1 Timothy 3:7-16

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1Ti 3:7  Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil's trap. 1Ti 3:8  In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money.

Life Application New Testament Commentary “Deacon” means “one who serves.” This position was possibly begun by the apostles in the Jerusalem church (Act_6:1-6) to care for the physical needs of the congregation. Deacons were leaders in the church, and their qualifications resemble those of the elders; yet their roles were probably somewhat different as they carried out some of the more practical tasks of running and maintaining a church.

The main difference was the Elders were to be very versed in the Bible and able to teach it properly. That would be there main job. Deacons in my experience take care of the church and handle the running of the church. Not that they are not well versed they tend to be younger.

1Ti 3:9  They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. 1Ti 3:10  Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.

A new word just enter the qualifications "Faith". Acts 6:3 Living Bible 6:3 “Now look around among yourselves, dear brothers, and select seven men, wise and full of the Holy Spirit, who are well thought of by everyone; and we will put them in charge of this business. 1 Timothy 1:5Living Bible (TLB)5 What I am eager for is that all the Christians there will be filled with love that comes from pure hearts, and that their minds will be clean and their faith strong.

The requirements are for them to be full of the Holy Spirit and have good faith. The congregation should be looking for people who have these attributes. In the modern church this has not always held up. It can become a popularity contest and that would be wrong.

1Ti 3:11  In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do. 1Ti 3:12  A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well.

Not only the elders and deacons but the family is now held to a different standard. I am sure that by now you can see that being called to be a Deacon or an elder is no small matter. Elders and Deacons actually are the ones that are supposed to elect the pastor in most churches. The responsibility is great but I think the rewards for helping others grow in Jesus is a much greater reward.

1Ti 3:13  Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus. 

THE TRUTHS OF OUR FAITH

1 Timothy 3:14-16

1Ti 3:14  I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, 1Ti 3:15  so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth. 1Ti 3:16  Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.

Life Application New Testament Commentary:

Paul hoped to arrive in Ephesus and see Timothy within a short time of this letter’s arrival. In case Paul arrived later than planned, he wrote these instructions to Timothy and the Ephesian church. This letter most likely confirmed instructions about governing the church already given to Timothy by Paul. This letter’s arrival, prior to Paul’s appearance, would have bolstered Timothy’s authority in the church to continue to guide the church according to these instructions and to counteract the false teachers.

3:14-15 Again, in opposition to the false teachers who were full of false beliefs, Paul aimed at truthful behavior within the church. Actions speak louder than words, and in harmony they create an attractive song. Paul also knew that if he got the Ephesian Christians behaving as God wanted them to live, the noise of the false teachers would be drowned out.

Lest there be any doubt, Paul identified the household of God as the church of the living God (see also 1Co_3:16-17; 2Co_6:16; Eph_2:20-22). This “church” does not refer to any particular physical building; rather, it is a collection of all believers in Ephesus and, by extension, across the world. These believers, each serving and worshiping in their individual churches, are the pillar and support of God’s truth. The church is not the source of this truth; rather, it functions as the custodian of and the witness to the truth. Those who believe God’s truth have the power to change the world. That truth is outlined in the hymn Paul quoted from in the following verses.

3:16 In this short paragraph, probably an excerpt from an early hymn of the church, Paul affirmed the humanity and divinity of Christ. (For other examples of hymns, see Eph_5:19; Col_3:6; and Php_2:5.) By so doing, Paul revealed the heart of the gospel, the great mystery of our faith. Every phrase of the hymn is a “mystery” beyond our comprehension yet available for us to believe. We accept the truth as it has been revealed to us. And the results of our belief are life-changing.

Christ appeared in the flesh. Jesus was a man; his incarnation provides the basis for our being right with God (Php_2:7-8 ; see also Rom_1:3).

He was shown to be righteous by the Spirit. Jesus’ resurrection showed that the Holy Spirit’s power was in him (Act_2:32-33).

He was seen by angels. Jesus is divine and exalted (Php_2:9; see also Col_2:15; Heb_1:6). Presumably, the entire drama of the Incarnation was a spectacle for the angels. They were witnesses and heralds of his coming. But within this poetic expression, the role of the angels and their exposure to Christ exceeds his time on earth.

He was announced to the nations, pointing to the worldwide proclamation of the gospel (Col_1:23).

He was believed on in the world. Christ is not only preached among all nations, but he also is believed on across the world. This points to a continual fulfillment today as Christ is still preached in nations that have not heard of him.

Finally, he was taken up into heaven. This refers to the Ascension: “The same one who came down is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that his rule might fill the entire universe” (Eph_4:10).

  Dave