INTRODUCTION
This Epistle was written not long after Paul had left Ephesus for Macedonia; but it is a matter of debate as to when this was, some holding that it must have been about the time of the great riot which drove the Apostle from the city; others that it was nearer the time of his second and last imprisonment at Rome.
Timothy is first mentioned as living at Lystra, Act_16:1. His mother, Eunice, was a Jewess, 2Ti_1:5; his father was a Greek. He was early the subject of pious influence, 2Ti_3:14-15. He was well spoken of by his fellow-believers, and became the intimate friend and companion of the Apostle.
The Epistle was designed to instruct him how to deal with false teachers, how to conduct public worship, and to urge him to cultivate all those qualities which would better equip him for the discharge of his important duties.
OUTLINE OF THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY
The Church and Its Ministry
THE CHARGE CONCERNING THE CHURCH
The Appointment of Bishops
The Place of Women in the Church
4. What are the qualifications of a bishop?
QUALIFICATIONS FOR OVERSEERS
This is a faithful and trustworthy saying: if any man [eagerly] seeks the office of overseer (bishop, superintendent), he desires an excellent task.\
Now an overseer must be blameless and beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
not addicted to wine, not a bully nor quick-tempered and hot-headed, but gentle and considerate, free from the love of money [not greedy for wealth and its inherent power–financially ethical].
He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity [keeping them respectful and well-behaved]
(for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?).
and He must not be a new convert, so that he will not [behave stupidly and] become conceited [by appointment to this high office] and fall into the [same] condemnation incurred by the devil [for his arrogance and pride]. [Isa_14:12-14]
And he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside the church, so that he will not be discredited and fall into the devil’s trap.
Comments by
F.B.Meyer
on
1 Timothy 3:1-7
FITNESS FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
One of Timothy’s most urgent duties was to take care that those who held office in the churches were beyond reproach. The tone of a Christian community is largely that of its leaders. As the margin suggests, the bishop of the early Church was an overseer or presbyter. See Act_20:28, R.V. God’s minister must not only be irreproachable as far as the outside world is concerned, but exemplary in his domestic relations. Such was the facility of divorce among the Jews that it was a common thing for a man to have more than one woman living who had been his wife: but by Paul’s ruling this would debar him from holding office, unless his divorce be for cause as provided in Mat_19:9.
Notice how often those words grave, sober-minded, temperate occur in this chapter. The effect of a good sermon will be spoiled if a man yields to foolish levity or intemperate habits. Moderation, serenity of temper, freedom from love of money, a well-ordered household, an obedient and reverent family-these are signs that a man may aspire to the sacred work of the ministry; and these are the qualities which people should look for in candidates for pulpits, more than those of rhetoric, brilliance, or outward attractiveness.
A Sermon by:-
Pastor Jeff Arthur.
Women Preachers?
The Office of Bishop
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