1 Timothy 3 13

1 Timothy 3:13 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.

1 Timothy 3:13 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.

1 Timothy 3:13 niv

Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 3:13 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.

1 Timothy 3:13 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.

1 Timothy 3 verses

1 Timothy 3 13 meaning

1 Timothy 3:13 outlines the positive outcomes for deacons who serve faithfully and competently within the church. It states that such devoted service leads to a reputable and esteemed position, earning them a "good standing" in the community. Furthermore, it bestows upon them "great boldness" or confidence in their personal Christian faith and in proclaiming the truths centered in Christ Jesus. This standing and boldness are a direct consequence and reward of their proven character and effective ministry.

1 Timothy 3 13 Context

h2This verse is situated within Paul’s instructions to Timothy regarding church leadership. Chapter 3 begins by detailing the qualifications for overseers (elders), highlighting their moral character, family life, and teaching ability. Following this, verses 8-12 lay out specific requirements for deacons, focusing on their integrity, trustworthiness, sobriety, and family management, including their wives. Verse 13 then serves as an encouragement, outlining the commendable outcomes for those who meet these qualifications and fulfill their diaconal duties faithfully. It explains the fruit of such consecrated service, providing an incentive for both deacons and the church to value and maintain high standards of ministry. Historically, in the early church, deacons played a vital role in practical service, managing physical needs and logistics, which freed up elders for teaching and prayer (cf. Acts 6:1-6). Their effective service directly impacted the church's witness and internal harmony in a society where status and reputation held significant weight.

1 Timothy 3 13 Word analysis

h2

• For (Οἱ γὰρ - Hoi gar): This introductory particle connects the outcome directly to the preceding discussion of diaconal qualifications and service, indicating a cause-and-effect relationship. It signifies "because of this" or "indeed, those who."
• those who have served well (καλῶς διακονήσαντες - kalōs diakonēsantes):
  • καλῶς (kalōs - well, rightly, nobly, honorably, properly): This adverb emphasizes the quality of the service. It’s not just about performing duties, but doing them excellently, fittingly, and in a way that honors God and the church.
  • διακονήσαντες (diakonēsantes - having served, ministered, from diakoneō): This is an aorist participle, indicating past action with present results. It explicitly points to the function of a deacon, tying back to the office discussed in the previous verses (1 Tim 3:8-12). It implies service rendered consistently and effectively over a period.
• obtain for themselves (περιποιοῦνται ἑαυτοῖς - peripoieountai heautois):
  • περιποιοῦνται (peripoieountai - they acquire, procure, gain for themselves): This verb suggests an active process of earning or achieving, indicating a positive acquisition through their own effort and character. It implies not a passive reception, but an outcome actively secured.
  • ἑαυτοῖς (heautois - for themselves): The reflexive pronoun emphasizes that the benefits (good standing and boldness) are personal to the faithful deacon; they are directly acquired by the individual who has served well.
• a good standing (βαθμὸν καλὸν - bathmon kalon):
  • βαθμὸν (bathmon - step, stage, grade, rank, position, standing): This crucial word can imply a level of respect, reputation, or a recognized position within the church. While some interpret it as a 'step up' toward eldership, the primary sense here is an esteemed and honored position or status in the community, earned by their integrity and effective service. It signifies progress in character and influence rather than an automatic promotion to a different office.
  • καλὸν (kalon - good, excellent, noble, honorable, praiseworthy): This adjective qualifies the "standing," denoting its admirable and highly regarded nature. It's a standing based on virtuous conduct and perceived excellence.
• and great boldness (καὶ πολλὴν παρρησίαν - kai pollēn parrhēsian):
  • πολλὴν (pollēn - much, great, abundant): Indicates a significant degree of boldness, not just a little.
  • παρρησίαν (parrhēsian - boldness, confidence, freedom of speech, frankness, courage): This refers to spiritual and moral courage. It’s a confidence rooted in a clear conscience and faithfulness to Christ. This boldness enables them to speak and act without fear or shame, both before God (in prayer and worship) and among people (in witnessing and ministry), because their lives affirm their message. It stems from the integrity of their service.
• in the faith (ἐν πίστει - en pistei): This phrase describes the sphere or context of their boldness. Their confidence is deeply embedded in or through their commitment to the Christian faith. It refers to both their personal trust in God and the body of Christian doctrine.
• that is in Christ Jesus (τῇ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ - tē en Christō Iēsou): This further specifies the nature and object of "the faith." It is unequivocally the Christian faith centered on and defined by Jesus Christ. Their boldness is rooted in their identity "in Christ" and their adherence to the truths he embodied and taught.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For those who have served well as deacons": This establishes the target group—those specifically serving in the diaconal office—and the prerequisite condition for the subsequent benefits: excellent and faithful service, not merely perfunctory duty. This foundational aspect highlights character-driven ministry.
• "obtain for themselves a good standing": This phrase emphasizes the internal recognition and external reputation earned by such deacons. It's not an imposed rank, but an acquired esteem, signifying growth in respect and moral authority within the church community, often implying fitness for greater influence or leadership.
• "and great boldness": This highlights a profound spiritual quality. It suggests freedom from shame or fear in their spiritual life and public expression of faith. It's born out of integrity, a clear conscience before God, and the affirmation of their faithful service.
• "in the faith that is in Christ Jesus": This defines the realm and source of their boldness. Their courage is intrinsically tied to their genuine, active, and Christ-centered faith. It's not worldly arrogance but spiritual conviction stemming from their relationship with Jesus.

1 Timothy 3 13 Bonus section

h2

• The "good standing" can be understood as a deeper rooting in spiritual maturity and public honor, making them a pillar within the church structure and an example for other believers. This internal and external validation solidifies their influence and the trust placed in them.
• The connection between a clear conscience, integrity, and boldness is a consistent biblical theme. Faithful service (often involving humbling tasks) cultivates a conscience unburdened by hidden sin or negligence, directly contributing to this spiritual boldness.
• This verse can be seen as an implicit challenge to any who might view practical, behind-the-scenes ministry as less significant than public preaching or teaching. It affirms the intrinsic value and spiritual rewards of dedicated diaconal service, placing it squarely within God's honorable plan for the church.
• The language suggests an active "earning" of these benefits, not in a legalistic sense, but as natural consequences of consistent, God-honoring conduct. This reinforces the principle that diligence in spiritual duties yields spiritual fruit in one's life and ministry.

1 Timothy 3 13 Commentary

h21 Timothy 3:13 serves as both an incentive and a recognition of profound spiritual truth: dedicated service in the church brings substantial spiritual rewards. For deacons, whose primary role involves practical service, faithfully carrying out their duties is not overlooked. "A good standing" signifies a respected position and reputation earned within the believing community, born from consistent character and reliable ministry. This isn't necessarily a guaranteed promotion to an elder but a growth in influence and honor that enables them to contribute more effectively. Parallel to this standing is "great boldness," which is a holy confidence, uninhibited and frank, in expressing their faith and relating to God and others. This boldness flows from a clear conscience, the integrity of their life, and the conviction of their saving relationship "in Christ Jesus." Their visible and noble service, in essence, strengthens their internal conviction and external witness, demonstrating that practical ministry is indeed a vital, honorable, and spiritually enriching facet of the Christian life.