| Geneva Study Bible Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. People's New Testament 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith. The gospel, God's revealed mystery to all believers. Wesley's Notes 3:9 Holding fast the faith in a pure conscience - Steadfast in faith, holy in heart and life. Scofield Reference Notes Margin mystery 1Tim 3:16 See Scofield Note: "Mt 13:11" Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 9. the mystery of the faith-holding the faith, which to the natural man remains a mystery, but which has been revealed by the Spirit to them (Ro 16:25; 1Co 2:7-10), in a pure conscience (1Ti 1:5, 19). ("Pure," that is, in which nothing base or foreign is intermixed [Tittmann]). Though deacons were not ordinarily called on to preach (Stephen and Philip are not exceptions to this, since it was as evangelists, rather than as deacons, they preached), yet as being office-bearers in the Church, and having much intercourse with all the members, they especially needed to have this characteristic, which every Christian ought to have. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 3:8-13 The deacons were at first appointed to distribute the charity of the church, and to manage its concerns, yet pastors and evangelists were 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 business 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. | 
