They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.
Summary: Paul’s reference to the “deep truths of the faith” and a “clear conscience” point to things that only the eyes of faith can see.
When we read Paul’s words, we are always looking through the lens of the translators who make it possible for us to read the Bible in English. Translating from Greek is not an easy task, and translators sometimes have to make hard choices when selecting their words.
In this case, the NIV translates “mystērion”* as “deep truths.” Most translations, about three-quarters of them, use the word “mystery” instead.
Why?
What is the difference between a “deep truth” and a “mystery”?
The problem with the word “mystery” is that it carries the connotation of something secret. Secrets are often associated with the dark arts or with heresies. The Christian faith has no “secrets” in the sense of hiding anything.
The problem is that some people are blind to the truth of Jesus Christ. When that happens, it feels like the Gospel Christians talk about is a “mystery.” The Bible describes this effect as the “stumbling stone” (Romans 9:33).
The Bible divides humanity into those who recognize the “rock” and those who don’t. Those who recognize the rock build on it (Matthew 7:24-25). Those who don’t acknowledge the rock stumble and are judged by it (Matthew 21:44).
To the world, this looks like a “mystery.” Through the eyes of faith, the truth seems plain as day. Two different points of view — two completely different results.
Why does Paul add the part about the “clear conscience”?
The “mystery” of faith is that while we live in the world, our hearts belong to God. The “deep truth” Paul refers to is that God appeared in the flesh, is preached among the nations, is believed on, and was taken up in glory (1 Timothy 3:16).
The temptation we face is the desire to keep one foot in the world while we keep the other foot in heaven. Ananias and Sapphira tried this, and it didn’t go well with them (Acts 5:1-11). Temptation is real. Paul knows this and wants deacons to be aware of the responsibility they carry.
Application: Keep both feet firmly planted in faith.
Food for Thought: How hard is it to keep hold of the deep truths of the faith?
*”G3466 – mystērion – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NIV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 21 Apr, 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3466/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.
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How hard is it to keep hold of the deep truths of the faith?
Holding onto the deep truths of the faith requires daily walking with Jesus. I once heard Alistair Begg state in a video “without the preaching of the cross all day and every day, we quickly revert to faith plus works as the grounds of our salvation.” Remembering that we are fallen humans, saved by faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, living in grace by God and growing in our relationship with His Spirit, fortifies with us the NEED to hold onto our faith. Our faith is alive because we pursue God, and seek to do His Will. When we begin to believe that it is our own works that justify us, we begin to trust in ourselves and not God. We begin to pursue our own will, and not God’s. And we let go of the deeper truths of faith, and hold onto what we can control.
2 Timothy 4:3-4
3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
Colossians 1:22-23
22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Thank you, Chris!
That is a timely reminder of something every Christian needs to hold dear! Well said.
How hard is it to keep hold of the deep truths of the faith?
We are often known by the values we consistently display when under stress or excitement over another’s victory.
As believers we enter the process of becoming more Christlike each day, and holding onto the deep truths of God will increasingly become a sign of our separation from the ways of this world and our transformation into the creation intended by God.
2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Romans 12:2, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
For some this will be a fast process, for others the change will require more time, however the power of God is behind all change and it will be His Sovereign will both insuring and effecting the change in our lives.
Philippians 1:6, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Thank you, Ron!
You make a great point! Stress brings out the best and the worst in a person. It also works like a flashlight on the soul, revealing what can’t be seen when times are good.