The Mystery of the Faith
What is "the mystery of the faith" found in 1 Timothy 3:9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
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As you can imagine, words or phrases that are only used one time and that do not have a clear definition in that passage can be difficult to interpret. Therefore, I admit that my understanding of the mystery of the faith is not as secure as with many doctrines. However, I do think that we can get a pretty good understanding of what is being referred to here. Let us analyze the doctrine.
1 Timothy 3:9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
See All... states: "Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience."
In context, it is dealing with the qualifications of deacons. This mystery is not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. In fact, the words "mystery" and "faith" are used in the same Bible verse only in this verse. Therefore, we will have to look at other connections in order to understand its meaning.
The word "mystery" is commonly used in Paul's epistles. In a previous study, I have seen four characteristics of mysteries in the Bible. They are:
- Not previously known (Ephesians 3:4-5 [4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
[5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
See All...,9; Matthew 13:35That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
See All...) - Beyond human understanding (1 Corinthians 2:7-10 [7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
[8] Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
[10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
See All...) - Selectively revealed (Matthew 13:10-11 [10] And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
[11] He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
See All...; Ephesians 3:10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
See All...) - Meant to be taught (1 Corinthians 4:1-2 [1] Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
[2] Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
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Therefore, we are looking for something that had not been revealed to Old Testament saints but is an important part of New Testament understanding.
Next, I notice the phrasing of the mystery. It is not the mystery of faith, but the mystery of "the faith." The phrase "the faith" is found 43 times in the Bible. All of these references are in the New Testament from Acts to Revelation. It is definitely a New Testament phrase. Its first occurrence in the Bible is in Acts 3:16And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
See All.... It is in a sermon by Peter and it is referring to healing of the lame man through faith in the name of Jesus Christ. Perhaps it is not coincidence that it is chapter three and verse sixteen (as in John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
See All...). Here is the verse (I have added the capitalization):
Acts 3:16And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
See All... And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, THE FAITH which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
This passage refers to THE FAITH which is by Jesus Christ as the means of blessing from God. Many other passages tell us that this is THE FAITH that brings us the greatest of all blessings--the blessing of eternal salvation. Although, "the faith" often refers to the body of truth as found in the entire Bible (1 Corinthians 16:13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
See All...; Ephesians 4:13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
See All...; Titus 1:13This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
See All...), it specifically refers to the faith of Jesus Christ. This has two connotations: the faith of Christ working in us and our faith in Him. Consider the following verses:
Galatians 2:16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
See All... Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Galatians 2:20I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
See All... I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Ephesians 3:12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
See All... In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Philippians 3:9Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers.
See All... And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
1 Timothy 3:13For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
See All... For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
James 2:1My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
See All... My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
Revelation 14:12Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
See All... Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
In other places, it is referred to at the faith of the gospel:
Philippians 1:27
See All... Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Colossians 1:23If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
See All... If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Notice especially 1 Timothy 3:13For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
See All.... This is only four verses down from the verse we are studying (1 Timothy 3:9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
See All...) and it still dealing with the qualifications of a deacon. Therefore, the meaning of "the faith" here is significant. In 1Timothy 3:13For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
See All..., the deacons are to have "great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." This is the faith that trusts in Jesus Christ for salvation. It is also the faith that trusts in Jesus Christ for our daily walk with God. And, it is the faith of Jesus Christ that works in us to enable us to full salvation and the crucified Christian life. In sum, it is the faith of Jesus Christ.
This is evidently the faith that was a mystery to the Old Testament saints. They knew of the coming of a Messiah, but they did not know all that would come through our faith in and the faith of the Son of God. That has been revealed to us today.
In our passage, Paul is telling Timothy that the deacons must hold this mystery--the mystery of the faith--in a pure conscience. They are responsible for ministering to others in this holy truth. If their conscience in impure, they will drag this precious truth in the mud and will discredit its testimony before others. They must rightly exalt the message of the gospel and the faith of Jesus Christ; first in their own hearts, and second in their proclamation of that gospel to others. It is a high and holy calling and is not to be the vocation of men of the baser sort. If they do not hold the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ in holy awe while living holy lives, then they are disqualified from being deacons.