1 Timothy 3 · Verse 9

1 Timothy 3:9

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
1 Timothy 3:9, King James Version

1 Timothy 3:9 in other translations

BSBThey must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
WEBholding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
ASVholding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
YLThaving the secret of the faith in a pure conscience,
DARBYholding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
BBEKeeping the secret of the faith in a heart free from sin.
WebsterHolding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

What does 1 Timothy 3:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
9. the mystery of the faith--holding the faith, which to the natural man remains a mystery, but which has been revealed by the Spirit to them (Ro 16:25; 1Co 2:7-10), in a pure conscience (1Ti 1:5, 19). ("Pure," that is, in which nothing base or foreign is intermixed [Tittmann]). Though deacons were not ordinarily called on to preach (Stephen and Philip are not exceptions to this, since it was as evangelists, rather than as deacons, they preached), yet as being office-bearers in the Church, and having much intercourse with all the members, they especially needed to have this characteristic, which every Christian ought to have.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 9. Holding the mystery of the faith. On the word mystery, 1Cor 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 men, 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 held material error, ought not to be in the office.

In a pure conscience. A mere orthodox faith was not all that was necessary, for it was possible that a man might be professedly firm in the belief of the truths of revelation, and yet be corrupt at heart.

(c) "the mystery" Eph 1:9 (d) "of the faith" 1Timm 3:16

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 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 the resurrection of the dead; and this was held in a pure conscience when the person so exercised himself as to have a conscience void of offense towards God and towards men. See Act 24:16. What has been since called Antinomianism, that is, making void the moral law, by a pretended faith in the righteousness of Christ, is that which the apostle has here particularly in view.

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 3:9 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.

ἔχονταςechontasholdingG2192
τὸtoto theG3588
μυστήριονmustērionmysteryG3466
τῆςtēsof theG3588
πίστεωςpisteōsfaithG4102
ἐνenwithG1722
καθαρᾷkatharaclearG2513
συνειδήσει.suneidēseia conscience.G4893

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

Cross references for 1 Timothy 3:9

  • 1 Timothy 1:19

    Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

  • 2 John 1:9-10

    Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

  • 1 Timothy 1:5

    Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

  • 1 Timothy 3:16

    And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Holding.
1:5,19
the mystery.
16; 2Jo 1:9,10

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

Context

  • 1 Timothy 3:8

    Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

  • 1 Timothy 3:9

    Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

  • 1 Timothy 3:10

    And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

Read all of 1 Timothy 3

1 Timothy 3:9 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Que tengan el misterio de la fe con limpia conciencia.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		gardant le mystère de la foi dans une conscience pure;
German
Elberfelder 1871		die das Geheimnis des Glaubens in reinem Gewissen bewahren.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		habentes mysterium fidei in conscientia pura.