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Selected Verse: 1 Timothy 3:9 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Ti 3:9 |
Strong Concordance |
Holding [2192] the mystery [3466] of the faith [4102] in [1722] a pure [2513] conscience [4893]. |
| |
King James |
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
| 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 (Rom 16:25; Co1 2:7-10), in a pure conscience (Ti1 1:5, Ti1 1:19). ("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. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Holding the mystery of the faith - On the word "mystery," see notes on Co1 2:7. It means that which had been concealed, or hidden, but which was now revealed. The word "faith" here, is synonymous with "the gospel;" and the sense is, that he should hold firmly the great doctrines of the Christian religion which had been so long concealed from people, but which were now revealed. The reason is obvious. Though not a preacher, yet his influence and example would be great, and a man who held material error ought not to be in office.
In a pure conscience - A mere orthodox faith was not all that was necessary, for it was possible that a man might be professedly firm in the belief of the truths of revelation, and yet be corrupt at heart. |
| The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
mystery
(Ti1 3:16).
(See Scofield) - (Mat 13:11). |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
The mystery of the faith (τὸ μυστήριον τῆς πίστεως)
The phrase N.T.o. 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 Th2 2:7. 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 16:25; Eph 3:9; Col 1:26; Co1 2:7. For the faith see on Gal 1:23, and comp. Introduction to these Epistles, VI.
In a pure conscience (ἐν καθαρᾷ συνειδήσει)
Comp. Ti2 1:3, Ti2 1:5, 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 (Ti1 4:1, Ti1 4:2). The passage illustrates the peculiar treatment of "faith" in these Epistles, in emphasizing 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 Ti2 1:9; Ti2 2:1; Tit 3:5. Nonetheless, there is a strong and habitual emphasis on good works (see Ti1 2:10; Ti1 5:10; Ti1 6:18; Ti2 2:21; Ti2 3:17; Tit 1:16; Tit 2:7, Tit 2:14; Tit 3:1, Tit 3:8, Tit 3:14), and faith is placed in a series of practical duties (see Ti1 1:5, Ti1 1:14; Ti1 2:15; Ti1 4:12; Ti2 1:13; Ti1 1:19; Ti1 2:7; Ti1 3:9; Ti1 6:11; Ti2 2:22; Ti2 3:10). "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 Ti1 6:4; Ti2 2:23; Tit 3:9), 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 Joh 7:17. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Holding fast the faith in a pure conscience - Steadfast in faith, holy in heart and life. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| Holding the mystery of the faith - Instead of της πιστεως, 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 αναστασεως, 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 Act 24:16. 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. |
19 Holding [2192] faith [4102], and [2532] a good [18] conscience [4893]; which [3739] some [5100] having put away [683] concerning [4012] faith [4102] have made shipwreck [3489]:
5 Now [1161] the end [5056] of the commandment [3852] is [2076] charity [26] out of [1537] a pure [2513] heart [2588], and [2532] of a good [18] conscience [4893], and [2532] of faith [4102] unfeigned [505]:
7 But [235] we speak [2980] the wisdom [4678] of God [2316] in [1722] a mystery [3466], even the hidden [613] wisdom, which [3739] God [2316] ordained [4309] before [4253] the world [165] unto [1519] our [2257] glory [1391]:
8 Which [3739] none [3762] of the princes [758] of this [5127] world [165] knew [1097]: for [1487] [1063] had they known [1097] it, they [302] would [4717] not [3756] have crucified [4717] the Lord [2962] of glory [1391].
9 But [235] as [2531] it is written [1125], [3739] Eye [3788] hath [1492] not [3756] seen [1492], nor [2532] [3756] ear [3775] heard [191], neither [2532] [3756] have entered [305] into [1909] the heart [2588] of man [444], the things which [3739] God [2316] hath prepared [2090] for them that love [25] him [846].
10 But [1161] God [2316] hath revealed [601] them unto us [2254] by [1223] his [846] Spirit [4151]: for [1063] the Spirit [4151] searcheth [2045] all things [3956], yea [2532], the deep things [899] of God [2316].
25 Now [1161] to him that is of power [1410] to stablish [4741] you [5209] according [2596] to my [3450] gospel [2098], and [2532] the preaching [2782] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], according [2596] to the revelation [602] of the mystery [3466], which was kept secret [4601] since the world began [5550] [166],
7 But [235] we speak [2980] the wisdom [4678] of God [2316] in [1722] a mystery [3466], even the hidden [613] wisdom, which [3739] God [2316] ordained [4309] before [4253] the world [165] unto [1519] our [2257] glory [1391]:
11 He answered [611] and [1161] said [2036] unto them [846], Because [3754] it is given [1325] unto you [5213] to know [1097] the mysteries [3466] of the kingdom [932] of heaven [3772], but [1161] to them [1565] it is [1325] not [3756] given [1325].
