1 Timothy 3

1 Timothy 3:1-4

The Second Order: The Appointment and Training of Church Leaders (Emphasis on Renewing of the Mind) – 1 Timothy 3:1 to 1 Timothy 4:16 gives a lengthy discourse on how to identify and train members for the offices of bishops and deacons, the primary leaders in a local congregation. This passage will emphasize the renewing of the mind for Christian leadership. Outline – Here is a proposed outline:

1. The Appointment of Church Leaders — 1 Timothy 3:1-132. The Training of Church Leaders — 1 Timothy 3:14 to 1 Timothy 4:16

1 Timothy 3:8-13

The Qualifications of Deacons – 1 Timothy 3:8-13 lists the qualifications of deacons in the church. The office of the deacon was instituted in Acts 6:1-7, with seven men being appointed to minister to the widows. The office of the deacon is mentioned in Philippians 1:1. Phebe is generally considered a deaconess in Cenchrea (Romans 16:1). Otherwise, there are only allusions to this office in the New Testament (Romans 12:7, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 1 Peter 4:11). Thus, it is not known how far reaching the office of the deacon extended under Paul’s ministry. Philippians 1:1, “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:” Romans 16:1, “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:” Romans 12:7, “Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;” 1 Corinthians 12:28, “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” 1 Peter 4:11, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 1 Timothy 3:8 — “Likewise must the deacons” – Comments - In some churches, deacons are ordained and appointed, then allowed to serve as deacons periodically, so that others will have a turn. However, in Scripture a man is appointed as a deacon as a divine office and ministry, so that God will always hold him to the responsibilities and office of a deacon, and not just on a periodic basis. 1 Timothy 3:8 — “not given to much wine” – Word Study on “given” – Strong says the Greek word “given” (προσέχω) (G4337) figuratively means, “to hold the mind towards, i.e. to pay attention to, to be cautious about, to apply oneself to, to adhere to.” Comments – The Greek phrases “μὴπάροινον” (1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7), “μὴοἴνῳπολλῷπροσέχοντας” (1 Timothy 3:8), and “ὴοἴνῳπολλῷδεδουλωμένας” (Titus 2:3) are generally considered to be equivalent in meaning. Thus, the idea is that wine is to be used in moderation among believers. 1 Timothy 3:8 — “not greedy of filthy lucre” – Word Study on “greedy of filthy lucre” - Strong says the Greek word “given to filthy lucre” (αἰσχροκερδής) (G146) means, “given to (greedy of) filthy lucre.” BDAG says it means, “fond of dishonest gain.” Vine says it means, “greedy of base gain,” and is a compound word from αἰσχρός (base, shameful) and κέρδος (gain). Zodhiates says it means, “a person who is eager to gain even if such gain degrades his moral character.” This means the person is fond of dishonest gain, or focused upon money. This Greek word is used 2 times in the New Testament (1 Timothy 3:8, Titus 1:7) and an additional time in the Textus Receptus (1 Timothy 3:3). Comments – The idea of wine bibbing and fighting and greedy of worldly gain go together in the sense that people who drink too much often lose their temper while drunk and desire worldly entertainment. Thus, these three qualifications are placed together in the list. A person given to drink is often characterized as temperamental, and one who pursues worldly pleasures. 1 Timothy 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 1 Timothy 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 1 Timothy 3:10 — Illustration - The apostles were very careful when they chose seven men for deacons in Acts 6:3, “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.” 1 Timothy 3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 1 Timothy 3:11 — Comments - The KJV, NIV and others translate the Greek word γυνή as “wives.” However, the RSV, NASB, BDAG use the broader term “women.” The translation “women” means that women can clearly become deacons in the church, so that this passage is not simply dealing with the wives of deacons. Romans 16:1, “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:” The word “servant” in Romans 16:1 is the same Greek word διάκονον that is translated as “deacon” in this passage in 1 Timothy. 1 Timothy 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 1 Timothy 3:13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 3:14-4

The Training of the Leaders: A Sincere Faith – The next stage in setting a church in order is to train those who have been called out as bishops and deacons. Paul first establishes the purpose and function of the Church on earth by saying that it is “the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15), placed upon this earth to reveal the “mystery of the Gospel of Jesus Christ” (1 Timothy 3:16). Thus, 1 Timothy 3:14-16 establishes our faith. However, there are those who will depart from this foundation of faith in Christ because of seducing spirits that deceive men with doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1-5). Therefore, Timothy is to teach sound doctrine by “reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:6-16). It is in the continuation of teaching sound doctrine that a sincere faith is developed among the leadership as well as laity. Outline – Here is a proposed outline:

1. Defining the Role of the Church — 1 Timothy 3:14-162. Warnings of Apostasy — 1 Timothy 4:1-53. Exhortation to Teach Sound Doctrine — 1 Timothy 4:6-16