Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Timothy 3:9

"holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience." — 1 Timothy 3:9 (ASV)

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.—The thought again comes to the surface—mere orthodoxy without the Christ-life was an empty, useless characteristic in anyone; but here the man of God, writing to his dear son these solemn warnings respecting fit and proper persons to be chosen for their Master’s work, also has, in these words, another end in view. He had been dwelling with great earnestness on the outward characteristics a deacon of the Church should possess—a high and stainless reputation—the considerable respect his former way of life had earned for him among unbelievers as well as believers; but, in addition to these things, it was absolutely necessary for one occupying such a position to know something of the deeper spiritual life—he must hold the mystery of the faith.

Now, what does St. Paul mean by the mystery? He speaks of it as “a treasure” that must be held in the casket of a pure conscience. This mystery was something that was sometimes hidden but was now revealed by the advent of St. Paul’s Master, and it encompassed the truths of the redemption, the atonement, and the mighty cleansing powers of the precious blood of Christ.

These—the master truths of Christianity—the appointed teacher must firmly grasp; and the true deacon, whose office was rather to administer than to preach to the people, must also be especially careful to show that he lived the life he professed to teach; or, in St. Paul’s own simile, must preserve the casket in which the precious mystery was enshrined, holy and undefiled before men—he must hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.