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13. The meaning of βαθυὸν καλόν is the key to this verse. βαθμός (ἅπ. λεγ. in the N.T.) means primarily a ‘step,’ and it has been interpreted often of (a) a step in the ministry, the gradus presbyteratus; the meaning of the verse being, then, that those who have served the office of deacon well are rewarded by being raised to the presbyterate (or the episcopate). But this is not in harmony with the context, and savours of a later period than that of the Epistle. The regular promotion of deacons was, apparently, not known in the Apostolic or sub-Apostolic age. But (b) βαθμός may well mean ‘standing’ or ‘position’; and thus the passage speaks of the ‘vantage-ground’ in respect of the Christian community which will be gained by a deacon who has honourably discharged his duties. The reputation he has acquired may become the means of further and wider usefulness. Another interpretation (c) is that of ‘a good standing’ in respect, not of men, but of God, the reference being to the spiritual growth of the διάκονοι; in this view, ἀποθησαυρίζοντας ἑαυτοῖς θεμέλιον καλὸν εἰς τὸ μέλλον of 1Ti 6:19 would be a close parallel. But such an interpretation robs γάρ of its force, and ignores the connexion it implies between 1Ti 3:12-13. Bearing in mind the point of the injunction that the διάκονοι should be μιᾶς γυναικὸς ἄνδρες, viz. that they should be without reproach in the eyes of the Christian community, we see that a transition to any comment on their spiritual progress here or their final destiny hereafter would be out of place, while an observation in reference to their good repute among the faithful would be entirely apposite. On these grounds we decide in favour of (b); the ‘good standing’ acquired by the διάκονος is his position of greater trust among those to whom he ministers, in itself a great reward, because of the larger opportunities which it gives.
περιποιοῦνται, acquire. The verb περιποιεῖσθαι does not appear elsewhere in St Paul’s Epistles; but cp. Act 20:28 and 1Th 5:9 &c. The translation of the A.V., purchase, has come to suggest an idea of traffic which the word does not contain.
πολλὴν παρρησίαν. In accordance with the view taken above of βαθμὸν καλόν, this phrase finds a parallel in 2Co 7:4; the ‘boldness’ acquired by the καλῶς διακονήσαντες is boldness in respect of men, not in respect of God. This latter is a familiar N.T. idea (e.g. 1Jn 3:21), but is not here prominent.
ἐν πίστει τῇ ἐν Χρ. Ἰ. This is the sphere in which the παρρησία is exhibited, and the source from which it ultimately springs. Cp. Col 1:4.