Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)
Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
1 TIMOTHY 3
Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons
1 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 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. 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?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
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. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:
He appeared in the flesh,
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
Application Notes
3:1-13 All believers, even if they never plan to be church leaders, should strive to follow these guidelines because they are consistent with what God says is true and right. For example, some people are effectively "able to teach" who never teach or lead formally at church. Their lessons are passed on to one or two others. They become mentors of spiritual truth. Paul described this intimate kind of teaching in 2 Timothy 2:2: "The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." If you have been able to communicate your faith clearly to another person, you have demonstrated teaching at its best. In measuring your ability to teach, don't consider how many students you have had; instead, ask how much truth you have passed on to even one person whom God has brought your way.
3:1 To be a church leader("overseer") is a heavy responsibility because the church belongs to the living God. The term used in this verse, and sometimes translated as elder can refer to a pastor, elder, bishop, or presiding overseer. Interestingly, elder and pastor are synonymous, not names for separate offices. Today, elder often has a different meaning, describing someone more like a member of a board of advisers. God has high standards for pastors and other leaders in the church. Paul enumerates some of the qualifications here. Church leaders should not be elected because they are popular, nor should they be allowed to push their way to the top. Instead, they should be chosen by the church because of their respect for the truth, both in what they believe and in how they live. If you hold a position of spiritual leadership or have heard God's call to be a leader someday, check yourself against Paul's standard of excellence. Those with great responsibility must meet high expectations.
3:2 Paul's statement that each overseer should be faithful to his wife prohibits both polygamy and promiscuity. This does not prohibit an unmarried person from becoming an elder or a widowed elder from remarrying.
3:4-5 Christian workers and volunteers sometimes make the mistake of being so involved in their work that they neglect their families, especially the firm discipline of their children. Spiritual leadership, however, must begin at home. People who will not care for, discipline, and teach their children disqualify themselves from leading in the church. Don't allow your volunteer or ministry activities to detract from your family responsibilities. The Bible teaches us to put God first in our lives, our families second. and the ministry God has given us next (see 5:8; see also Ephesians 5:22-31).
3:6 New believers should become secure and strong in the faith before taking leadership roles in the church. Too often, in a church desperate for workers, new believers are placed in positions of responsibility prematurely. New faith needs time to mature. New believers should have a place of service, but they should not be put into leadership positions until they are firmly grounded in their faith. making godly life choices and having solid knowledge of the Bible.
3:6 Newer believers who are selected for office need to be aware of the damaging effects of pride. Pride can seduce emotions and cloud reason. It can make those who are immature susceptible to the influence of unscrupulous people. Pride and conceit were the devil's downfall, and he uses pride to trap others (Proverbs 16:18).
3:7 People outside the church should speak well of those who are being considered for leadership in the church. Paul required pastors and elders to have earned a good reputation with outsiders. All Christians should be dependable friends and good neighbours, but especially those in church leadership. They are usually fairly conspicuous in their communities, and they must be role models for the rest of the body of Christ. How we carry out our duties as citizens, neighbours, and friends facilitates or frustrates our ability to communicate the gospel. Think about your friends who are not believers. In what ways does your conduct help or hinder the cause of Christ? As the church carries out its mission in an increasingly secular world, it needs people who will build bridges with unbelievers and bring them the gospel.
3:8-13 Deacon means "one who serves." This position was possibly begun by the apostles in the Jerusalem church to care for the physical needs of the congregation--at that time, it was the needs of the Greekspeaking widows (Acts 6:1-6). Deacons were leaders in the church, and their qualifications resemble those of overseers. In some churches today, the office of deacon has lost its importance. New Christians are often asked to serve in this position, but that is not the New Testament pattern. Paul says that potential deacons should have high qualifications and be very carefully chosen.
3:11 The Greek word used for ·the women· can mean either "women" or "wives." Interpreters debate three possible interpretations for its usage here: (1) the wives of deacons; (2) female deacons. such as Phoebe (Romans 16:1); or (3) women in some other form of leadership in the church. The context here places more probability on Paul referring to the wives of deacons.
In this passage, Paul clearly states that a wife should be respected for her partnership with her husband in church leadership. Marriage doesn't automatically require a spouse to be active in ministry, but husbands and wives should love and support one another in their ministry roles.
3:14-15 The Bible is the written form of what God expects us to know and do. God chose Paul to carry out one phase of his plan and inspired him to record these teachings. As such, God's Word was passed on to Timothy. Then it was passed on to others. Later, it was passed on to us. Times have changed, but the original authority remains. The Bible is from God and by God, and believers must study it seriously, understand it thoroughly, and apply it faithfully. Paul intended this letter to teach God's people how to conduct themselves. We would do well to read it carefully and then put it into practice.
3:16 In this short hymn, Paul affirms the humanity and divinity of Christ. By so doing he reveals the heart of the gospel, "the mystery from which true godliness springs" (the secret of how we become more like Christ). Each line is significant. "Appeared in the flesh" means Jesus walked on earth as a man; his incarnation provides the basis for our being made right with God. "Vindicated by the Spirit" refers to how Jesus' resurrection showed that the Holy Spirit's power was in him (Romans 8:11).
"Seen by angels" and "taken up in glory" show that Jesus is divine. We can't please God on our own; we must depend on Christ. As a man, Jesus lived a perfect life, and he provides a perfect example of how to live. As God, Jesus gives us the power to follow him closely and to turn away from sin, even when our own sinful nature tempts us otherwise. Following Christ enables us to live a peaceful, joy-filled, meaningful life.
Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)