1 Timothy 3:9
New International Version
They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

New Living Translation
They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.

English Standard Version
They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

Berean Standard Bible
They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

Berean Literal Bible
holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

King James Bible
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

New King James Version
holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.

New American Standard Bible
but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

NASB 1995
but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

NASB 1977
but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

Legacy Standard Bible
but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

Amplified Bible
but upholding and fully understanding the mystery [that is, the true doctrine] of the [Christian] faith with a clear conscience [resulting from behavior consistent with spiritual maturity].

Christian Standard Bible
holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

American Standard Version
holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But they should hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

Contemporary English Version
And they must have a clear conscience and hold firmly to what God has shown us about our faith.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience.

English Revised Version
holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They must have clear consciences about possessing the mystery of the Christian faith.

Good News Translation
they should hold to the revealed truth of the faith with a clear conscience.

International Standard Version
They must hold firmly to the secret of the faith with clear consciences.

Literal Standard Version
having the secret of the faith in a pure conscience,

Majority Standard Bible
They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

New American Bible
holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

NET Bible
holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

New Revised Standard Version
they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

New Heart English Bible
holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

Webster's Bible Translation
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

Weymouth New Testament
but holding the secret truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

World English Bible
holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

Young's Literal Translation
having the secret of the faith in a pure conscience,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Qualifications for Deacons
8Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money. 9They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.…

Cross References
1 Timothy 1:5
The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.

1 Timothy 1:19
holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith.


Treasury of Scripture

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

Holding.

1 Timothy 1:5,19
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: …

the mystery.

1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

2 John 1:9,10
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son…

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Clear Conscience Deep Faith Free Heart Hold Holding Keeping Mystery Pure Secret Sin Truths
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Clear Conscience Deep Faith Free Heart Hold Holding Keeping Mystery Pure Secret Sin Truths
1 Timothy 3
1. How bishops, deacons, and their wives should be qualified;
14. and to what end Paul wrote to Timothy of these things.
15. Of the church, and the blessed truth therein taught and professed.














(9) 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 feature in any one; 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, has besides in these words another end in view. He had been dwelling with great earnestness on the outward characteristics which a deacon of the Church should possess--the high and stainless name--the generous respect which his old way of living had won for him among unbelievers as well as with believers; but, in addition to these things, it was absolutely necessary for one occupying such a post 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" which must be held in the casket of a pure conscience. This mystery was what was sometimes hidden, but which was now revealed by the advent of St. Paul's Master, and comprehended the truths of the redemption, the atonement, and mighty cleansing powers of the precious blood of Christ. These--the master truths of Christianity--must the appointed teacher firmly grasp; and the true deacon, whose office it 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 shrined, holy and undefiled before men--he must hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

Verse 9. - Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. Μυστήριον, a mystery, is that which, having been long hidden, is at length disclosed, either to men generally or to elect disciples. It is derived from μυέω, to initiate, of which the passive μυέομαι, to be instructed or initiated, is found in Philippians 4:12, and is common in classical Greek, being itself derived from μύω, "to close the lips as in pronouncing the syllable μῦ," whence also taurus. The idea is of something secret, which might not be spoken cf. In the New Testament we have "the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 13:11; Luke 8:10; Mark 4:11); and St. Paul brings out the full force of the word when he speaks (Romans 16:25) of "the mystery which was kept secret (σεσιγημένου) since the world began... but is now made known to all nations for the obedience of faith" (see too Ephesians 3:3-6; Colossians 2:26, etc.). "The faith" is equivalent to "the gospel," or "the kingdom of heaven," or the "godliness" of ver. 16 (where see note); and "the mystery of the faith" might be paraphrased by "the revealed truth of Christianity". What is added, "in a pure conscience," teaches us that orthodoxy without personal holiness is little worth. Holding "the truth in unrighteousness" is severely condemned by St. Paul (Romans 1:18). He says of himself (Acts 23:1), "I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day" (comp. Acts 24:16; 2 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Timothy 1:5, 19, etc.). It is much to be observed how St. Paul, the great teacher of the doctrine of g-race, lays constant stress upon the functions of the conscience, and the necessity of having a pure conscience.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
They must hold
ἔχοντας (echontas)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

to the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

mystery
μυστήριον (mystērion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3466: From a derivative of muo; a secret or 'mystery'.

of the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

faith
πίστεως (pisteōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

with
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

a clear
καθαρᾷ (kathara)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2513: Clean.

conscience.
συνειδήσει (syneidēsei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4893: The conscience, a persisting notion. From a prolonged form of suneido; co-perception, i.e. Moral consciousness.


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NT Letters: 1 Timothy 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm)
1 Timothy 3:8
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