1 Timothy 3:9 — … holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
Our church is just electing deacons at the moment, so perhaps it’s a good time to refer to this passage in Paul’s letter to his beloved Timothy, where he discusses the qualifications for this important church office.
Deacon’s must be well respected, and must be tried and tested — and then in the middle of Paul’s list of “must haves” we find this core requirement. The deacons, we should remember, were appointed to take the tasks of service off the shoulders of the apostles — and so they should do nothing to blemish their reputation.
Deacon’s must be men who know and understand the truths of Christianity. Those truths are not just things that can be learned from books … They are “the mystery of the faith”. They are the things which were once hidden, but which have been revealed to those who can hold it “with a clear conscience” — with their Godly walk matching their Godly talk.
“Holding the mystery of faith with a clear conscience” is surely not just a qualification for a deacons. It must apply to all of us. And the idea is a little more than just a matter of living up to what we profess. “Holding the mystery of faith with a clear conscience” suggest the idea of holding our beliefs like our dearest treasure, deep in our hearts. It’s not just a matter of faith gained by study — head knowledge alone will lead to questioning, uncertainty and doubt.
The issue that is on my mind is the idea that in our churches those of us who are not deacons cannot simply sit back and say “service is what the deacons do, so I don’t have to bother”. Every Christian is called into service and to be a witness. Every Christian, therefore, should strive to meet the character standard of the deacons, and to seek to follow David who said “Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” (Psalms 119:11 NASB)
A couple of other translations of 1 Timothy 3:9 add a some other truths to reflect on.
The mystery of the faith has been hidden in two ways. Firstly, it was hidden in time, kept until Jesus came. Secondly, it is hidden now, from all but Christians.
Lastly, these few words carry the idea that, as it is a treasure, we should fiercely protect the mystery of the faith, being “ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear:” (1 Peter 3:15 KJVA)
In these few short words of Paul I see a charge to take very seriously, and I will seek to guard my treasure carefully!