The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy Chapter Three
1 This is a true saying, If any man desires the office of a Bishop, he desireth a worthy work.
2 A Bishop, therefore, must be unreproveable, the husband of one wife, watching, temperate, modest, harborous, apt to teach,
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre, but gentle, no fighter, not covetous.
4 One that can rule his own house honestly, having children under obedience with all honesty.
5 For if any cannot rule his own house, how shall he care for the Church of God?
6 He may not be a young scholar, lest he being puffed up fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 He must also be well reported of, even of them which are without, lest he fall into rebuke and the snare of the devil.
8 Likewise, must Deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given unto much wine, neither to filthy lucre,
9 Having the mystery of the faith in pure conscience.
10 And let them first be proved, then let them, minister, if they be found blameless.
11 Likewise their wives must be honest, not evil speakers, but sober, and faithful in all things.
12 Let the Deacons be the husbands of one wife, and such as can rule their children well, and their own households.
13 For they that have ministered well, get themselves a good decree, and great liberty in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
14 These things write I unto thee, trusting to come very shortly unto thee.
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest yet know, how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth.
16 And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness, which is, God is manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of Angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.
Editor’s thoughts:
Verses 1-12 are the qualifications of office within the Christian Church. First note that both positions are to be considered for men with high standards and should meet with what God considers to be such. Such men, should likewise not seek such positions for self-aggrandizement, but to only to be able to serve God even more so by helping to shepherd His flocks.
Secondly, brethren, we should make note, in particular of verses seven and thirteen. For such men of Godly honor are an example to those that are not of the faith. Let others that are the world see them as men of honor, good moral standings, compassionate, merciful, and filled with a sense justice towards others both inside and outside of the faith. Such men will not only receive accolades from God but from those outside of the church.
Verse 15-16 - This then is the foundation of the church, the rock, (See Matthew 7:24-25, 16:18), that we build and more importantly practice our faith on this pillar, as written by Paul. One might call them the creed or confession of faith, that God is Who He says He is.
R.P. Woitowitz - Servant of Christ Jesus
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