Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Timothy 3:13

"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." — 1 Timothy 3:13 (ASV)

For they that have used the office of a deacon well. The marginal reading is ministered. The Greek word is the same as that for "deacon," meaning ministering, or serving in this office. The meaning would be well expressed by the phrase "deaconizing well." The word itself implies nothing about the exact nature of the office.

Purchase to themselves. This means to procure for themselves. For an explanation of this word, see the notes on Acts 20:28.

A good degree. The word used here, baymov, occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It properly means a step, like one on a staircase. Its clear meaning is that of ascending higher, or taking an additional step of dignity, honor, or standing. As far as the word itself is concerned, it may mean an advance in office, in dignity, in respectability, or in influence.

It cannot be definitively inferred that the apostle referred to a higher grade of office. 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 such piety, prudence, good sense, and ability to preside over the church that it was judged fitting for them to be advanced to the office of bishops or pastors of the churches. Such a course would not be unnatural. This, however, is far from teaching that the office of a deacon is a subordinate office, with a view to promotion to a higher grade.

And great boldness in the faith. The word translated here as "boldness" properly refers to boldness in speaking. This word is further explained in the notes on Acts 4:13, 2 Corinthians 3:12, and Philippians 1:20.

However, the word is commonly used to denote boldness of any kind—openness, frankness, confidence, or assurance. See John 7:13, 26; Mark 8:32; 2 Corinthians 7:4.

Since it is connected here with faith—"boldness in the faith"—it evidently means not so much public speaking, as a courageous and independent exercise of faith in Christ. The meaning is that by the faithful performance of the duties of the office of a deacon, and by the kind of experience a man would gain 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 justly 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 be promoted to that of a presbyter.