1 Timothy 3:13

Purchase to themselves a good degree,— Acquire for themselves an honourable degree, [that of presbyter or bishop,] and great assurance in preaching the Christian faith. See Heylin. The apostle alludes here to the practice of electing the deacons from the best among the laity; the priests or elders from the best among the deacons; and the rulers or bishops from the best among the priests or elders.—Where the unbelieving Jews were so virulent, and the Gentiles so much exasperated by Demetrius and his company, there was a necessity for great boldness and fortitude; especially in the officers of the Christian church, who are generally the first exposed to persecution.