What Does 1 Timothy 3:13 Mean?

(13) **For they that have used the office of a deacon well.**—Better rendered, *for they that have served well as deacons.* It was with good reason that the Apostle laid great stress on the many and varied qualifications necessary for one undertaking the duties of a deacon of the Church—for very great indeed was the reward reserved for the true, loyal deacon when his work was over and done (and if for the man who had performed well his work in the lower office, *à fortiori* for the one who should faithfully fulfil the yet higher duties of an elder or overseer in the Church). **Purchase to themselves a good degree.**—Some scholars have suggested as a better rendering, “are acquiring (or *gaining*) to themselves a good standing. The old translation perhaps is best. Alford writes strikingly on the change of tense: “They that *have* used *are* acquiring or purchasing.” The Apostle having begun by placing himself at the great day of retribution, now shifts the scene and deals with their present conduct. “Those who shall then be found to have served well, &c. . . . are now, &c.” The “good degree” they are now purchasing by earnest, patient work may refer to advancement to the higher ministries of the Church, but, more probably, has reference to their future position in the blessed life to come. This is one of the passages not unfrequent in St. Paul’s Epistles, where degrees of glory among the redeemed are clearly spoken of. The plain words of St. Paul and his Master teach the people of God that although the great act of redemption alone belongs to Christ, that through His merits only men obtain salvation, still His own, will in a great measure determine, by their works and days on earth, the position they will occupy in His kingdom. **And great boldness.**—The true and faithful deacons not only will in the life to come win the great reward, but *here* the result of their loyal, earnest service would be, that before *men* they would do their work with serene, fearless confidence, and would at the same time be encouraged to approach that *heavenly Father* at all times with the loving trustfulness of children. **In the faith which is in Christ Jesus.**—Faith was the foundation of the “great boldness,” and *the faith* rested on Jesus Christ.