Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
He appeared in the flesh…
Summary: There are probably a million things to say about Jesus appearing in the flesh. We will focus on just a few.
At the perfect point in history, the following conversation took place in a small town half way between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee:
Continue reading “1 Timothy 3:16b – God’s Son”
Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:
Summary: Paul is pointing us to a ‘mystery’ that only God understands the answer to. For our part, it is enough to see and believe.
It must be a challenge, even for God, to communicate with us. After all, God is an eternal being (Psalm 90:4). His ‘living memory’ spans all of time. He created everything there is (Genesis 1:1), which means that even our highest form of math and the farthest reaches of our science barely scratch the surface of God’s knowledge.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 3:16a – Unusual Clarity”
… God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
Summary: God’s Word paints a picture connecting three things into one very important picture.
Personally, I enjoy the verses like this one. In this passage, Paul provides us with a definition. In fact, he provides us with three! He ties together three important points in a simple equation.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 3:15b – Family Portrait”
Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household…
Summary: Yes, God cares about us and what we do. Paul helps us understand what God expects of us.
What a blessing that Paul took time to write down his ‘instructions’ for God’s household!
Continue reading “1 Timothy 3:14-15a – Good Conduct”
Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
Summary: Paul addresses a question that often haunts the believer’s mind.
I was in a Bible class the other day, and one of the people there asked if people can lose their salvation.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 3:13 – The Path to Assurance”
A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.
Summary: Once more, Paul circles back to his guiding principles for church leadership.
Does this passage sound familiar? Let’s compare it to what Paul wrote about overseers:
Continue reading “1 Timothy 3:12 – A Deacon’s Standards”
In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
Summary: Paul’s words for women are remarkably similar to the instructions he has for men.
Who writes a book that takes over fifteen hundred years to complete? Someone who lives a long time, that’s who.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 3:11 – Respect”
They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
Summary: It turns out that testing deacons is very similar to testing overseers. They have a lot in common.
This is an intriguing passage! How do you “test” someone who aspires to be a deacon?
In verse eight, Paul moves from his instructions about overseers into a discussion about deacons. He begins with the words, “In the same way…”
Continue reading “1 Timothy 3:10 – The Test”
They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.
Summary: Paul’s reference to the “deep truths of the faith” and a “clear conscience” point to things that only the eyes of faith can see.
When we read Paul’s words, we are always looking through the lens of the translators who make it possible for us to read the Bible in English. Translating from Greek is not an easy task, and translators sometimes have to make hard choices when selecting their words.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 3:9 – The Eyes of Faith”
In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.
Summary: Paul’s introduction to the work of a deacon leads us to wonder, “What is a deacon, anyway?”
When Paul begins with “In the same way…” he means in the same way overseers are worthy of respect (1 Timothy 3:4), deacons should be worthy of respect.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 3:8 – Deacons”