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The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

1 Timothy 3:15

1 TIMOTHY—NOTE ON 1 Timothy 3:15 Paul provides one of the key NT descriptions of the church’s identity and mission. He often uses household and related words to describe the church and its ministry (see Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:19; 1 Peter 4:17). The church is like a family, with similar responsibility and authority. pillar and buttress of the truth. God has given the church the task of sharing and protecting the gospel (that is, “the truth”; see note on 1 Tim. 2:4).

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See also 1 Timothy 3:15 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 15. _BUT IF I TARRY LONG_] That is: Not withstanding I hope to come to thee shortly, and therefore do not feel the necessity of writing at large; yet, lest I should be delayed, I write what I ju...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    BUT IF I TARRY LONG - Paul appears to have been uncertain how long circumstances would require him to be absent. He expected to return, but it was possible that his hope of returning soon would be dis...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    III. CONCERNING THE HOUSE OF GOD CHAPTER 3 _ 1. The overseer (1 Timothy 3:1)_ 2. The deacon (1 Timothy 3:8) 3. The house of God and the mystery of Godliness (1 Timothy 3:14)...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    (_c_) 1 Timothy 3:14. THE AIM OF THE INSTRUCTIONS. The purpose of such directions, written lest Paul's visit be delayed, is to teach men proper behaviour in God's household (_cf._ Hebrews 3:6), the Ch...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE LEADERS OF THE CHURCH (1 Timothy 3:1-7)...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    I am writing these things to you, hoping, as I write, to come to you soon. But I am writing, so that, if I am delayed, you may know how to behave yourselves in the household of God, which is the assem...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    IF. App-118. TARRY LONG. delay. Greek. _braduno_. Here and 2 Peter 3:9. THAT. in order that. Greek. Heir, BEHAVE THYSELF. Greek. _anastrepho_. See 2 Corinthians 1:12. An alternative reading, as Rev...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _how_thou _oughtest to behave thyself_ There is little in the Greek words and little in the context to decide us in translating either thus with A.V. and margin of R.V. or HOW MEN OUGHT TO BEHAVE THEM...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    After δεῖ, some Western authorities (followed by the Latin Vulgate) insert σε; but its insertion is due to a misconception of the meaning. See note _in loc_. 15. ΠΩ͂Σ ΔΕΙ͂ ἘΝ ΟἼΚΩΙ ΘΕΟΥ͂�, _how men ou...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    14, 15. THE AIM OF ALL THE FOREGOING INSTRUCTIONS...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΒΡΑΔΎΝΩ (G1019) _praes. conj. act._ колебаться, откладывать. _Conj._ в _conj._ 3 типа, выражающем возможное условие (RW). ΕΊΔΗΣ _perf. conj. act. от_ ΟΊΔΑ (G1492) знать. Def. perf. со _знач. praes._...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    THE HOUSE OF GOD, WHICH IS THE CHURCH, &C.— Dr. Benson renders this, _that thou, who art the ground and pillar of the truth, mightest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the church of God._ Dr...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    IMPORTANCE OF INSTRUCTIONS 1 Timothy 3:14-16 _TEXT 3:14-16_ 14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly; 15 but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. BUT IF I TARRY LONG -...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    3 Translators have experienced much difficulty with this opening sentence, because it seemed to lack the principal verb. The A V adds _ so do_, the Revisers _ so do I now_. It is very seldom that any...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    5 This passage is primarily intended to break down the bounds in which salvation had hitherto been confined. The testimony of past eras is no basis on which to build in this era. The testimony to the...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    CONCERNING THE OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH 1-7. The fourth charge to Timothy, in respect to presbyters....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    HOW TO BE A LEADER IN THE CHURCH 1 TIMOTHY _IAN MACKERVOY_ CHAPTER 3 WHAT AN *ELDER MUST BE LIKE (3:1-7) V1 Anyone who aims to be a leader in the church desires a good task. That is true. V2 But...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    BUT IF I TARRY LONG. — St. Paul felt that dangers were pressing closer and closer — that the hoped-for visit to his loved church at Ephesus might not, probably never would be, accomplished; so these f...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 12 THE RELATION OF HUMAN CONDUCT TO THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS. - 1 Timothy 3:14 ST. PAUL here makes a pause in the Epistle. He has brought to a close some of the principal directions which he...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    ἵνα εἰδῇς … ἀναστρέφεσθαι : It is a matter of indifference whether we render _how men ought to behave themselves_ (R.V.), or _how thou oughtest to behave thyself_ (A.V.; R.V. m.). It was Timothy's dut...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    These general directions will serve you as a guide in the administration of the Church until you see me. Your charge is one of transcendent importance. The Church is no human institution: it is the ho...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    QUALIFICATIONS OF CHURCH OFFICIALS 1 Timothy 3:8 Younger men, referred to as deacons, were appointed to subordinate tasks, especially the relief of the poor, Acts 6:1. Though their service was less i...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    Turning to the government of the Church, the apostle deals with two orders, bishops and deacons. The bishop is an overseer, whose duty it is to watch over the flock. The apostle describes the qualific...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    PERSONAL INSTRUCTIONS TO TIMOTHY Paul hoped he would soon be able to visit with Timothy in person about the organization of the church and actions of those who make it up. However, he knew travel was...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the (7) house of God, which is the church of the living God, the (i) pillar and ground of the truth. (7) The pastor a...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    The pillar and ground of the truth. By the promises of Christ to direct his Church by the infallible spirit of truth; (see John xvi. 7; Matthew xxviii. 20; &c. (Witham)) and therefore, the Church of t...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (1) В¶ This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. (2) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given t...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    1 Timothy 1:1-20. We enter now on the confidential communications of the apostle to some of his fellow-labourers, and tonight on the epistles to Timothy. The two have much in common, but they have als...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _THE CHURCH_ ‘The Church of the living God.’ 1 Timothy 3:15 What does it mean when it is said so expressly, ‘the Church of the living God’? I. IS IT IN CONTRAST TO THE TEMPLES OF THE HEATHEN, whos...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _‘THE CHURCH TO TEACH, THE BIBLE TO PROVE’_ ‘The Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.’ 1 Timothy 3:15 The Bible is not one book; it is a library of books, written by differ...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    15_How thou oughtest to conduct thyself: _By this mode of expression he commends the weight and dignity of the office; because pastors (66) may be regarded as stewards, to whom God has committed the c...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    The apostle next points out to Timothy the qualities necessary for a bishop or a deacon, as well as for the wife of the latter. [4] He supposes here that there were some who desired to undertake this...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    BUT IF I TARRY LONG,.... Or should long delay coming, defer it longer than may be expected; let it be observed that these things are written, THAT THOU MAYEST KNOW HOW THOU OUGHTEST TO BEHAVE THYSELF...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Ver. 15. _In the house o...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _These things_ Concerning the character of persons fit to be intrusted with the office of bishops or deacons; _I write, hoping to come to thee shortly_ It seems evident from hence, that Paul intended...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    IN THE HOUSE OF GOD; in conducting the affairs of the church. PILLAR AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH; the church is the means of sustaining, extending, and perpetuating the saving knowledge of divine truth am...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    THE PURPOSE OF PAUL'S LETTER AND A DOXOLOGY....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    BUT IF I TARRY LONG, THAT THOU MAYEST KNOW HOW THOU OUGHTEST TO BEHAVE THYSELF IN THE HOUSE OF GOD, WHICH IS THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD, THE PILLAR AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH....

