March 2nd 2025 1 Timothy ch 3
The chapter starts with Qualifications of Church Officers. 3 v 1-13.
The opening words of this section probably belong with the last thought of chapter 2, as is suggested in the ASV margin. All the other occurrences of the saying (I Tim 1 v 15; 4 v 9; II Tim 2 v 11; Tit 3 v 8) seem to follow or precede weighty statements of Gospel doctrine.
It is so here, also, if the childbearing of 2 v 15 is taken to refer to the birth of the Saviour.
This seems the preferable interpretation.
Paul then begins a consideration of an elder's qualifications, which he treats in orderly fashion: personally (v. 2,3), as regards his family (v. 4,5), as regards the church (v. 5,6), and as regards the heathen world (v. 7).
In the second half of this section the apostle deals with deacons and deaconesses (v. 8-13), whose qualifications are parallel to those of elders.
1. Office of a bishop. it also occurs at Lk 19 v 44, Acts 1 v 20, and I Pet 2 v 12.
at Heb 12 v 15, suggesting that the basic function is a responsibility of every believer
The word bishop occurs at Acts 20 v 28; Phil 1 v 1; Tit 1 v 7; I Pet 2 v 2.5.
The office of elder and bishop are the same; in Tit l v,5,7 both words are used of the same people in successive verses.
In Acts 20 v 28 it is the elders whom the Holy Spirit has set as bishops ( overseers) in the Church.
If a man desire the office ... he desireth, etc. Two words are used for desire here.
The first is used only here in 6 v 10, and in Heb 11 v 16.
A man's earnest desire for the office should be like Abraham's desire for the heavenly country.
The other word is used more frequently, but also expresses earnest desire (Heb 6 v 11; I Pet 1 v 12; Lk 22 v 15).
2. Blameless. (Irreproachable); the same Greek word is used in 5 v 7 and 6:14.
Vigilant. (temperate.) Originally meant "temperate in use of wine," but here it is to be taken figuratively, since the next verse forbids intemperance. it means to be self-controlled or self-possessed.
Sober. (Sober-minded) see also Tit 1 v 8; 2 v 2,.5.
Of good behaviour. (Orderly) used of women's clothing in 2 v 9.
Hospitality. Used in Tit 1 v 8; I Pet 4 v 9.
Apt to teach. Used only here and in 2 Tim 2 V 24: in the one place of the elder, in the other of the minister.
3. Not given to wine.
No brawler not quarrelsome over wine , no drunkard.
No striker. Not pugnacious or a bully. Used only here and Tit l v 7.
Not greedy of filthy lucre. Not a lover of money or wealth , trusting the Lord to supply all we need
Perhaps it was taken from the similar list of virtues in Tit l v 7.
Patient. Gentle or yielding (Phil 4 v .5; Tit 3 v 2; Jas 3 v 17; I Pet 2 v 18).
Not a brawler. Not Contentious (ASV), as in Tit 3 v 2.
Not covetous.
No lover of money Used only here and in Heb 13 v 5.
Notice the repeat of some of them, when the Lord thinks they are important He repeats them to make sure we pay attention to them
4,5. Ruleth. To be at the head of Leadership and direction are prominent in the word, as indicated in the following clause, and in 3 v .5. The verb in 3 v 5 (used elsewhere only in Lk 10 v 34,35) is explanatory of the ruleth of verse 4, with increased emphasis on the tender care implied.
6. Not a novice. Not newly converted. Occurs only here in the NT. "But, instead of being a novice, one of whose behaviour in his new faith little can be known, he must also have a good testimony (not only from those within the church, but) from those without"
7. He must have a good report of them which are without.
The same thought is found in Rom 12 v 17 b, which is quoted from Proverbs.
Let not kindness and truth forsake thee ... so shalt thou find favour and good repute in the sight of God and man ( Prov 3 v ,3,4).
Notice the warning against pride in the same OT context ( Prov 3 v 7), also quoted in Rom 12 v 16b.
Reproach, This is a parallel to the condemnation pronounced upon Satan because of pride (see Isa 14 v 12-15).
Snare. Used in I Tim 6 v 9 and II Tim 2 v 26.
Pride was the cause of Satan's fall, and is the snare he sets for men (I Jn 2 v 16).
News from the Church New dates
5th March …..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
19th March….. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
ANSWERS TO 23rd February QUESTIONS
1) Sixth 2) Twelve 3) Ten 4) Twelve 5) Ten 6) Forty 7) One 8) One hundred and fifty 9) Third
10) 969 years 11) Seven of each 12) Two of each 13) 600 years 14) 120 days 15) Sixth 16) Thirty
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is “who said this”
1 Let there be light?
2 Am I my brothers keeper?
3 I know that my Redeemer liveth?
4 If I perish, I perish?
5 Make thee an ark of gopher wood?
6 Ye shall not surely die?
7 I do set my bow in the sky?
8 As for me and my house we will serve the Lord?
9 This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh?
10 The Lord …. Will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine?
11 Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth?
12 Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh?
13 Here am I send me?
14 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain?
15 The Lord is my shepherd?
16 Whither thou goest, I will go?
Written by Ivan Biancardi
LET JESUS TAKE CARE OF YOUR SINS
A few years ago Leila and I had enjoyed a nice dinner at a local restaurant. When we received the bill, a friend saw us and came over to us. After we talked for a few moments, he took care of us. “I'll handle it,” he said.
Know what? I let him do what he wanted. I let him take care of the account. One day we will stand before God. We will all be there. We will all have to take care of our lives… every thought, every act, every action. If not for the grace of Christ, that would be a terrifying thought to me.
However, according to Scripture, Jesus came “to take away the sins of the world” (John 1:29).
On that day, I'll point to Christ. When my list of sins is produced, I'll point him out and say "He took care."
Let him take care of his.
God Bless