Paul’s third chapter continues to describe his expectations for leaders and members of local churches.  He begins by commending those who aspire to be spiritual leaders in their local congregations.

“Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task” 1 Timothy 3:1

While the NIV uses the word overseer, other translations have used words like bishop (episkopos in Greek) and elder (presbyteros in Greek) to describe the role of giving oversight in a local church. Some describe what Paul is addressing as being responsible for providing “spiritual supervision and leadership” to a congregation.

Leadership Qualifications

In 1 Timothy 3:2-4 Paul lays out some quite specific and very practical standards for those appointed to lead in a church:

• Above reproach
• Faithful to his wife
• Temperate
• Self-controlled
• Respectable
• Hospitable
• Able to teach
• Not given to drunkenness
• Not violent but gentle
• Not quarrelsome
• Not a lover of money
• He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect

Paul points out that managing a family is a useful preparation for leading in a church context. And he cautions against appointing recent converts to leadership positions because of the dangers of pride, and their need to be prepared to withstand the devil’s attacks.

Paul’s strategic church planting efforts in many cities taught him the importance of helping believers relate well to non-believers. Maintaining a good reputation with “outsiders” would make it possible to build respectful relationships in the local community. No doubt Paul was praying that this advice would open doors for Timothy’s converts to find ways to freely share the gospel with their neighbors.

The Office of Deacon

In the New Testament the word deacon (diakonos in Greek) is used 39 times. Translated as either servant or minister, deacons are known for providing practical assistance of various kinds.

Deacons are to be just as worthy of respect as the overseers according to Paul. They must be sincere, not over-indulging in wine, and not seeking financial gain from their service.

“They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.” 1 Timothy 3:9—10

The “women” mentioned in verse 11, may be deaconesses, the wives of deacons, other women, or women workers. Paul expects women believers,

“To be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.” 1 Timothy 3:11

Whether leading or serving, male or female, the same high standards are expected:

“Servants in the church are to be committed to their spouses, attentive to their own children, and diligent in looking after their own affairs. Those who do this servant work will come to be highly respected a real credit to this Jesus-faith.” 1 Timothy 3:12—13, The Message

Word Pictures to Describe the Church

Paul wanted to visit Timothy and the Ephesian believers in person, but knew there were no guarantees he could make the trip so he wrote a letter to cover the topics he would have discussed in person.

He compares the church to a family by using the term “God’s household” (oikos in Greek),

“Which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”  1 Timothy 3:15

Scholars suggest that by referring to the church as “pillar and foundation of the truth” Paul may also have compared it to the temple devoted to ‘Diana of the Ephesians.’ It was renowned for its massive pillars and was a familiar sight to the Ephesian believers.

Truth in Song

Paul knew that hymns often enable Christians to learn and actually memorize key biblical truths, so he quotes from a Christian hymn that was probably sung in the Ephesian church. He introduces the quotation with a typical Pauline flourish:

“Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,

was vindicated by the Spirit,

was seen by angels,

was preached among the nations,

was believed on in the world,

was taken up in glory.

Avoid False Teaching

Paul warned Timothy to watch out for false teachers—hypocritical liars who forbade marriage, and instructed their followers to abstain from certain foods.

Some were already abandoning their faith to follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. True to the Gospel of grace, Paul rejects such teachings, by stating that God created those foods—

“To be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:3—5

Keep Spiritually Fit

Paul reminded Timothy of the sound teaching he had personally followed, and challenged the young pastor to become an example for those he was now shepherding and nurturing.

“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come . . .That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe” 1 Timothy 4:7—8; 10

Paul set a high bar for his disciple to follow:

“Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.” 1 Timothy 4:11—14

Above all, Paul urged Timothy to achieve a balanced life. To accomplish this he would need to pray, and persevere—watching both his life and paying attention to the content of his teaching.  He would also need to become skillful in managing relationships in the congregation.

Relating to Fellow Believers

“Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity” 1 Timothy 4:1—2

One of the challenges the early church had to work through was how to care appropriately for widows. So Paul wanted to avoid burdening the church with a widow whose own family members could take care of her. But he also wanted to ensure that widows with no other means of support did receive care from the church. (1 Timothy 5:3—16)

Next Paul addressed providing for elders who do the work of preaching and teaching. He says these elders are worthy of a “double honor”—respect for their character, and financial support for their hard work on behalf of the church and its members.

Church Discipline

Paul also advises Timothy about the discipline of church elders, writing:

“Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. I charge you in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.” 1 Timothy 5:19—21

We gain a glimpse of Paul’s personality as we watch him vary his focus from serious matters on the one hand, to more informal comments that are interspersed in his communications like the next quotation:

“Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.”  1 Timothy 5:22—23

In the first century slavery was an accepted institution, and so Paul gave Timothy some basic pointers to consider when counseling either slaves or those who employed them.

Godly Contentment

Today’s reading ends with a call to be satisfied with what God provides.

“Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:6–10

Paul expected Timothy to teach sound instruction—built upon the Scriptures and Paul’s own example in his life, teachings, and writings.