1 Timothy 3 · Verse 13

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.

1 Timothy 3:13, King James Version

1 Timothy 3:13 in other translations

BSB	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.
WEB	For those who have served well gain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
ASV	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.
YLT	for those who did minister well a good step to themselves do acquire, and much boldness in faith that is in Christ Jesus.
DARBY	for those who shall have ministered well obtain for themselves a good degree, and much boldness in faith which is in Christ Jesus.
BBE	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.
Webster	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.

What does 1 Timothy 3:13 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

13. purchase to themselves a good degree--literally, "are acquiring ... a ... step." Understood by many as "a higher step," that is, promotion to the higher office of presbyter. But ambition of rising seems hardly the motive to faithfulness which the apostle would urge; besides, it would require the comparative, "a better degree." Then the past aorist participle, "they that used the office of deacon well," implies that the present verb, "are acquiring to themselves boldness," is the result of the completed action of using the diaconate well. Also, Paul would not probably hold out to every deacon the prospect of promotion to the presbytery in reward of his service. The idea of moving upwards in Church offices was as yet unknown (compare Ro 12:7, &c.; 1Co 12:4-11). Moreover, there seems little connection between reference to a higher Church rank and the words "great boldness." Therefore, what those who have faithfully discharged the diaconate acquire for themselves is "a good standing-place" [Alford] (a well-grounded hope of salvation) against the day of judgment, 1Ti 6:19; 1Co 3:13, 14 (the figurative meaning of "degree" or "step," being the degree of worth which one has obtained in the eye of God [Wiesinger]); and boldness (resting on that standing-place"), as well for preaching and admonishing others now (Ep 6:19; a firm standing forth for the truth against error), as also especially in relation to God their coming Judge, before whom they may be boldly confident (Ac 24:16; 1Jo 2:28; 3:21; 4:17; He 4:16). in the faith--rather as Greek, "in faith," that is, boldness resting on their own faith. which is in Christ Jesus--resting in Christ Jesus.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 13. For they that have used the office of a deacon well. Marg., 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 Acts 20:28.

A good degree. The word here used βαθμος 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, honour, or standing. So far as the word is concerned, it may mean either an advance in officer 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; 2Cor 3:12; Php 1:20. But the word is commonly used to denote boldness of any kind--openness, frankness, confidence, assurance. Jn 7:13,26, Mk 8:32, 2Cor 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.

(1) "used" "ministered" (b) "well" Mt 25:21 (+) "purchase" "acquire" (++) "degree" "an honourable rank" (c) "faith" 2Ti 2:1

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 13 That have used the office of a deacon well - They who, having been tried or proved, 1Tim 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

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

The deacons were at first appointed to distribute the charity of the church, and to manage its concerns, yet pastors and evangelists were among them. The deacons had a great trust reposed in them. They must be grave, serious, prudent men. It is not fit that public trusts should be lodged in the hands of any, till they are found fit for the business with which they are to be trusted. All who are related to ministers…

Read the full comment on 1 Timothy 3:8-13 →

1 Timothy 3:13 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

οἱhoiThoseG3588

γὰρgarforG1063

καλῶςkalōswellG2573

διακονήσαντεςdiakonēsanteshaving servedG1247

βαθμὸνbathmona standingG898

ἑαυτοῖςhe'autoisfor themselvesG1438

καλὸνkalongoodG2570

περιποιοῦνταιperipoiountaiacquireG4046

καὶkaiandG2532

πολλὴνpollēngreatG4183

παρρησίανparrēsianconfidenceG3954

ἐνeninG1722

πίστειpistei[the] faithG4102

τῇtēathat [is]G3588

ἐνeninG1722

ΧριστῷChristōChristG5547

Ἰησοῦ.¶IēsouJesus.G2424

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Timothy 3:13

Matthew 25:21
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Acts 6:15-7:53
And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. Then said the high priest, Are these things so? And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee. …
1 Peter 4:10-11
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Romans 12:7-8
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Philippians 1:14
And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Acts 21:35
And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.
Luke 16:10-12
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?
Acts 6:5
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
1 Thessalonians 2:2
But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
Matthew 20:28
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
1 Corinthians 16:15
I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

they.
Mt 25:21; Lu 16:10-12; 19:17
used. or, ministered.
Mt 20:28; Ro 12:7,8; 1Co 16:15; Heb 6:10; 1Pe 4:10,11
degree.
Ac 21:35; *Gr:
great.
Ac 6:5,8,15; 7:1-53; Php 1:14; 1Th 2:2; 2Ti 2:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

1 Timothy 3:12
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
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.
1 Timothy 3:14
These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:

Read all of 1 Timothy 3

1 Timothy 3:13 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Porque los que bien ministraren, ganan para sí buen grado, y mucha confianza en la fe que es en Cristo Jesús.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	car ceux qui ont bien servi acquièrent un bon degré pour eux et une grande hardiesse dans la foi qui est dans le christ Jésus.
German Elberfelder 1871	denn die, welche wohl gedient haben, erwerben sich eine schöne Stufe und viel Freimütigkeit im Glauben, der in Christo Jesu ist.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Qui enim bene ministraverint, gradum bonum sibi acquirent, et multam fiduciam in fide, quæ est in Christo Jesu.