Timothy to Hebrews - The Preterist Archive

First Timothy III. 13. 77
our epistle, they give the first place to the general qualification of a
good reputation, ver. 3. The expression, full of the Holy Ghost,
also involves no special reference to the office ;
such a reference is
apparent only in the qualification /w?? (/^yiWom ; and afterwards,
in ver. 5, it is expressly said of Stephen that he was a man full of
faith and of the Holy Ghost, by which, in like manner, no special
qualification for the diaKovdv is denoted. But with reference specially
to the qualities mentioned in our epistle, it would not be difficult
to point out also in them the reason why they are particularly
required of a deacon. It is certainly not accidental merely, that in
the case of the deacon less weight is laid on personal dignity than
in the case of the bishop (comp. ver. 3, Koofnog') ; it is enough for
him that he be aefivoq ; the /i?) 6iX6yov^, also, is thought by Schleiermacher
to be suitable, comp. above. The holding the mystery of
the faith, etc., when rightly understood, expresses only the qualification
of a true faith having its root in the heart, in opposition to
the merely pretended fiiith of those who taught otherwise. How
could the deacon, whose whole work was to spring from true love to
God and the brethren, be wanting in a true faith, without which a
true love is not conceivable ! The apostle, as Schleiermachei thinks,
might certainly have added the qualifications expressed by the
terms, hospitable, a lover of good, just. But how much would stiU
have to be said besides, if the apostle had aimed at enumerating
everything ! It suffices him to lay down, in general, the qualification
of moral propriety of conduct, with special allusion to the prevailing
vices, and that of faith having its root in a pure conscience.
And it may certainly be supposed that those who were found blameless
in respect to the things mentioned, would not be deficient in
those qualities referred to by Schleiermacher, nor in others equally
important.
That qualifications so high are required in a deacon, is now confirmed
in ver. 13, by a reference to the importance of this office, as
shewn in the great personal success which a deacon, who has used
his office well, may hope to reap ; so also De Wette. 01 yap icaX