The Mystery of Faith 1 Timothy 3:9

As Paul the apostle began to give Timothy his “son in the faith” instructions concerning different people and offices within the church, he added “deacons” to his list. “Deacons” or “ministers, servants or attendants” were to be “grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine” and “not greedy of filthy lucre;”. In chapter three and verse nine Paul added the trait of “holding the mystery of the faith” to the list of the “deacons” requirements where we read:

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

The verse begins, “Holding the mystery of the faith...” Paul employed the word, “Holding” which means “owning, possessing, clinging to or adhering to” “the mystery” or “hidden or secret” “of the faith” which refers to “conviction of the truth of anything and belief that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ, and that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God”. With conviction the deacon was to hold to, cling to and own the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The verse continues, “...in a pure conscience.” Paul included a manner in which the “deacons” should hold “the mystery of faith” “in a pure” or “cleansed, purified, and chaste, free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt, free from every admixture of what is false, sincere genuine, blameless, innocent, unstained with the guilt of anything” “conscience” which refers to “the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending one and condemning the other”. In other words the “deacons” were to free from the guilt of any moral impropriety as they held the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As we ponder Paul's words concerning “deacons”, we might benefit from asking ourselves whether we hold “the mystery of the faith” with a “pure conscience”. Is there anything within us that would be indited for not being so? Is there conviction from the Holy Spirit concerning any area in our lives? “Deacons” were and are held to a high standard because of their visibility and position within the church, and we also are more visible to others than we know. Let us always be sure to live our lives in a “free from guilt” manner so that others may bear witness of our trust and faith in the Lord Jesus.

Next time Paul shares more requirements for “deacons”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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