From regulations concerning public worship Paul naturally moves to. consideration of the qualifications of those who oversee the local congregation. The purpose of this section is to give the local congregation the information it needs to select qualified men for this office. It is clear that Timoth... [ Continue Reading ]
“AN OVERSEER, THEN, MUST BE”: The term “must be” means it is necessary, there is need of, it behooves, is right and proper _(Thayer p. 126). _“One must or has to” _(Arndt p. 172). _“It is necessary” _(Reese p. 111). _ 1. The qualifications are “musts” and to remain qualified the elder must continue... [ Continue Reading ]
“NOT ADDICTED TO WINE”: Literally, the expression is “not beside wine”. “It is not merely drunkenness that is here prohibited; if it was, we would doubtless have the word which is appropriated to the expression of that idea. Neither is the idea of ‘much' in the original. The term, ‘by wine', means s... [ Continue Reading ]
“HE MUST BE ONE WHO MANAGES”: This indicates that the elder must presently rule his household well. This is not an optional requirement. Contrary to the claims of some, this verse does demand that the elder have children! 1 TIMOTHY 3:4 “MANAGES”: “To be over, superintend, preside over” _(Thayer p.... [ Continue Reading ]
“BUT IF. MAN DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO MANAGE HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD, HOW WILL HE TAKE CARE OF THE CHURCH OF GOD?” Here is the reason for the qualification. The results that. man gets with his own family will be an indication of the results that may be expected in the household of God. “Ill-trained, bad chil... [ Continue Reading ]
“AND NOT. NEW CONVERT”: It takes time to become “apt to teach” (Hebrews 5:12). To feed the flock, one must know more than just the milk of the word or just the first principles of Christianity. To do battle with false teachers, one must have. working knowledge of the word, and have experience (Tit... [ Continue Reading ]
“AND HE MUST HAVE. GOOD REPUTATION WITH THOSE OUTSIDE THE CHURCH”: Please note that the elder is. man from the community in which the congregation is located and not some administrator with headquarters in. distant city. Often people can put on. front when with other Christians and at the services.... [ Continue Reading ]
“DEACONS”: DIAKONOS: primarily denotes. servant, one who executes the commands of another,. servant, attendant, minister. The word translated "deacon", usually has the ordinary meaning of “servant”. This word is used for Civil Government (Romans 13:4); Evangelists (1 Corinthians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 6... [ Continue Reading ]
“BUT HOLDING TO THE MYSTERY OF THE FAITH”: The “mystery” is the spiritual truth found in the gospel (Ephesians 3:6; Ephesians 6:19). So much for idea that deacons are nothing more than church janitors and maintenance men. These men need to have. firm hold on the faith, that is, the contents of Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
“THESE MEN MUST FIRST BE TESTED”: Put to the test, examined. Translations: “Let them also be tested first” (RSV); “they must first undergo. scrutiny” (NEB). 1 TIMOTHY 3:10 “THEN LET THEM SERVE AS DEACONS”: This “proving” happens prior to their appointment as. deacon. The congregation proves the me... [ Continue Reading ]
“WOMEN MUST LIKEWISE BE”: “Even so much their wives be” (KJV, Con, Ber, Phi). The term translated “women” can refer to either. married or unmarried woman, and its meaning is determined by the context. The term “likewise” indicates that. new category is being discussed. These woman are neither elders... [ Continue Reading ]
“DEACONS MUST BE HUSBANDS OF ONLY ONE WIFE”: This would exclude the single man. Some view this as meaning that the deacon cannot be. polygamist, but polygamy is something that would have been ceased at conversion with any Christian (1 Corinthians 7:1; Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 6:9). _“Is the Deacon s... [ Continue Reading ]
“FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED WELL AS DEACONS OBTAIN FOR THEMSELVES. HIGH STANDING AND GREAT CONFIDENCE IN THE FAITH THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS.” Deacons who perform well have as. consequence greater confidence in their relationship with God. They will develop greater confidence in their faith. Being. dea... [ Continue Reading ]
“I AM WRITING THESE THINGS TO YOU, HOPING TO COME TO YOU BEFORE LONG”: “These things” would include the specific qualifications just mentioned and the entire letter as well.... [ Continue Reading ]
“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 15:22). 1 TIMOTHY 3:15 “SO THAT YOU WILL KNOW HOW ONE OUGHT TO CONDUCT HIMSELF IN THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD... [ Continue Reading ]
“BY COMMON CONFESSION”: By consent of all, undenabily, most certainly. 1 TIMOTHY 3:16 “GREAT IS THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS”: Of great moment, of great weight, sublime, majestic, important. The term “mystery” does not refer to something that can never been known, but rather to something that at one ti... [ Continue Reading ]