Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
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.
Summary: Paul’s summary of a godly family provides us with both a guide and a diagnostic tool.
We have already talked about what it means for an overseer to be faithful to his wife (v 2). So let’s add this to our second category of traits in the overseer job description: “Family.”
Continue reading “1 Timothy 3:4 – A Portrait of Faith”
Now the overseer is to be … temperate…
Summary: As we continue examining Paul’s criteria for an overseer, we discover that there is a method to Paul’s list of things to look for in an overseer.
The next word in Paul’s job description for an overseer is “temperate.”
To be more accurate, the English translation in the NIV uses the word “temperate” for the word Paul used, which is “nēpháleos.” “Nēpháleos” is a Greek word that means “sober” in the sense of being circumspect.* However, it can also mean “abstaining from wine,” or at least from its “immoderate use.”†
Continue reading “1 Timothy 3:2c – Temperament “
Now the overseer is to be … faithful to his wife…
Summary: As Paul begins to outline the qualities of an overseer, the first one he turns to is the marriage relationship in a man’s life.
This passage is an excellent example of how the Bible defines itself.
So far, Paul has told us that being an overseer is a noble calling and that an overseer must be “above reproach.” Now he begins to tell us what “above reproach” means.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 3:2b – Faithfulness”
Now the overseer is to be above reproach…
Summary: Paul’s instructions on being an overseer lead us to consider where they come from and how they relate to God’s will for us.
Paul begins this part of his letter to Timothy with a job description for an overseer.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 3:2a – The Building Blocks of Integrity”
Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.
Summary: Leadership in the church has always been a challenge, and — quite frankly — somewhat of a miracle.
Here is another one of Paul’s “trustworthy sayings.” These appear to be key teachings that Paul wants us to use in the organization of the church.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 3:1 – Regula Fidei”
But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.
Summary: Paul’s words can feel challenging, yet if we look at them in the fullness of his meaning, we discover a message that is both egalitarian and demanding.
Paul’s view of men and women is interesting.
Earlier in verse eight, Paul says he wants men to pray, lift up holy hands, and do this without anger or disputing. Prayer requires a man to rely on God instead of themselves. Lifting up “holy hands” means our hands are clean — we haven’t been doing something we shouldn’t. Doing anything without anger and disputing can be challenging. But Paul is not finished yet. He goes on by telling women how he wants them to address their challenges, and then he says this:
Continue reading “1 Timothy 2:15 – Living by Faith”
And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.
Summary: Paul’s statement about Adam and Eve is often discussed but not always understood.
Do you think God would have allowed this verse to be in the Bible if it were not true?* I don’t think so, which leaves us with a conundrum: If Adam was not deceived, why did he eat the forbidden fruit?
Continue reading “1 Timothy 2:14 – Deception”
For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
Summary: If we visualize Adam and Eve as pieces of God’s puzzle picture called “Creation,” we begin to see ourselves as part of something truly beautiful.
Paul’s words in verse thirteen are a “puzzle.” If all the pieces are there, the puzzle makes sense. If not, then Paul’s words don’t make sense, either.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 2:13 – Puzzle Pieces”
… she must be quiet.
Summary: To understand what Paul intended to say here, it is helpful to engage in a thought experiment that might shed some light on what he is trying to address.
To address this passage, I propose that we indulge in a thought experiment. In this experiment, we are going to visit a large congregation (the denomination doesn’t matter).
Continue reading “1 Timothy 2:12b – Science Project”
I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man…
Summary: Paul’s instruction here seems both pointed and insensitive. However, viewed through the larger lens of the whole of Scripture, the problem may be more with how Paul says what he says than why he says it.
This is a difficult passage.
To put this into context, Paul’s letter to Timothy is essentially a “How To” manual for managing a church. In the verses that follow, Paul outlines his reasoning for giving this instruction, making it difficult to tackle this passage without considering the larger context.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 2:12a – An Abstract View”