1 Timothy 3:8-16
8: Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,
9: but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10: These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.
11: Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.
11: Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.
12: Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.
13: For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
14: I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long;
14: I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long;
15: but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
16: By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.
Next Paul addressed deacons. These are those in the Church who worked with the overseers, much like Timothy to Paul, and John Mark (Acts 13:5, 2 Timothy 4:11, Philemon 3). Paul gave qualifications for deacons as he had for the overseers. They were not to be “double-tongued” or those who just told people what they wanted to hear—one thing to one person and something else to another. Not a people-pleaser. They must, like an overseer, have dignity, self-control, not addicted to wine, and capable of being trusted with money.
They were to hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience; one who understands the mystery of the faith—the revelation of the Spirit as to God’s plan of salvation (Romans 16:25, 1 Corinthians 2:7-10). They too must first be tested and when found to be beyond reproach, they could serve as deacons. He mentioned the women—most likely the deacon’s wives who normally served with them, or deaconesses themselves. The women too had to meet qualifications in character and behavior.
Deacons, just as overseers, had to be the “husband of one wife” as mentioned yesterday. They must manage their homes well. This position, as well as the overseer, was an honorable position in Christ. There were some common traits between the deacon and overseer, yet a greater depth and detail in the overseer. The deacon appointments may have had more input from the people as we see was the case in Acts 6:3 for the appointment of “the seven.”
Paul told Timothy that he was giving him these instructions in case he was delayed in coming to visit. He hoped to come, but if unable, he wanted to be sure Timothy had guidance concerning the overseers and deacons if need be. He wanted it to be clear how one was to conduct himself in the household of God. The Church of the living God is His household. The people, or congregation of God are to be the pillar and support of the truth of the gospel. Some say verse 16 may be the words to a hymn, speaking of Jesus and giving a poetic summary of His time on earth.
16: By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.
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Next Paul addressed deacons. These are those in the Church who worked with the overseers, much like Timothy to Paul, and John Mark (Acts 13:5, 2 Timothy 4:11, Philemon 3). Paul gave qualifications for deacons as he had for the overseers. They were not to be “double-tongued” or those who just told people what they wanted to hear—one thing to one person and something else to another. Not a people-pleaser. They must, like an overseer, have dignity, self-control, not addicted to wine, and capable of being trusted with money.
They were to hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience; one who understands the mystery of the faith—the revelation of the Spirit as to God’s plan of salvation (Romans 16:25, 1 Corinthians 2:7-10). They too must first be tested and when found to be beyond reproach, they could serve as deacons. He mentioned the women—most likely the deacon’s wives who normally served with them, or deaconesses themselves. The women too had to meet qualifications in character and behavior.
Deacons, just as overseers, had to be the “husband of one wife” as mentioned yesterday. They must manage their homes well. This position, as well as the overseer, was an honorable position in Christ. There were some common traits between the deacon and overseer, yet a greater depth and detail in the overseer. The deacon appointments may have had more input from the people as we see was the case in Acts 6:3 for the appointment of “the seven.”
Paul told Timothy that he was giving him these instructions in case he was delayed in coming to visit. He hoped to come, but if unable, he wanted to be sure Timothy had guidance concerning the overseers and deacons if need be. He wanted it to be clear how one was to conduct himself in the household of God. The Church of the living God is His household. The people, or congregation of God are to be the pillar and support of the truth of the gospel. Some say verse 16 may be the words to a hymn, speaking of Jesus and giving a poetic summary of His time on earth.
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