SEV Biblia, Chapter 3:9
que tengan el misterio de la fe juntamente con limpia conciencia.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:9
Verse 9. Holding the mystery of the faith] Instead of thv pistewv, the faith, one MS. (the readings of which are found in the margin of a copy of Mill's Greek text in the Bodleian library, and which is marked 61 in Griesbach) reads anastasewv, of the resurrection. This reading, like many others in this MS., is found nowhere else; and is worthy of little regard, but as expressing what appeared to the writer to be the apostle's meaning. One of the greatest mysteries of the faith was undoubtedly the resurrection of the dead; and this was held in a pure conscience when the person so exercised himself as to have a conscience void of offense towards God and towards men. See Acts xxiv. 16. What has been since called Antinomianism, that is, making void the moral law, by a pretended faith in the righteousness of Christ, is that which the apostle has here particularly in view.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 9. Holding the mystery of the faith , etc.] The doctrine of the Gospel, called the faith, because it contains things to be believed; proposes Christ the object of faith; is the means by which faith comes, and is unprofitable without it: it is called the mystery, because it is of divine revelation, and could have never been discovered by human reason; and now it is revealed, the modus of many things contained in it remains a mystery; several of the doctrines of it are mysterious ones, particularly the doctrine of the Trinity; and which the ancient Jews call by this very name, atwnmyhmd azr , the mystery of faith; the incarnation of the Son of God, the union of the saints to Christ, and their communion with him, and the resurrection of the dead, with others. Now this mysterious doctrine of faith is to be held by deacons; they are to profess it, and to hold fast the profession of it and that in a pure conscience ; with a conscience sprinkled by the blood of Christ; with a conscience void of offence both towards God and man; with a suitable life and conversation; a conversation becoming the Gospel of Christ, and by which it is adorned: and this part of their character is necessary, that such may be able to instruct and establish those who are weak in the faith, and oppose and refute the erroneous, and also recommend the Gospel by their own example; otherwise should their principles or practices be bad, their influence on others might be very pernicious and fatal.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 8-13 - The deacons were at first appointed to distribute the charity of the church, and to manage its concerns, yet pastors and evangelists wer among them. The deacons had a great trust reposed in them. They must be grave, serious, prudent men. It is not fit that public trusts should be lodged in the hands of any, till they are found fit for the busines with which they are to be trusted. All who are related to ministers must take great care to walk as becomes the gospel of Christ.
Greek Textus Receptus
εχοντας 2192 5723 το 3588 μυστηριον 3466 της 3588 πιστεως 4102 εν 1722 καθαρα 2513 συνειδησει 4893
Vincent's NT Word Studies
9. The mystery of the faith (to musthrion thv pistewv). The phrase N.T. '. In the Gospels only, mystery or mysteries of the kingdom of God or of heaven. In Paul, mystery or mysteries of God, of his will, of Christ, of the gospel, of iniquity, the mystery kept secret or hidden away. Several times without qualification, the mystery or mysteries. See on 2 Thessalonians ii. 7. The mystery of the faith is the subject - matter of the faith; the truth which is its basis, which was kept hidden from the world until revealed at the appointed time, and which is a secret to ordinary eyes, but is made known by divine revelation. Comp. Rom. xvi. 25; Eph. iii. 9; Col. i. 26; 1 Corinthians. ii. 7. For the faith see on Gal. i. 23, and comp. Introduction to these Epistles, VI.
In a pure conscience (en kaqara suneidhsei). Comp. 2 Tim. i. 3, 5, 19. Const. with holding. The emphasis of the passage is on these words. They express conscientious purity and sincerity in contrast with those who are described as branded in their own conscience, and thus causing their followers to fall away from the faith (ch. iv. 1, 2). The passage illustrates the peculiar treatment of "faith" in these Epistles, in emphasising its ethical aspect and its ethical environment. This is not contrary to Paul's teaching, nor does it go to the extent of substituting morals for faith as the condition of salvation and eternal life. See 2 Timothy i. 9; ii. 1; Tit. iii. 5. Nonetheless, there is a strong and habitual emphasis on good works (see 1 Tim. ii. 10; v. 10; vi. 18; 2 Tim. ii. 21; iii. 17; Tit. i. 16; ii. 7, 14; iii. 1, 8, 14), and faith is placed in a series of practical duties (see 1 Tim. i. 5, 14; ii. 15; iv. 12; 2 Tim. i. 13; 1 Timothy i. 19; ii. 7; iii. 9; vi. 11; 2 Tim. ii. 22; iii. 10). "Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience" is a significant association of faith with ethics. As Weiss puts it: "It is as if the pure conscience were the vessel in which the mystery of the faith is preserved." The idea is sound and valuable. A merely intellectual attitude toward the mystery which, in every age, attaches to the faith, will result in doubt, questioning, and wordy strife (see 1 Tim. vi. 4; 2 Tim. ii. 23; Tit. iii. 9), sometimes in moral laxity, sometimes in despair. Loyalty and duty to God are compatible with more or less ignorance concerning the mystery. An intellect, however powerful and active, joined with an impure conscience, cannot solve but only aggravates the mystery; whereas a pure and loyal conscience, and a frank acceptance of imposed duty along with mystery, puts one in the best attitude for attaining whatever solution is possible. See John vii. 17.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
3:9 {The mystery of the faith} (to musterion tes pistews). "The inner secret of the faith," the revelation given in Christ. See for musterion in Paul (#2Th 2:7; 1Co 2:7; Ro 16:25; Col 1:26; Eph 3:9). {In a pure conscience} (en kaqarai suneidesei). See #1:19. "The casket in which the jewel is to be kept" (Lock).
