Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 32

Paul Details to Timothy the Qualifications of Leaders in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ Part 9

1 Timothy 3:14-15 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.  KJV

The Apostle Paul concludes his discourse to Brother Timothy concerning the qualifications for the candidates of the offices of Bishop and Deacon and now encourages him with and by his confidence in him and his desire to come back to him soon (according to the will of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ) with these words, "These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:" (1 Timothy 3:14) (KJV). The Apostle Paul's seperation from Timothy at this time was perhaps due to his first imprisonment in Rome as documented for us by Dr. Luke in Acts 28:17-31, however some Commentators suppose that it was after Paul's visit and departure from Ephesus (Acts 19:1-20:38) when he had resolved to winter at Corinth after passing the summer in Macedonia (1 Corinthians16:6), however, it matters not what the circumstances for their seperation at this time, but what only matters here is that Paul wanted to instruct a very young man Timothy on how he should lead the new and older believers in Christ Jesus our Lord and as we will see Paul write to him in the very next chapter, Paul wanted Timothy to not ever allow any believers (especially the older ones) to surpress, stamp down, or surplant his authority given to him by Paul directly from our Lord Jesus Christ according to the gift given him (1 Timothy 4:12).

When Paul writes here, 'hoping to come unto thee shortly', we see that his hope was not that of wishing, wanting, or wondering, but the English word 'hoping' used here is translated by the Greek word elpizō meaning (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence: to expect or confide, likwise the English word 'shortly' used here is translated by the Greek word tachion meaning (as adverb); more swiftly, that is, (in manner) more rapidly, or (in time) more speedily: - quickly. In other words, Paul's hope was confident expectation in the One True God to bulldoze a path for him from his present bad situation into the presence of his Brother in Christ Timothy so that they together could govern, guard, and guide the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ into His Glory. Even though the enemy can frustrate our plans (1 Thessalonians 2:18) in doing what we desire to do for our Lord Jesus Christ, he can never ever destroy or defeat the plans of God for His Children (Jeremiah 29:11). Now Paul despite his confident expectation to see Timothy again face to face and the other believers in  order to instruct him and them personally, he did not forget about all the times in the past that our Lord Jesus Christ allowed the enemy to hinder him, so now he writes these words just in case his hope/confidence this time is not realized right away or at all, "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:15) (KJV).

The little English phrase 'I tarry long' is translated by the Greek word bradunō which in this case means just what it appears to mean and that is to delay: - be slack, tarry. The little English phrase 'thou mayest know' is translated by the Greek word eido a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses meaning simply to see or to be aware or to perceive or to be sure or to understand. The little English phrase 'thou oughtest' is translated by the Greek word dei meaning it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding): - behoved, be meet, must (needs), (be) need (-ful), ought, should. The little English phrase 'to behave thyself' is translated by the Greek word to overturn; also to return; by implication to busy oneself, that is, remain, live: - abide, behave self, have conversation, live, overthrow, pass, return, be used. In other words, this is all written because Paul wants Brother Timothy to be aware and to be sure and to understand how he and the other believers in Christ should and need to conduct or behave themselves as believers in the Church of God if he (Paul) is delayed longer in coming to them personally or if he never returns to them in the flesh again.

When Paul writes here, 'the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth', he is describing and declaring to Timothy the character, class, and community that is the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. The little English phrase 'the Church' is translated by the Greek word ekklēsia meaning a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both): - assembly, Church. The little English phrase 'the pillar' is translated by the Greek word stulos meaning to stiffen; a post (“style”), that is, (figuratively) support: - pillar. The English word 'ground' is translated by the Greek word hedraiōma used this one time only in the entire New Testament meaning  a support, that is, (figuratively) basis: - ground.

In other words, the called out redeemed, reborn, and regenerated believers in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, that is, the Church are the support like steel or concrete columns and beams support the buildings they make up, so is it with the Church the support for the truth of the One True God based soley on what is declared by Him through Jesus Christ (the Word become Flesh) (John 1:1 & John 1:14) and the written Word of God the Bible containing sixty six books. Here is what Vincent's Word Studies declares concerning 'the Church', "The idea is that the Church is the pillar, and, as such, the prop or support of the truth. It is quite beside the mark to press the architectural metaphor into detail. By giving to ἑδραίωμα the sense of stay or prop, the use of the two words for the same general idea is readily explained. The Church is the pillar of the truth, and the function of the pillar is to support."

"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." F. B. Meyer

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…