1 Timothy 3:8-13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:9

Holding the mystery of the faith - Instead of της πιστεως , the faith, one MS. (the readings of which are found in the margin of a copy of Mill's Greek text in the Bodleian library, and which is marked 61 in Griesbach) reads αναστασεως , of the resurrection. This reading, like many others in this MS., is found nowhere else; and is worthy of little regard, but as expressing what appeared to the writer to be the apostle's meaning. One of the greatest mysteries of the faith was undoubtedly... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:10

Let these - be proved - Let them not be young converts, or persons lately brought to the knowledge of the truth. This is the same in spirit with what is required of the bishops, 1 Timothy 3:6 . Let no man be put into an office in the Church till he has given full proof of his sincerity and steadiness, by having been for a considerable time a consistent private member of the Church. Being found blameless - Ανεγκλητοι οντες· Being irreproachable; persons against whom no evil can be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:11

Even so must their wives be grave - I believe the apostle does not mean here the wives either of the bishops or deacons in particular, but the Christian women in general. The original is simply: Γυναικας ὡσαυτως σεμνας· Let the women likewise be grave. Whatever is spoken here becomes women in general; but if the apostle had those termed deaconesses in his eye, which is quite possible, the words are peculiarly suitable to them. That there was such an order in the apostolic and primitive... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:12

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife - This is the same that is required of the bishops. See on 1 Timothy 3:2 ; (note) 1 Timothy 3:4 ; (note), and 1 Timothy 3:5 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:13

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... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:8

Verse 8 8Likewise the deacons There is no reason why the diversity of interpretations should lead us to entertain any doubt. It is certain that time Apostle speaks of those who hold a public office in the Church; and this refutes the opinion of those who think that domestic servants are here meant. As to the view given by others, that it denotes presbyters who are inferior to the bishop, that is without foundation; for it is manifest from other passages, that the term bishop belongs alike to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:9

Verse 9 9Holding the mystery of faith As if he had said, “Holding the pure doctrine of religion, and that from the heart, with a sincere fear of God;” or, “Being well instructed in the faith, so as not to be ignorant of anything which it is necessary for Christians to know.” He gives to the sum of Christian doctrine the honorable appellation of a mystery; as indeed God, through the gospel, reveals to men on earth a wisdom which angels in heaven behold with admiration, and, therefore, we need... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:10

Verse 10 10And let those be first tried He wishes that they who are chosen should not be unknown, but that their integrity should be ascertained, like that of the bishops. And hence it is evident, that they are called blameless who are not stained by any marked vice. Besides, this trial is not for a single hour, but consists in long experience. In a word, when deacons are to be ordained, the choice must not fall at random, and without selection, on any that come to hand, but those men are to be... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:11

Verse 11 11.Likewise the wives He means the wives both of deacons and of bishops, for they must be aids to their husbands in their office; which cannot be, unless their behavior excel that of others. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 3:12

Verse 12 Let the deacons be Since he mentioned wives, he lays down the same injunction about deacons as he had formerly down about bishops; namely, that each of them — satisfied within having but one wife — shall set an example of a chaste and honorable father of a family, and shall keep his children and his whole house under holy discipline. And this refutes the error of those who understand this passage as referring to domestic servants. (65) read more

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