Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tonged, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre, holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

Hello listeners, this is Nick from Scripture Central, and today's podcast addresses the question,

what is the mystery of faith?

When Paul wrote his epistles to Timothy and Titus, he offered many instructions

regarding the qualifications of those who were to be called to be local leaders and

priesthood holders in the church.

Regarding the deacons, Paul instructed Timothy that, in addition to being moral, they must hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. This faith, or Pistus, was often used to describe

a relationship of trust and faithfulness between God and mankind.

Furthermore, while modern readers may see the term mystery and draw the conclusion that faith

itself is mysterious or unknowable in nature, such was not the case in Paul's ancient context

or for his ancient readers. The Greek word Mysterian, for instance, was best understood

as a secret right or teaching that was often connected to customs and ceremonies not to be

revealed to the public. As such, many uses of Mysterian appear to refer to ordinances or sacred

counsel from God that is not to be disclosed to those

not worthy of receiving them. Similarly, the Pistus relationship common throughout the ancient

world could be formalized through ritual actions, and the mystery mentioned by Paul

appears to be understood in this context. Indeed, Brent J. Schmidt has noted that Pistus was additionally understood in Paul's time

to be a covenant, oath, or guarantee that created trust, which was relied on to bring about assurance through sacred law.

In conjunction with this covenantal oath, Pistus could also take

the form of signs given to the faithful who already trusted God. These signs were given to act

as evidence and lead the faithful saint to greater knowledge and truth, and could further

persuade individuals, groups, or Hellenistic

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