The First Epistle to Timothy Chapter 3

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The First Epistle to Timothy Chapter 3

Text from https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1TI.3.NIV

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

1 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. (One should be prepared, equipped, committed, and selected to be a leader. Not everyone is a leader.)

2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. (Leaders should be above of average, or preferable a few elites among the crowd. Leaders must not pursue personal glory or gain but should work for the Kingdom of God with his/her gift of leadership.)

4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.

5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) (Leadership begins from small circle of life and goes to the public. There is a oriental saying. Take care of yourself, family, nation, and the world as in the order of stated. "수신제가치국평천하-修身齊家治國平天下" Mt. 25:21, You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.)

6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. (Maturation, or sanctification of faith takes time and trials.)

7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. (Leaders should be reputable even to those unbelievers.)

8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. (The same qualifications of the elders should be equally applied to the deacons. Difference between the titles is not of characteristic but functional.)

9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. (They must be familiarized with truth consciously; Knowledgeability)

10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. (They must be trained and tested.)

11 In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. (The female leaders should be equipped with the same qualification of male leaders.)

12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. (Again, the family is the most basic unit of the church, and the Kingdom of God.)

13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. (Leadership is the desirable and honorable serving position. Even every believer, regardless of ones ability and talent, should admire and target to reach up to the level of the leadership.)

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (Paul trained and taught Timothy, and Timothy must continue the legacy in the Kingdom ministry.)

The Glory of Jesus, Glory of Servant

16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: (Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion, NASB) (We are pursuing the mystery of our Lord Jesus Christ in our services.)

He appeared in the flesh, (who was present in the world as a flesh.)

was vindicated by the Spirit, (proved by the Spirit.)

was seen by angels, (visible in the cosmos and universe; the Kingdom of God.)

was preached among the nations, (known to the nations.)

was believed on in the world, (believed by the world.)

was taken up in glory. (perfect glory in the Kingdom of God.)

Our service is limited in space, momentary in time, but it's in the Eternity of God.