16 And [2532] without controversy [3672] great [3173] is [2076] the mystery [3466] of godliness [2150]: God [2316] was manifest [5319] in [1722] the flesh [4561], justified [1344] in [1722] the Spirit [4151], seen [3700] of angels [32], preached [2784] unto [1722] the Gentiles [1484], believed on [4100] in [1722] the world [2889], received up [353] into [1722] glory [1391].
17 If [1437] any man [5100] will [2309] do [4160] his [846] will [2307], he shall know [1097] of [4012] the doctrine [1322], whether [4220] it be [2076] of [1537] God [2316], or [2228] whether I [1473] speak [2980] of [575] myself [1683].
9 But [1161] avoid [4026] foolish [3474] questions [2214], and [2532] genealogies [1076], and [2532] contentions [2054], and [2532] strivings about [3163] the law [3544]; for [1063] they are [1526] unprofitable [512] and [2532] vain [3152].
23 But [1161] foolish [3474] and [2532] unlearned [521] questions [2214] avoid [3868], knowing [1492] that [3754] they do gender [1080] strifes [3163].
4 He is proud [5187], knowing [1987] nothing [3367], but [235] doting [3552] about [4012] questions [2214] and [2532] strifes of words [3055], whereof [1537] [3739] cometh [1096] envy [5355], strife [2054], railings [988], evil [4190] surmisings [5283],
10 But [1161] thou [4771] hast fully known [3877] my [3450] doctrine [1319], manner of life [72], purpose [4286], faith [4102], longsuffering [3115], charity [26], patience [5281],
22 Flee [5343] also [1161] youthful [3512] lusts [1939]: but [1161] follow [1377] righteousness [1343], faith [4102], charity [26], peace [1515], with [3326] them that call on [1941] the Lord [2962] out of [1537] a pure [2513] heart [2588].
11 But [1161] thou [4771], O [5599] man [444] of God [2316], flee [5343] these things [5023]; and [1161] follow after [1377] righteousness [1343], godliness [2150], faith [4102], love [26], patience [5281], meekness [4236].
9 Holding [2192] the mystery [3466] of the faith [4102] in [1722] a pure [2513] conscience [4893].
7 Whereunto [1519] [3739] I [1473] am ordained [5087] a preacher [2783], and [2532] an apostle [652], (I speak [3004] the truth [225] in [1722] Christ [5547], and lie [5574] not [3756];) a teacher [1320] of the Gentiles [1484] in [1722] faith [4102] and [2532] verity [225].
19 Holding [2192] faith [4102], and [2532] a good [18] conscience [4893]; which [3739] some [5100] having put away [683] concerning [4012] faith [4102] have made shipwreck [3489]:
13 Hold fast [2192] the form [5296] of sound [5198] words [3056], which [3739] thou hast heard [191] of [3844] me [1700], in [1722] faith [4102] and [2532] love [26] which [3588] is in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424].
12 Let [2706] no man [3367] despise [2706] thy [4675] youth [3503]; but [235] be thou [1096] an example [5179] of the believers [4103], in [1722] word [3056], in [1722] conversation [391], in [1722] charity [26], in [1722] spirit [4151], in [1722] faith [4102], in [1722] purity [47].
15 Notwithstanding [1161] she shall be saved [4982] in [1223] childbearing [5042], if [1437] they continue [3306] in [1722] faith [4102] and [2532] charity [26] and [2532] holiness [38] with [3326] sobriety [4997].
14 And [1161] the grace [5485] of our [2257] Lord [2962] was exceeding abundant [5250] with [3326] faith [4102] and [2532] love [26] which [3588] is in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424].
5 Now [1161] the end [5056] of the commandment [3852] is [2076] charity [26] out of [1537] a pure [2513] heart [2588], and [2532] of a good [18] conscience [4893], and [2532] of faith [4102] unfeigned [505]:
14 And [1161] let [3129] ours [2251] also [2532] learn [3129] to maintain [4291] good [2570] works [2041] for [1519] necessary [316] uses [5532], that [3363] they be [5600] not [3363] unfruitful [175].
8 This is a faithful [4103] saying [3056], and [2532] these things [4012] [5130] I will [1014] that thou [4571] affirm constantly [1226], that [2443] they which have believed [4100] in God [2316] might be careful [5431] to maintain [4291] good [2570] works [2041]. These things [5023] are [2076] good [2570] and [2532] profitable unto men [444].
1 Put [5279] them [846] in mind [5279] to be subject [5293] to principalities [746] and [2532] powers [1849], to obey magistrates [3980], to be [1511] ready [2092] to [4314] every [3956] good [18] work [2041],
14 Who [3739] gave [1325] himself [1438] for [5228] us [2257], that [2443] he might redeem [3084] us [2248] from [575] all [3956] iniquity [458], and [2532] purify [2511] unto himself [1438] a peculiar [4041] people [2992], zealous [2207] of good [2570] works [2041].
