Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
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”
He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
Summary: Paul’s instruction about having a good reputation with outsiders is a key diagnostic tool for determining someone’s fitness for serving as an overseer.
This verse goes to the heart of the entire Bible.
In this passage, Paul refers to “outsiders.” This is important! Who are they and what are they?
Continue reading “1 Timothy 3:7 – The Heart of God’s Word”
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
Summary: Paul’s warning about conceit and judgment applies as much to all believers as it does to overseers.
Of the five categories in an overseer’s job description, Spiritual Maturity is perhaps the most important.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 3:6 – Spiritual Maturity”
If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?
Summary: Paul’s question is important. How we understand his words could mean the difference between a happy church and a broken one.
I know that our last meditation, “A Portrait of Faith,” discussed the need for an overseer to manage his family well, but this verse is different. In this passage, Paul poses an important question:
Continue reading “1 Timothy 3:5 – A Better Overseer”