A CHURCH LEADER. Here for the first time the qualifications and work of church leaders and church helpers are examined. Without a doubt, the first Christians took the synagogue as a model or pattern for work and worship. This was doubtless God's _providence_ at work. Compare notes on Acts 2:44-45 ab... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAN WITHOUT FAULT. This is the basic qualification. He is one who "practices what he preaches." ONLY ONE WIFE. History shows that the church in later centuries took this to mean: "If he is married at all, he must not have more than one wife." But the Jewish view would certainly have been: "He must... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT BE A DRUNKARD. Not an alcoholic. OR A VIOLENT MAN. One who has an _explosive_ temper! GENTLE AND PEACEFUL. He and the other church leaders (there were always more than one in each congregation) act as ARBITRATORS of the problems that come up in the life of the congregation. HE MUST NOT LOVE MONE... [ Continue Reading ]
Able to manage his own family. A man's actual character will be seen in the _general_ character of his own family. With all respect. He must be able to earn the respect of his own children.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF. "If he does not have the ability to manage so small a group as his own family, how will he be able to take charge of the messianic community?" Note that each church-group was managed by a _board_ of two or more church leaders.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE MUST NOT BE. Remember the churches were made up of many who had come from paganism, and whose moral standards had been very low. Compare 1 Peter 4:2-4. A man must have been a Christian long enough to demonstrate the reality of his faith. Yet notice Paul appointed church leaders in only a few year... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE CHURCH. This is one of the proofs of his sanity of judgment. Also, since he will in effect be an advertisement for the messianic community (church), he must not be a social outcast. [_MacKnight_ thinks this refers to the time before he became a Christian, but I think 1 Pete... [ Continue Reading ]
CHURCH HELPERS. See note on 1 Timothy 3:1. They are not to be alcoholics, or those who think religion is a way to get rich.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHOULD HOLD. To the revealed truth of God's act in Christ (see 1 Corinthians 2:6-10). WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE. That is, fear or self-interest will not cause them to either conceal or disguise this truth. See note on 1 Timothy 1:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHOULD BE TESTED FIRST. _MacKnight_ thinks this was done by announcing the names of the candidates to the congregation, so that any charge of misconduct could be searched out. God's servants are chosen from those who are _without fault._... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR WIVES. The Greek word may mean either women or wives. The fact that no mention is made of the church leader's wives implies this is something special. _Johnson_ thinks these are either deaconesses or the wives of the church helpers. Probably these were wives who were also church helpers themse... [ Continue Reading ]
ONLY ONE WIFE. See note on 1 Timothy 3:2. BE ABLE TO MANAGE. See notes on 1 Timothy 3:4-5. A church helper does not manage the affairs of the church, but he (or she) will be deeply involved in the lives of the members, especially at times of crisis.... [ Continue Reading ]
WIN FOR THEMSELVES. Even the wicked must come to respect those who show so much kindness and mercy in helping the poor, the sick, and the persecuted. ABLE TO SPEAK BOLDLY. Love in action builds up the one who does these things, whether he is a church helper or an ordinary Christian. See James 2:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HOPE TO COME. We do not know whether Paul did visit Ephesus, but some think he did on his way to Crete.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF I DELAY. "I would much rather speak with you in person, but because life is so uncertain, I have written you this letter. It will show you how we ought to live as members of God's household." [God's house is built of living stones (Ephesians 2:19-22), not brick and mortar.] THE PILLAR AND SUP... [ Continue Reading ]
NO ONE CAN DENY. The secret is the disclosure to mankind of practical religion (1 Corinthians 2:6-10). No one can deny the claims of Christianity are tremendous!!! HE APPEARED. The Logos took a human body of flesh and blood! See note on John 1:14. WAS SHOWN TO BE RIGHT. The Jewish leaders said he wa... [ Continue Reading ]