1 Timothy 3:8-16 - Qualifications Of Church Officials
Younger men, referred to as deacons, were appointed to subordinate tasks, especially the relief of the poor, Acts 6:1-15. Though their service was less important, their character must be of the highest quality. The strength of a church is as much in the godliness of those who fill subordinate offices, as in its acknowledged leaders. The caretaker of a church should be a man of as high ideals as its chief pastor. Nothing is common or unclean, nothing trivial and unimportant, where Christ's honor and glory are concerned. In the prophet's vision the very snuffers of the candlestick were of gold.
The women mentioned here are deaconesses, Romans 16:1. Governor Bradford, describing the church of the Pilgrim Fathers, says of a deaconess: "She honored her place and was an ornament to the congregation. She did frequently visit the sick and weak, and would gather relief for them. She was obeyed as a mother in Israel."
The Church is the earthly dwelling-place of God. It lifts up and maintains the standard of truth in the midst of men, therefore it is hated. It is most necessary that Christians should bear witness to the truth, collectively as well as individually. The facts given us to witness to are enumerated here in the six clauses of an ancient antiphonal chant. [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 Timothy 3
1How bishops, deacons, and their wives should be qualified; 14and to what end Paul wrote to Timothy of these things 15Of the church, and the blessed truth therein taught and professed
Greek Commentary for 1 Timothy 3:14
Shortly [εν ταχει] Old idiom (locative case of ταχος tachos quickness, speed). See note on Romans 16:20. A pseudonymous writer would hardly have put in this phrase. Paul‘s hopes were not to be realized, but he did not know that. [source]
Shortly [ἐν τάχει] The adverbial phrase once in Paul, Romans 16:20: only here in Pastorals. Several times in Luke and Acts, and twice in Revelation. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Timothy 3:14
Acts 20:25I know [εγω] Emphasis on υμεις παντες egō which is expressed. Ye all (οπσεστε humeis pantes). In very emphatic position after the verb εν οις διηλτον opsesthe (shall see) and the object (my face). Twice Paul will write from Rome (Philemon 2:24; Philemon 1:22) the hope of coming east again; but that is in the future, and here Paul is expressing his personal conviction and his fears. The Pastoral Epistles show Paul did come to Ephesus again (1 Timothy 1:3; 1 Timothy 3:14; 1 Timothy 4:13) and Troas (2 Timothy 4:13) and Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20). There need be no surprise that Paul‘s fears turned out otherwise. He had reason enough for them. Among whom I went about Apparently Paul here has in mind others beside the ministers. They represented the church in Ephesus and the whole region where Paul laboured. [source]
Acts 20:25Ye all [οπσεστε] In very emphatic position after the verb εν οις διηλτον opsesthe (shall see) and the object (my face). Twice Paul will write from Rome (Philemon 2:24; Philemon 1:22) the hope of coming east again; but that is in the future, and here Paul is expressing his personal conviction and his fears. The Pastoral Epistles show Paul did come to Ephesus again (1 Timothy 1:3; 1 Timothy 3:14; 1 Timothy 4:13) and Troas (2 Timothy 4:13) and Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20). There need be no surprise that Paul‘s fears turned out otherwise. He had reason enough for them. [source]
What do the individual words in 1 Timothy 3:14 mean?
These thingsto youI am writinghopingto cometoyouina short time
Greek Commentary for 1 Timothy 3:14
Old idiom (locative case of ταχος tachos quickness, speed). See note on Romans 16:20. A pseudonymous writer would hardly have put in this phrase. Paul‘s hopes were not to be realized, but he did not know that. [source]
The adverbial phrase once in Paul, Romans 16:20: only here in Pastorals. Several times in Luke and Acts, and twice in Revelation. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Timothy 3:14
Emphasis on υμεις παντες egō which is expressed. Ye all (οπσεστε humeis pantes). In very emphatic position after the verb εν οις διηλτον opsesthe (shall see) and the object (my face). Twice Paul will write from Rome (Philemon 2:24; Philemon 1:22) the hope of coming east again; but that is in the future, and here Paul is expressing his personal conviction and his fears. The Pastoral Epistles show Paul did come to Ephesus again (1 Timothy 1:3; 1 Timothy 3:14; 1 Timothy 4:13) and Troas (2 Timothy 4:13) and Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20). There need be no surprise that Paul‘s fears turned out otherwise. He had reason enough for them. Among whom I went about Apparently Paul here has in mind others beside the ministers. They represented the church in Ephesus and the whole region where Paul laboured. [source]
In very emphatic position after the verb εν οις διηλτον opsesthe (shall see) and the object (my face). Twice Paul will write from Rome (Philemon 2:24; Philemon 1:22) the hope of coming east again; but that is in the future, and here Paul is expressing his personal conviction and his fears. The Pastoral Epistles show Paul did come to Ephesus again (1 Timothy 1:3; 1 Timothy 3:14; 1 Timothy 4:13) and Troas (2 Timothy 4:13) and Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20). There need be no surprise that Paul‘s fears turned out otherwise. He had reason enough for them. [source]