1 Timothy 3:9,1 Timothy 3:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:8-13

We have here the character of deacons: these had the care of the temporal concerns of the church, that is, the maintenance of the ministers and provision for the poor: they served tables, while the ministers or bishops gave themselves only to the ministry of the word and prayer, Acts 6:2, 4. Of the institution of this office, with that which gave occasion to it, you have an account in Acts 6:1-7. Now it was requisite that deacons should have a good character, because they were assistants to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 3:8-10

3:8-10,12,13 In the same way, the deacons must be men of dignity, men who are straight, men who are not given to over-indulgence in wine, men who are not prepared to stoop to disgraceful ways of making money; they must hold the secret of the faith which has been revealed to them with a clear conscience. The deacons too must first of all be put upon probation, and, if they emerge blameless from the test, let them become deacons.... Deacons must be married only once; they must manage their own... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:9

Holding the mystery of the faith ,.... The doctrine of the Gospel, called the "faith", because it contains things to be believed; proposes Christ the object of faith; is the means by which faith comes, and is unprofitable without it: it is called "the mystery", because it is of divine revelation, and could have never been discovered by human reason; and now it is revealed, the modus of many things contained in it remains a mystery; several of the doctrines of it are mysterious ones,... read more

Adam Clarke

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:1-13

I. QUALIFICATIONS OF A BISHOP . Preliminary direction to Timothy . "Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work." The Scripture idea of the episcopate is that of oversight , viz. of souls. A bishop was one who had the duty of overseeing a congregation in spiritual matters, being, in respect of gravity and dignity, called presbyter or elder. Timothy was to encourage any who sought to enter into the episcopate. The saying in Christian... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:1-16

It was one of the weightiest duties laid upon Timothy, when called to be the spiritual ruler of the Church of Ephesus, to take care that the priests and deacons were men well qualified for their holy office. The condition of a congregation depends so largely upon the spiritual character of those who minister to it, that the choice of fit persons to serve in the sacred ministry of God's Church is a matter of vital importance to the welfare of the people, and demands the utmost wisdom and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:9

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. ΄υστήριον , a mystery, is that which, having been long hidden, is at length disclosed, either to men generally or to elect disciples. It is derived from μυέω , to initiate, of which the passive μυέομαι , to be instructed or initiated, is found in Philippians 4:12 , and is common in classical Greek, being itself derived from μύω , "to close the lips as in pronouncing the syllable μῦ ," whence also taurus . The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Timothy 3:9

Holding the mystery of the faith - On the word “mystery,” see notes on 1 Corinthians 2:7. It means that which had been concealed, or hidden, but which was now revealed. The word “faith” here, is synonymous with “the gospel;” and the sense is, that he should hold firmly the great doctrines of the Christian religion which had been so long concealed from people, but which were now revealed. The reason is obvious. Though not a preacher, yet his influence and example would be great, and a man who... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Timothy 3:8-9

1 Timothy 3:8-9. Likewise the deacons Of whom see on Acts 6:3-4, and Philippians 1:1; must be grave Or serious, as some render σεμνους : men of a steady, decent, and venerable behaviour. No mention is made of presbyters, or elders, as distinct from bishops; evidently because (as has been observed on 1 Timothy 3:1, and Php 1:1 ) they were not distinct from them; but the two names were used promiscuously for the same persons. Not double-tongued Deceitful and dissembling, speaking one... read more

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