7 In [4012] all things [3956] shewing [3930] thyself [4572] a pattern [5179] of good [2570] works [2041]: in [1722] doctrine [1319] shewing uncorruptness [90], gravity [4587], sincerity [861],
16 They profess [3670] that they know [1492] God [2316]; but [1161] in works [2041] they deny [720] him, being [5607] abominable [947], and [2532] disobedient [545], and [2532] unto [4314] every [3956] good [18] work [2041] reprobate [96].
17 That [2443] the man [444] of God [2316] may be [5600] perfect [739], throughly furnished [1822] unto [4314] all [3956] good [18] works [2041].
21 If [1437] a man [5100] therefore [3767] purge [1571] himself [1438] from [575] these [5130], he shall be [2071] a vessel [4632] unto [1519] honour [5092], sanctified [37], and [2532] meet [2173] for the master's use [1203], and prepared [2090] unto [1519] every [3956] good [18] work [2041].
18 That they do good [14], that they be rich [4147] in [1722] good [2570] works [2041], ready to distribute [1511] [2130], willing to communicate [2843];
10 Well reported of [3140] for [1722] good [2570] works [2041]; if [1487] she have brought up [5044] children, if [1487] she have lodged strangers [3580], if [1487] she have washed [3538] the saints [40]' feet [4228], if [1487] she have relieved [1884] the afflicted [2346], if [1487] she have diligently followed [1872] every [3956] good [18] work [2041].
10 But [235] (which [3739] becometh [4241] women [1135] professing [1861] godliness [2317]) with [1223] good [18] works [2041].
5 Not [3756] by [1537] works [2041] of [1722] righteousness [1343] which [3739] we [2249] have done [4160], but [235] according to [2596] his [846] mercy [1656] he saved [4982] us [2248], by [1223] the washing [3067] of regeneration [3824], and [2532] renewing [342] of the Holy [40] Ghost [4151];
1 Thou [4771] therefore [3767], my [3450] son [5043], be strong [1743] in [1722] the grace [5485] that is in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424].
9 Who [3588] hath saved [4982] us [2248], and [2532] called [2564] us with an holy [40] calling [2821], not [3756] according to [2596] our [2257] works [2041], but [235] according to [2596] his own [2398] purpose [4286] and [2532] grace [5485], which [3588] was given [1325] us [2254] in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424] before [4253] the world began [5550] [166],
2 Speaking lies [5573] in [1722] hypocrisy [5272]; having [2743] their [2398] conscience [4893] seared with a hot iron [2743];
1 Now [1161] the Spirit [4151] speaketh [3004] expressly [4490], that [3754] in [1722] the latter [5306] times [2540] some [5100] shall depart from [868] the faith [4102], giving heed [4337] to seducing [4108] spirits [4151], and [2532] doctrines [1319] of devils [1140];
5 When I call [2983] to remembrance [5280] the unfeigned [505] faith [4102] that is in [1722] thee [4671], which [3748] dwelt [1774] first [4412] in [1722] thy [4675] grandmother [3125] Lois [3090], and [2532] thy [4675] mother [3384] Eunice [2131]; and [1161] I am persuaded [3982] that [3754] in [1722] thee [4671] also [2532].
3 I thank [2192] [5485] God [2316], whom [3739] I serve [3000] from [575] my forefathers [4269] with [1722] pure [2513] conscience [4893], that [5613] without ceasing [88] I have [2192] remembrance [3417] of [4012] thee [4675] in [1722] my [3450] prayers [1162] night [3571] and [2532] day [2250];
23 But [1161] they had [2258] heard [191] only [3440], That [3754] he which persecuted [1377] us [2248] in times past [4218] now [3568] preacheth [2097] the faith [4102] which [3739] once [4218] he destroyed [4199].
7 But [235] we speak [2980] the wisdom [4678] of God [2316] in [1722] a mystery [3466], even the hidden [613] wisdom, which [3739] God [2316] ordained [4309] before [4253] the world [165] unto [1519] our [2257] glory [1391]:
26 Even the mystery [3466] which [3588] hath been hid [613] from [575] ages [165] and [2532] from [575] generations [1074], but [1161] now [3570] is made manifest [5319] to his [846] saints [40]:
9 And [2532] to make [5461] all [3956] men see [5461] what [5101] is the fellowship [2842] of the mystery [3466], which [3588] from [575] the beginning of the world [165] hath been hid [613] in [1722] God [2316], who [3588] created [2936] all things [3956] by [1223] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]:
25 Now [1161] to him that is of power [1410] to stablish [4741] you [5209] according [2596] to my [3450] gospel [2098], and [2532] the preaching [2782] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], according [2596] to the revelation [602] of the mystery [3466], which was kept secret [4601] since the world began [5550] [166],
7 For [1063] the mystery [3466] of iniquity [458] doth [1754] already [2235] work [1754]: only [3440] he who now [737] letteth [2722] will let, until [2193] he be taken [1096] out of [1537] the way [3319].
16 And [1161] herein [1722] [5129] do I exercise [778] myself [846], to have [2192] always [1275] a conscience [4893] void of offence [677] toward [4314] God [2316], and [2532] toward men [444].