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    If before we have seen personal conduct that is to be consistent with assembly character, this chapter, while dealing with personal character still, connects it directly with the order of the assembly...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 1. Behave - Does this te...

  • Marginal Notes in the King James Version (1611)

    GROUND: Or, stay...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    “BUT IN CASE. AM DELAYED,. WRITE”: Paul knew that circumstances might delay his hoped for reunion with Timothy, thus he writes this letter. Paul had been hindered on other trips (Acts 16:6; Romans 15:...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    14-16 The church is the house of God; he dwells there. The church holds forth the Scripture and the doctrine of Christ, as a pillar holds forth a proclamation. When a church ceases to be the pillar a...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    OLBGrk; I do not know how God will dispose of me, though I hope shortly to see thee, and therefore I have written to direct thee how in the mean time thou shouldst carry thyself in the affairs of the...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Irenaeus Against Heresies Book III WE have learned from none others the plan of our salvation, than from those through whom the Gospel has come down to us, which they did at one time proclaim in publ...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    1 Timothy 3:15 but G1161 if G1437 delayed G1019 (G5725) that G2443 know G1492 (G5762) how G4459 ought...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    1 Timothy 3:15. THE HOME OF GOD. The true Bethel, in which through the Spirit. God manifests His presence. The title, at first applied locally, as in Genesis 28:17; Genesis 28:19, and continuing so ap...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    BUT IF I TARRY LONG (εαν δε βραδυνω). Condition of third class with εαν and the present active subjunctive of βραδυνω, old verb, to be slow (usually intransitive), from βραδυς (slow, dull, Luke 24:...

  • Scofield's Bible Commentary

    CHURCH Church (visible), Summary: The passages under this head (1 Corinthians 10:32); (1 Timothy 3:15) refer to that visible body of professed believers called, collectively, "the Church," of which...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    1 Timothy 3:15 I. I cannot think of the Christian Church as if it were a selection out of humanity. In its idea it is humanity. The hard, iron-faced man whom I meet upon the street, the degraded, sad-...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Qualifications of elders and deacons. CHARACTERS: God, Christ, Satan. CONCLUSION: Those having places of authority in the church must be blameless, not lying under any scandal, watchful ag...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    1 Timothy 3:1. _This is a true saying,_ an indubitable word, _if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work,_ a laudable sphere of labour and usefulness. But by the idea of a primiti...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    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." ...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _That thou mightest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God._ WHAT THE CHURCH SHOULD BE I. The glorious name of the Church--“The Church of the living God.” 1. It is called the C...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 1 Timothy 3:15. HOW THOU OUGHTEST TO BEHAVE THYSELF.—The language seems open to a double interpretation, as the R.V. shows—“how men ought to behave.” Perhaps St. Paul...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION 1 TIMOTHY 3:1 _Faithful is the saying _for _this is a true saying_,_ _A.V.; _seeketh _for _desire_,_ _A.V. FAITHFUL IS THE SAYING (see above, 1 Timothy 1:15, note). This manifestly refers...

  • The Typology of Scripture by Patrick Fairbairn

    Ver. 15. _But if I should tarry,_ [the things have been written] _in order that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to conduct thyself in God's house, which indeed is the church of the living God, the...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Tonight we will be studying First Timothy three and four. It is interesting as Paul writes to Timothy on several occasions, he uses phrases that are interesting to me. He said, This is a faithful sayi...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Chronicles 22:13; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Kings 2:2; 1 Kings 2:4;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    I tarry long [β ρ α δ υ ν ω]. Only here and 2 Peter 3:9. Thou oughtest to behave thyself [δ ε ι α ν α σ τ ρ ε φ ε σ θ α ι]. The verb ajnastrefesqai only here in Pastorals. In Paul, 2 Corinthians 1:12;...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    That thou mayest know how to behave — This is the scope of the epistle. In the house of God — Who is the master of the family. Which is — As if he had said, By the house of God, I mean the church....

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