But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:15
God’s Household – 1 Timothy 3
Remember the purpose of Paul’s letter to Timothy? Timothy is dealing with some drama in the church at Ephesus. The people are trying to take charge and are teaching incorrect doctrine and distracting the congregation. So, chapter three gives explicit instructions on the qualifications of overseers, deacons, and their wives. Then, Paul explains that he sends these instructions so that the people will know “how to conduct themselves in God’s household.”
If you are not an aspiring overseer, deacon, or wife, this chapter may not seem to be relevant to you. However, we should remember that ALL of God’s word teaches us.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
So, it is time to think about how this passage can encourage, instruct, or challenge each of us.
Above reproach
The qualifications for these positions of leadership are expansions of what every Christian is expected to model. Being self-controlled, gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy, etc. are behavioral descriptors that should apply to all of us. Overseers must also be “able to teach” and “not be a new convert” – these would be specific to the position, like listing a job description. Overseers, deacons, and their wives should conduct themselves in such a way that they are above reproach.
We can look at these characteristics and work toward them as ways to display Christ to the world around us, even if we never become a lead pastor or church staff member. Let’s make a quick list for each position.
Overseers – “A Noble Work”:
- Monogamous (“Husband of one wife”, vs 2)
- Self-controlled
- Sensible
- Respectable
- Hospitable
- Able to Teach
- Sober (“Not an excessive drinker”, vs 3)
- Gentle, not a bully
- Agreeable (“Not quarrelsome”, vs 3)
- Generous (“Not greedy”, vs 3)
- Competent father and household manager (vs 4)
- Experienced in the faith (“Not be a new convert”, vs 6)
- Have a good reputation in the community (vs 7)
This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.” An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy. He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil. Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap. 1 Timothy 3:1-7
Deacons:
- Worthy of respect
- Sober (“not drinking a lot of wine”, vs 8)
- Generous (“not greedy for money”, vs 8)
- “Holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience” (vs 9)
- Tested and approved (vs 9)
- Blameless
- Monogamous (“husbands of one wife”, vs 12)
- Good fathers and household managers (vs 12)
Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. Wives, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:8-13
Wives (Seems to refer to wives of those in leadership):
- Worthy of respect
- Truthful and kind (“Not slanderers”, vs 11)
- Self-controlled
- “Faithful in everything” (vs 11)
Most of these descriptions are very straightforward and easy to understand. The only one that seems a little difficult is in verse 9: deacons are described as “holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.”
What is this “mystery of the faith”?
A mystery of the faith usually refers to something about Jesus that our human minds do not naturally understand. Instead, we must have faith to believe the mystery. Thankfully, in this case, Paul answers our question if we read the last section of the chapter:
“I write these things to you, hoping to come to you soon. But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” 1 Timothy 3:14-16
We have a hard time understanding how:
- God could become flesh
- How the Spirit could identify Jesus as God’s perfect, blameless Son
- How the angels saw Him
- How He is preached among the nations
- How people all around the world believe in Him
- How He ascended into glory
Clear Consciences
These are mysteries to our natural minds, but God gives us faith to believe what He has revealed to us in His word. Deacons are to be “holding the mystery of the faith with clear consciences” – they don’t just say these mysteries are true, but they also believe whole-heartedly that they are true. Their consciences are clear because there is no difference between what they believe and what they say and do.
What is the Holy Spirit showing you?
When you read that list, what jumped out at you? Is there a descriptor on that list that you thought “I need to work on that!” when you read it? The Holy Spirit could be prompting you to examine that area of your life.
Not alone
We do not live in isolation as Christians. We are a part of God’s household – the church! Knowing we are not alone should help us fight discouragement. We can encourage others in “God’s household” and receive encouragement from them.
Trying to “do it all” at once can also cause us to get discouraged, so just choose one thing to focus on from this chapter. Make strides in your one thing this week.
1 Timothy 3 Action Step:
Read over the list again and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what your one thing is. Write it down and think about how you can work on it this week.
Our Bible art journaling this week is a family – to remind us that we are a part of God’s household! We are not alone!
Share your one thing in the comments on this post or under the 1 Timothy 3 post at www.facebook.com/devoinaction or tag me @devoinaction on Instagram – I’d love to hear what the Holy Spirit is telling you and see pics of your Bible journaling!
1 Timothy 3 Prayer:
Dear God, Teach us through your amazing Word. Reveal to us how this passage applies to our lives and give us one thing to work on in order to pull our lives more into alignment with Your will this week. Help us as we seek to live more Christ-centered lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.
If you want to see other posts in this series, click here for the series overview page: https://www.devotioninaction.com/fighting-discouragement-a-series-in-1-timothy/
For access to the free printables to use in Bible art journaling, click here: https://www.devotioninaction.com/resourcelibrary/
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