week 19 day 1

Read 1 Timothy 3

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+3&version=NIV

3::1 True and effective leadership supports and serves God’s truth. The point of this section is to make sure that a person with a great desire for leadership (3:1) has the appropriate character. The problem was not with desiring to be a leader. It was with being qualified to be a leader. Leadership is not something a person gets just because he wants it. “Overseer” or Elder (3:1) emphasizes the responsibility of giving oversight and emphasizes the dignity and maturity required for the office (cf. Titus 1:5, 7). The stress on these qualifications was the moral and spiritual qualities necessary to give leadership to God’s people. The first and last qualifications are foundational (3:1, 7). The others are more specific.

3:2–7 “above reproach” (3:2) summarizes all the qualifying characteristics that follow. “Must be” (3:2) controls all the traits that follow. “Faithful to his wife” refers to a character trait: a faithful husband or a sexually controlled single person. The expression literally reads “one wife’s husband.” The grammar also suggests that character, not just a head count of wives is in view. To be qualified for the office of elder, a married man must be faithful to his one wife. With reference to women, see 1 Timothy 5:9, 14–15. The temperate man knows his functions and limitations and is able to exercise his abilities accordingly. Enjoy having guests in his home (3:2) is related to Exodus 22:21–22. The elder must have a household that can be run similarly to the household of God. The home always reflects the character and ability of its leader.

3:8–10 The deacon is just as important as an overseer. The word “deacon” literally means “servant.” The term can be used of an officer in the church or in an unofficial sense of anyone who serves (cf. Eph. 6:21). The origin of the office of deacon can be traced to Acts 6:1–6. The qualifications are similar to those of the elder. Dignity is related to that which produces worship. A deacon is dignified if signs of a higher order can be detected in him (cf. also 1 Tim. 2:2; 3:4). Three negatives follow which further define and explain dignity. Conscience (3:9) is the source of love (cf. 1:5, 19). The deacon also is worthy of being tested to ascertain that he is blameless. The “likewise” (3:8) presumes the testing of elders. Lest some should think that the lesser office of deacon does not require this, Paul adds this emphatic command.

3:11 The women mentioned in 3:11 are logically related to deacons. But the Greek word for women does not necessarily mean wives. It is debated whether the women mentioned here refer to the wives of deacons or to deaconesses. If they were deaconesses, one would expect that they would be mentioned after the discussion of deacons. The placement of the verse in the middle of the paragraph about deacons seems to suggest that they were the wives of deacons. Yet one wonders why this qualification would be mentioned for deacons and not for elders (cf. 3:1–7). It has been suggested that deacons could be men or women and that verse 11 just adds qualifications relevant for those deacons who are female. It is oriented to an office of deacon relative to women. Phoebe is called a deaconess (Rom. 16:1), but this may reflect the unofficial use of the word (“service”) as in 1 Corinthians 16:15.

3:12–13 Paul returns to the office of deacon to stress further qualifications (3:12) and rewards (3:13).

3:14–16 Paul revealed at this point the purpose of his letter to Timothy: it was to inform his associate and the church at Ephesus concerning the proper conduct of members in the local church. The “mystery of godliness” (3:16) is the bringing together of the spheres of heaven and earth in the incarnation of Christ. It focuses on Christ, who is able to produce a life of godliness in those who trust him. This verse may have been an early creed or perhaps a Christian hymn. This verse details the “truth” that is upheld by the church. That definition functions to underscore the importance of qualified church leadership. Leaders support the truth of Christ by their lives.

Discussion question & reflection question

Paul says in verse 7 that the leaders of the church should have a good reputation with outsiders. Do you think that statement should go beyond the leaders of the church? Why?