One Year Journey Through the New Testament
1 Timothy 3
Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!
Qualifications of Overseers
1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
(1 Timothy 3:1–7, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- Paul continued to give Timothy instructions as his son, assistant, and perhaps future apostle.
- Paul gave Timothy the qualifications of a bishop, which was deemed a good work.
- Deacons must be:
- Good Character
- Monogamous and faithful as a husband
- Self-controlled
- Focused and clear
- Well-behaved
- Welcoming
- Able to teach the Bible
- Not a drinker
- Not violent
- Not greedy
- Gentle
- Not prone to fighting or bickering
- Not jealous of others’ success or blessings
- A good husband and father
- Not inexperienced, not prideful
- A good reputation
Qualifications of Deacons
8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. 11 Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(1 Timothy 3:8–13, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- Paul then moves on to the qualifications of deacons.
- Deacons must be:
- Reverent
- A man of his word
- Not a drunkard
- Not greedy
- Clear conscience
- Experienced
- Respectful families
- Good husbands and fathers
- Deacons who serve well receive respect and exhibit a boldness in the faith.
The Great Mystery
14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.
(1 Timothy 3:14–16, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- Paul told Timothy that he hoped to come to visit him shortly.
- However, if delayed, Paul wanted Timothy to know how to lead and conduct himself as a leader in the Church of God.
- Finally, Paul reminded Timothy of the mystery of godliness: God in the flesh, sinless, testified by the angels, preached to all men, believed on, and then ascended to glory.
- Let us live with the right leadership, and the right Savior and Lord.
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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.
Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.
Devoted To You 