1 Timothy 3:9 net — holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

NET Bible

"holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience."

— 1 Timothy 3:9, NET Bible

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1 Timothy 3:9 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

1 Timothy 3 — Context

6

He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact.

7

And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap.

8

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain,

9

holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

10

And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless.

11

Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect.

12

Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households.

1 Timothy 3:9 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Timothy 3:9 say?
1 Timothy 3:9 in the NET Bible reads: “holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.”
Where is 1 Timothy 3:9 in the Bible?
1 Timothy 3:9 is found in the New Testament, in the book of 1 Timothy, chapter 3, verse 9.
Who wrote 1 Timothy?
1 Timothy is traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle. It was written c. AD 62–66.
What is the book of 1 Timothy about?
The first of the "Pastoral Epistles" — Paul's how-to for the young pastor Timothy at Ephesus. He addresses false teachers, qualifications for elders and deacons, the role of men and women in worship, the use of money, and the steady call of gospel ministry.
What are the major themes of 1 Timothy?
1 Timothy explores themes including Sound Doctrine, Pastoral Care, Church Order, Godliness, Contentment. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Timothy 3:9.
What translation should I read 1 Timothy 3:9 in?
1 Timothy 3:9 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Timothy 3:9?
1 Timothy 3:9 reads (NET): “holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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