1 Timothy 3:13

1 Timothy 3:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Context of 1 Timothy 3:13

11In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 12A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. 14Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

1 Timothy 3:13 word by word

οἱ γὰρ καλῶς διακονήσαντες βαθμὸν ἑαυτοῖς καλὸν περιποιοῦνται καὶ πολλὴν παρρησίαν ἐν πίστει τῇ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• they that have used the office of a deaconδιακονέωdiakoneō · to serveG1247
• wellκαλῶςkalōs · wellG2573
• purchaseπεριποιέωperipoieomai · to gainG4046
• to themselvesἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
• a goodκαλόςkalos · goodG2570
• degreeβαθμόςbathmos · standingG898
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• greatπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• boldnessπαρρησίαparrhēsia · boldnessG3954
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the faithπίστιςpistis · faithG4102
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424

Cross-references for 1 Timothy 3:13

• Matthew 25:21“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
• Luke 16:10“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
• Luke 19:17“ ‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’
• Matthew 20:28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
• Romans 12:7if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;
• 1 Corinthians 16:15You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters,
• Hebrews 6:10God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
• 1 Peter 4:10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
• Acts 21:35When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers.
• Acts 6:5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
• Acts 7:1Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”
• Philippians 1:14And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:2We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.
• 2 Timothy 2:1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 3:13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13That 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, · 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…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13For they that have used the office of a deacon well - Margin, “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 in the notes on Acts 20:28. A good degree - The word here used ( ́ bathmos) occurs nowhere…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-13Verses 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, must take great care to…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8-13The Greek word for deacon means "servant, assistant, messenger, or agent." Its related words mean "service" or "to serve" and often refer to any kind of service (for example, 4:6; Matthew 22:13; John 2:5; 12:26; Romans 13:4; 1 Corinthians 3:5). When plainly referring to a church office, it appears only in 1 Timothy 3:8–13; Philippians 1:1; and possibly Romans 16:1. Here the passage focuses on character rather than activities. See also study note on Acts…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. 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…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Timothy 3:13

• Church
• Commandments
• Deacon
• Minister, Christian

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Jesus
• Christ, Messiah
• Jesus, Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus
• Christ, Jesus
• Bishop
• Blameless
• Controversy
• Covetous
• Degree

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings