1 Timothy 3:11 The Women

1 Timothy 3:11 In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

Who are these women? Are they the deacons wives? Given that not all deacons would necessarily be married it may be that what Paul is thinking about a group of women in the church who carried out various diaconal roles. Every church has them. Because the Bible uses the word women to describe them they have never gained the more distinctive recognition that deacons and elders have in most churches. Paul requires four things of these women - that they be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. In brief compass he covers the bases, referring to their standing, their use of the tongue, their self control and their trustworthiness. Such characteristics are vital in women who serve the churches. These women will often be wives of the deacons but will often include single women. Whether a church wants to formalise this and call them deaconesses or lady workers is a matter for debate. The important thing is that women who play an important role in the life of the church are of the calibre prescribed here.

1 Timothy 3:10 Tested first

1 Timothy 3:10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

As far as being clear is concerned 1 Timothy 3:10 is pretty straightforward. Paul is talking about deacons, those who serve the church in a practical way, and he is describing what sort of men are needed. He then says that first they need to be tested or proved and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. The difficulty is not with understanding the idea but with how it is to be carried out. For example, are they to be appointed as deacons and then asked to step down if they prove to be not up to it? Or should there be a distinct category of probationary or junior deacons? Or is the testing best done without any official mention of it? Possibly, Paul simply means that it should first be weighed up whether they are indeed worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. Perhaps, the idea of giving them jobs to do before making them deacons is the most likely answer. Men are to be involved in practical matters on a more ad hoc basis and if they prove able then they should at some later point be made deacons. The idea sometimes mooted of making a man a deacon with the hope of it improving him is not a biblical idea at all. That is to put the cart before the horse.

1 Timothy 3:8, 9, 12 Deacons Qualifications

1 Timothy 3:8, 9, 12 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.  They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. .... A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.

The seven main qualifications for a deacon (the Greek word simply means servant) are found in these verses. The In the same way at the beginning points to the fact that these qualifications are very similar to those for the elders. Both lists contain similar items - worthy of respect (respectable), not indulging in much wine (not given to drunkenness) and not pursuing dishonest gain (not a lover of money). Sincere appears and keeping hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience but not above reproach, temperate, self-controlled, hospitable, able to teach. Faithful to his wife and managing his children comes in verse 12. The deacon then has to be a mature believer but he may not have a gift to teach. His home life is again an important test of his ability in church life. Irreproachability and hospitableness are desirable but not of the essence of the work. We get a clear idea then of a New Testament deacon. One almost in every way like an elder but with a less public persona. If a church has faithful deacons getting on with the practical matters that always need to be thought of and so freeing the elders to do their real work then all the members will be greatly blessed indeed.

1 Timothy 3:13 Good service

1 Timothy 3:13  Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

In 1 Timothy 3:8-13 Paul talks about deacons and the required qualifications. At the conclusion of these he adds (verse 13) that Those who have served well gain two things - an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. There are two obvious advantages in serving as a deacon then, and by extension serving the church in any capacity. First, there is the excellent standing it gives. The idea seems to be that of a firm place to stand. Secondly, there is great assurance, boldness or confidence. As we serve the Lord we grow in assurance then  - more firm, more confident. This is not the chief aim of appointing someone as a deacon or in some other capacity of service but as we do the work so assurance will increase. Assurance, of course, has many sources but getting on with doing the work in hand for God's glory is an unspectacular but important source not to be overlooked. This assurance will not come merely from having a title - deacon or minister or whatever. It will only come if a person does the work.

1 Timothy 3:16 Godliness Mystery

1 Timothy 3:16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, 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.

There is something about the combination 3:16 in the New Testament. There are a number of texts worth learning with that address. 1 Timothy 3:16 refers to Christ and says Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, 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. Some take it to be chronological - incarnation, miracles and resurrection, ascension, preaching of the gospel from Pentecost on, worldwide acceptance, Second Coming (in terms of his ascension). Several others deal with the six by splitting them into two sets of three. The first three refer to the life of the historical incarnate Jesus (appeared in a body; vindicated by the Spirit; seen by angels) the second three to his life once exalted (preached among the nations; believed on in the world; taken up in glory). Perhaps the best way to take them is to take them spacially and see them as being a series of three sets of contrasting pairs: Body/the Spirit Angels/nations The world/glory. Further, Hendriksen points out that the development is chiastic and cumulative. We move from the lower realm (He appeared in a body to the higher (was vindicated by the Spirit), from the higher was seen by angels to the lower was preached among the nations, from the lower was believed on in the world back up to was taken up in glory. Even where the lower element is involved there is throughout the six lines much glorifying of Christ. He appeared in a body yes, but that itself suggests a veiling of his glory; was preached among the nations – heralded, declared with gladness; believed on in the world with joy unto salvation. These are fundamental truths that must often be preached.

1 Timothy 3:14, 15 Pillar, foundation

1 Timothy 3:14, 15 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that 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.

Chapter 3 of 1 Timothy is taken up with instructions regarding appointing elders, deacons and the women to work in the churches. Towards the end of the chapter, in verses 14 and 15, Paul says Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that 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. There is more that could be said about elders and deacons and such matters but there is enough here to show us how people ought to conduct themselves in the churches. Paul uses three or four terms to refer to a church. He begins with God's household. One way to think of a church is as a family or household over which God himself rules. That is why he says (4, 5) that an elder must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him and asks If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church? The church or assembly of the Living God again stresses God's headship and leadership even when the church is called an assembly. He is no figurehead either for he is the living God. The final expressions are perhaps the most interesting. A church is the pillar and foundation of the truth. These two pictures vividly speak of the church as the upholder and supporter of the truth, using architectural terms. This is part of the reason why the church has such importance in God's economy and why its officers must be chosen with such great care and why these men and women must be marked by holiness and integrity. A right understanding of the church is fundamental for a pastor and all others who serve in it.