deaconizing well.” The “word” implies nothing as to the exact nature of the office.

Purchase to themselves - Procure for themselves; see this word explained in the notes on Acts 20:28.

A good degree - The word here used (βαθμός bathmos) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, properly, “a step,” as of a stair; and the fair meaning is that of going up higher, or taking an additional step of dignity, honor, or standing. So far as the “word” is concerned, it may mean either an advance in office, in dignity, in respectability, or in influence. It cannot certainly be inferred that the apostle referred to a higher grade of “office;” for all that the word essentially conveys is, that, by exercising this office well, a deacon would secure additional respectability and influence in the church. Still, it is possible that those who had performed the duties of this office well were appointed to be preachers. They may have shown so much piety, prudence, good sense, and ability to preside over the church, that it was judged proper that they should be advanced to the office of bishops or pastors of the churches. Such a course would not be unnatural. This is, however, far from teaching that the office of a deacon is a subordinate office, “with a view” to an ascent to a higher grade.

And great boldness in the faith - The word here rendered “boldness” properly refers to boldness “in speaking;” see it explained in the Acts 4:13 note; 2 Corinthians 3:12 note; Philippians 1:20 note. But the word is commonly used to denote boldness of any kind - openness, frankness, confidence, assurance; John 8:13, John 8:26; Mark 8:32; 2 Corinthians 7:4. As it is here connected with “faith” - “boldness in the faith” - it means, evidently, not so much public speaking, as a manly and independent exercise of faith in Christ. The sense is, that by the faithful performance of the duties of the office of a deacon, and by the kind of experience which a man would have in that office, he would establish a character of firmness in the faith, which would show that he was a decided Christian. This passage, therefore, cannot be fairly used to prove that the deacon was “a preacher,” or that he belonged to a grade of ministerial office from which he was regularly to rise to that of a presbyter.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

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 higher office, are here said to have purchased to themselves a good degree, βαθμον καλον. for, instead of having to administer to the bodies and bodily wants of the poor, the faithful deacons were raised to minister in holy things; and, instead of ministering the bread that perisheth, they were raised to the presbyterate or episcopate, to minister the bread of life to immortal souls. And hence the apostle adds; And great boldness in the faith; πολλην παρῥησιαν, great liberty of speech; i.e. in teaching the doctrines of Christianity, and in expounding the Scriptures, and preaching. It seems to have been a practice dictated by common sense, that the most grave and steady of the believers should be employed as deacons; the most experienced and zealous of the deacons should be raised to the rank of elders; and the most able and pious of the elders be consecrated bishops. As to a bishop of bishops, that age did not know such. The pope of Rome was the first who took this title. The same office, but not with the same powers nor abuse, is found in the patriarch of the Greek Church, and the archbishop of the Protestant Church. As the deacon had many private members under his care, so the presbyter or elder had several deacons under his care; the bishop, several presbyters; and the archbishop, several bishops. But I speak now more of the modern than of the ancient Church. The distinction in some of these offices is not so apparent in ancient times; and some of the offices themselves are modern, or comparatively so. But deacon, presbyter, and bishop, existed in the apostolic Church, and may therefore be considered of Divine origin.


 
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