if. App-118 . tarry long = delay. Greek. braduno . Here and 2 Peter 3:9 . that = in order that. Greek. Heir, behave thyself . Greek. anastrepho . See 2 Corinthians 1:12 . An alternative reading, as Revised Version, "how men ought to behave themselves". pillar . Greek. stulos . See Galatians 1:2 , Galatians 1:9 . ground Greek. hedraiomo Only here. read more
but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.How men ought to behave ... This may well be translated "how thou oughtest to behave ..."; but as White said, "It is a matter of indifference"[36] which rendition is followed, the meaning being the same either way.As Hervey pointed out, "Here again is a somewhat remarkable resemblance in the phraseology of the Epistle to the... read more
1 Timothy 3:15. The house of God, which is the church, &c.— Dr. Benson renders this, that thou, who art the ground and pillar of the truth, mightest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the church of God. Dr. Doddridge observes, that though many good critics refer this descriptive clause to Timothy, agreeably to that figure by which St. Peter is called a pillar, Galatians 2:9. (compare Revelation 3:12.) yet he thinks, had this been the construction, the accusative case would have... read more
15. But if I tarry long—before coming to thee. that—that is, I write (1 Timothy 3:14) "that thou mayest know," c. behave thyself—in directing the Church at Ephesus (1 Timothy 3:14- :). the house of God—the Church (Hebrews 3:2 Hebrews 3:5; Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 10:21; 1 Peter 4:17; 1 Corinthians 3:16, "the temple of God"; 1 Corinthians 3:16- :). which is—that is, inasmuch as it is. the church—"the congregation." The fact that the sphere of thy functions is "the congregation of the living God"... read more
Paul wrote that he hoped to join Timothy soon."A pseudonymous writer would hardly have put in this phrase. Paul’s hopes were not to be realized, but he did not know that." [Note: Robertson, 4:575.] In view of the context, Paul evidently was thinking of the local church when he spoke of it as a household and as a pedestal. [Note: See Robert A. Carlson, "An Evaluation of 1 Timothy 3:15 as a Pauline Description of the Nature and Task of the Local Church" (Th.M. thesis, Dallas Theological Seminary,... read more
D. The nature of the local church 3:14-16Paul explained his reason for writing this epistle and, in particular, what he had just said. He also prepared for what he would yet say. He did so to impress on Timothy a view of the church that was foundational to all his instructions in this letter."It is now generally recognized that this paragraph is the heart of the Pastoral corpus . . ., which puts the instructions of the corpus into proper perspective." [Note: Mounce, p. 214. Cf. Guthrie, p. 87.] read more
Concerning the Officers of the Church1-7. The fourth charge to Timothy, in respect to presbyters.1. Desireth a good work] i.e. a noble occupation.2. A bishop] RV ’the bishop,’ RM ’overseer.’ Some think (see General Intro.) that the terms ’bishop’ and ’elder’ are used interchangeably in these Epistles, as they seem to have been at an earlier date (Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1). Others, however, think that, at the close of the apostolic age, to which these Epistles belong, the term ’bishop’ was... read more
(15) But if I tarry long.—St. Paul felt that dangers were pressing closer and closer—that the hoped-for visit to his loved church at Ephesus might not, probably never would be, accomplished; so these foregoing solemn directions respecting the choice of colleagues in the ministry had been written to Timothy, that, in the event of St. Paul never coming to him again, men (especially the ministers of God) should know how to conduct themselves in the congregation.That thou mayest know how thou... read more
Modern Snares 1 Timothy 3:7 I. The snares are always about our feet. They vary in their guise, but their purpose remains unchanged. I want to look at a few of the perils which thus beset the youth of our modern life. (1) There is the snare of materialism. I speak of it not as a theory, but as a life. In Watts' 'Mammon' there is a great pompous figure in heavy scarlet and gold. His face is fat and sightless. Brutal hands and feet are resting carelessly on the Godlike figures of the young. The... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 3:14-16
The true church; the false teachers (3:14-4:5)Timothy is urged to remind the believers that their behaviour should reflect the character of the church of God to which they belong. That church is not like a heathen temple occupied by some lifeless god, but is the dwelling place of the living God and the upholder of his truth (14-15). This living God (in the words of an early Christian song that Paul quotes) entered the world of human existence in the person of Jesus Christ, who died, rose from... read more