1 Timothy 3:13

3:13 For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves ¹  and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. ² 

Acts 6:1-2

The Appointment of the First Seven Deacons

6:1 Now in those ³  days, when the disciples were growing in number, ⁴  a complaint arose on the part of the Greek-speaking Jews ⁵  against the native Hebraic Jews, ⁶  because their widows ⁷  were being overlooked ⁸  in the daily distribution of food. ⁹  6:2 So the twelve ¹⁰  called ¹¹  the whole group ¹²  of the disciples together and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to wait on tables. ¹³ 

[3:13]  ¹ sn The statement those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves is reminiscent of Jesus’ teaching (Matt 20:26-28; Mark 10:43-45) that the one who wishes to be great must be a servant (διάκονος [diakonos], used here of deacons) of all, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve (διακονέω [diakonew], as in 1 Tim 3:10, 13).

[3:13]  ² sn In the phrase the faith that is in Christ Jesus, the term faith seems to mean “what Christians believe, Christian truth,” rather than personal trust in Christ. So the whole phrase could mean that others will come to place greater confidence in them regarding Christian truth; but the word “confidence” is much more likely to refer to their own boldness to act on the truth of their convictions.

[6:1]  ³ tn Grk “these.” The translation uses “those” for stylistic reasons.

[6:1]  ⁴ tn Grk “were multiplying.”

[6:1]  ⁵ tn Grk “the Hellenists,” but this descriptive term is largely unknown to the modern English reader. The translation “Greek-speaking Jews” attempts to convey something of who these were, but it was more than a matter of language spoken; it involved a degree of adoption of Greek culture as well.

[6:1]  ⁶ tn Grk “against the Hebrews,” but as with “Hellenists” this needs further explanation for the modern reader.

[6:1]  ⁷ sn The care of widows is a major biblical theme: Deut 10:18; 16:11, 14; 24:17, 19-21; 26:12-13; 27:19; Isa 1:17-23; Jer 7:6; Mal 3:5.

[6:1]  ⁸ tn Or “neglected.”

[6:1]  ⁹ tn Grk “in the daily serving.”

[6:2]  ¹⁰ sn The twelve refers to the twelve apostles.

[6:2]  ¹¹ tn Grk “calling the whole group…together, said.” The participle προσκαλεσάμενοι (proskalesamenoi) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[6:2]  ¹² tn Or “the multitude.”

[6:2]  ¹³ tn Grk “to serve tables.”