Frameworks:
1 Timothy 3
For
preliminaries see chapter 1
[Chapter
3 Synopsis: More about good order in the church, about
those who serve in spiritual leadership and those who serve more
in the material realm of the church, aiming for good order and
godliness]
v.1-7
Qualifications for Overseers
v.8-13
Qualifications for Deacons
v.14-16
Maintaining right teaching for godliness
v.1-7
Qualifications for Overseers
[Passage
Synopsis: Guidance for what is required of an overseer
Note:
the word ‘overseer' signifies one who watches over and guards
the flock, while elsewhere they are referred to as elders (signifying
maturity) or pastors (signifying their caring, feeding role]
v.1
(it's good to
want to be a protector) Here
is a trustworthy saying: whoever aspires to be an overseer desires
a noble task.
v.2,3
(their character
is to be above reproach) Now
the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate,
self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given
to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a
lover of money.
v.4
(they must manage
their own family well) He must
manage his own family well and see that his children obey him,
and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.
v.5
(otherwise how
can they manage the church) (If
anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he
take care of God's church?)
v.6
(they must be
mature ) He must not be a recent
convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment
as the devil.
v.7
(they must also
have a good repusation) He must
also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not
fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.
v.8-13
Qualifications for Deacons
[Passage
Synopsis: similar guidance for those who serve in maintaining
the order and well-being of the church]
v.8
(deacons likewise
must reveal righteousness) In
the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not
indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.
v.9
(they must be
true believers, holders of the faith [i.e. not just nice people
from outside]) They must keep
hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.
v.10
(they must be
checked out before serving) They
must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them,
let them serve as deacons.
v.11
(similarly any
women servants) In the same
way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers
but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
v.12
(deacons must
be faithful in family life) A
deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children
and his household well.
v.13
(if they serve
well they will be of high repute) Those
who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance
in their faith in Christ Jesus.
v.14-16
Maintaining right teaching for godliness
[Passage
Synopsis: this teaching is to maintain order and godliness in
the church, holding the basic doctrines of Christ]
v.14,15
(here is guidance
for good order in the church) Although
I hope to come to you soon, I am writing to you with these instructions
so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct
themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living
God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
v.16
(real godliness
comes as a result of the gospel – Jesus on earth, died and rose
and ascended) Beyond all question,
the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared
in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was
preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was
taken up in glory.
(CONTINUE
to CHAPTER 4)