• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

"But let these also first be tested..."

Text: 1 Timothy 3:10

THE TESTING OF FAITH AND LIFE

The apostle Paul must have come across many different types of individuals who declared faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He had spent many years travelling from place to place preaching the Gospel and planting churches. He was deeply committed to having only those who have proven themselves well to serve the Lord as church officers.

“But let these also first be tested; then let them serve
as deacons, being found blameless.”

1 Timothy 3:10

1. “But let these also first be tested”

a) Testing is placed before appointment to serve.

b) There is no mistaking Paul’s emphasis on testing as the first platform for ascertaining:-

i) A person’s character

ii) A person’s genuine faith

iii) A person’s worth

2. “Be tested”

This word was used by Paul in Romans 5:4.

The context would suggest being tested by tribulation (Romans 5:3-4).

The product is called “character”.

The word “tested” in this verse has a very similar idea to Romans 5:4.

3. “Then let them serve as deacons”

a) The individual has undergone tribulation.

b) He has been tested and proven to have a sound character.

c) He is now ready to serve the Lord as a “deacon”.

4. “Being found blameless”

a) Blamelessness does not mean being perfect.

b) The phrase describes the state of being of the individual.

c) He is found to be not blame-worthy with reference to his character.

d) He must also be able to hold fast to his faith when he undergoes tribulation.

e) His conscience must be clean and pure amidst times of testing.

f) Then he will be able to serve the Lord well as a good and faithful deacon.