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Matthew 25:21
His lord said unto him, Well done,thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Luke 16:10-12
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much…

Luke 19:17
And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

used.

Matthew 20:28
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Romans 12:7,8
Or ministry,let us wait onour ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; …

1 Corinthians 16:15
I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, andthat they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

degree.

Acts 21:35
And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.

great.

Acts 6:5,8,15
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: …

Acts 7:1
Then said the high priest, Are these things so?

Philippians 1:14
And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

acquire for themselves a high standing
Serving well as a deacon leads to a respected position within the church community. This "high standing" is not about worldly status but about spiritual influence and moral authority. It reflects the biblical principle that humility and faithful service lead to exaltation by God (James 4:10). The respect gained is both from God and the church body, as seen in the commendation of faithful servants inMatthew 25:21.

and great confidence
This confidence is a deep assurance and boldness in one's faith and service. It is the result of a clear conscience and a life lived in accordance with God's will.Hebrews 10:35-36 speaks to the importance of maintaining confidence in the faith, which leads to receiving God's promises. This confidence is not self-derived but is rooted in the assurance of God's approval and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

in the faith that is in Christ Jesus
The faith mentioned here is specifically centered on Jesus Christ, the foundation of Christian belief. This phrase underscores the centrality of Christ in the life and service of a deacon. It is a reminder that all Christian service is ultimately about pointing others to Christ and building His kingdom. The faith in Christ is both the source and the goal of a deacon's service, as seen in passages likeColossians 3:17, which calls believers to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.

• Paul begins with “For those who have served well as deacons,” highlighting faithful, consistent ministry (seeActs 6:3–4, where those first set apart were to be “full of the Spirit and wisdom”).

• The word “served” reminds us that the deacon’s role is practical, people-oriented service—mirroring Jesus, who “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45).

• “Well” points to excellence in character and diligence, echoing earlier qualifications such as being “worthy of respect, sincere, and holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience” (1 Timothy 3:8–9).

• Faithful deacons “acquire for themselves a high standing,” meaning a place of honor in the church family—earned, not demanded.

• This “standing” is spiritual influence rather than worldly status (compareLuke 14:11;James 4:10).

• It also positions them for further service; Stephen and Philip moved from serving tables to bold public ministry (Acts 6:8; 8:5–6).

• Consistent, humble service builds “great confidence”—a holy boldness before God and people (Hebrews 10:19–22).

• Assurance grows as obedience is tested and proven (1 John 3:21–22).

• Such confidence empowers testimony, leadership, and prayer (Proverbs 28:1;2 Timothy 1:7–8).

• The confidence is “in the faith that is in Christ Jesus,” keeping the focus on Him rather than personal achievement.

• All honor, boldness, and usefulness flow from union with Christ (Ephesians 3:12;Colossians 2:6–7).

• Even seasoned servants remain dependent: “Not that we are competent in ourselves… but our competence comes from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5).

Faithful deacons who pour themselves out in Christlike service gain two priceless gifts: a respected platform for further ministry and a deep, settled boldness in Christ. Their example shows that humble obedience today positions believers for greater usefulness and stronger confidence tomorrow—always rooted in the living faith found only in Jesus.

Purchase to themselves a good degree.--Some scholars have suggested as a better rendering, "are acquiring (orgaining) to themselves a good standing. The old translation perhaps is best. Alford writes strikingly on the change of tense: "They thathave usedare acquiring or purchasing." The Apostle having begun by placing himself at the great day of retribution, now shifts the scene and deals with their present conduct. "Those who shall then be found to have served well, &c. . . . are now, &c."

The "good degree" they are now purchasing by earnest, patient work may refer to advancement to the higher ministries of the Church, but, more probably, has reference to their future position in the blessed life to come. This is one of the passages not unfrequent in St. Paul's Epistles, where degrees of glory among the redeemed are clearly spoken of. The plain words of St. Paul and his Master teach the people of God that although the great act of redemption alone belongs to Christ, that through His merits only men obtain salvation, still His own, will in a great measure determine, by their works and days on earth, the position they will occupy in His kingdom.

And great boldness.--The true and faithful deacons not only will in the life to come win the great reward, buthere the result of their loyal, earnest service would be, that beforemen they would do their work with serene, fearless confidence, and would at the same time be encouraged to approach thatheavenly Father at all times with the loving trustfulness of children.

In the faith which is in Christ Jesus.--Faith was the foundation of the "great boldness," andthe faith rested on Jesus Christ.