Something Greater

Sober-minded 1 Timothy 3:2 What has gone before... In Paul's "job description" for overseer, the first and last descriptors function as an introduction and summary: above reproach and well thought of . Paul requires Christians to consider whether they are above reproach concerning marriage . Biblically, marriage is a life-long, socially legal contract between one man and one woman. If this contract is broken, it must be only for the cause of sexual immorality. Divorce for any other reason is evidence of sin-hardened hearts. Until such a heart is submitted to Christ in repentance , such a one should not be considered for the office of overseer. Moving on... After faithfulness in marriage, Paul next urges us toward sober-mindedness . "An overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded.." 1 Timothy 3:2 (ESV) SOBER-MINDED: nephaleos "nay-FAL-eh-os" (sober or circumspect, wary and unwilling to take risks); from ne

Husband of One Wife 1 Timothy 3:2 What has gone before... Paul has written a " job description " for the office of overseer, beginning and ending with two similar descriptors that serve as general heading and summary: Above Reproach and Well Thought Of. "Above reproach" and "well thought of" are open to various definition, according to who is watching or judging. Paul lists twelve specific attitudes, behaviors or conditions which help define these two character qualities. Moving on... "An overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed

1 Timothy 3: Bishops, Overseers and Health Inspectors 1 Timothy 3:1 What has gone before... Paul urged the church in Ephesus to pray for two essential things : peace and quiet. Building on this theme, he focused on women and their need to learn godliness, which includes the skill of submissiveness, not only for the women but also for men and children. Biblical submissiveness is best defined as willing, joyful acceptance of God's sovereignty , protection and providence. A woman will live out their submissiveness to God by gladly allowing her husband to be the protector and provider of her family. The process of learning the skills of godliness includes experiences of pain or loss , and for the woman, childbearing often provides just such an experience. For men and women, learning is always an active demonstration of a skill or ability , and whether physically or spiritually. Moving on... "The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer,

Learning Godliness What has gone before... Paul asked the women in the Ephesian church to examine how their dress and adornment should genuinely reflect what is in their hearts . The word for "adorn" means to put in proper order , implying all that is deeply essential. "Modesty" means bashfulness toward men, or awe towards God, closely related to respect or reverence. "Self-control" means soundness of mind, or sanity. A woman who dresses simply, modestly and inexpensively, must depend upon personality in order to impress or attract others . Without skin-revealing dress or expensive decoration, a woman must express strength and goodness by her words and actions. Paul is not forbidding braided hair , gold, pearls or expensive dress. Rather, he's emphasizing the need to allow God's Holy Spirit to develop within us the inner qualities of respect, modesty and self-control, expressed by good works. We cannot rely upon outer appearances to ma

Truly Beautiful and Deeply Good What has gone before... Paul has urged the leaders, the men, to cease their angry, devisive control of the church in Ephesus. Using prayer as a model for holy leadership, he exhorts the men to pray with the right motives, with godly desires. Moving on... Paul's focus of concern for the men is how their prayers might be hindered by their angry, quarrelsome hearts . For women, Paul asks that they examine how their choices in dress and adornment should genuinely reflect what is in their hearts. "Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works." 1 Timothy 2:9-10 (ESV) Paul's exhortation to women begins with "likewise", meaning that his words to both men and women share something in common. The central truth of both admonitions is fo

Unholy Prayer What has gone before... Paul asserts his appointment by God, emphasizing that God did the placing, realizing that his life would be lain down for sacrificial service . He affirmed his honesty and sincerity, knowing that his reputation for violence and rigid religion still dogged his steps. Although still very much Jewish in pracice, Paul felt himself more and more drawn to ministry to the Gentiles, knowing that God had chosen for His own, people from every race, every ethnicity, every language. Moving on... Paul now returns to the theme with which he began this chapter: "I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling." 1 Timothy 2:8 (ESV) What led Paul to emphasize prayer without anger or quarreling? Paul's initial motivation for prayer was that "we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." (1 Timothy 2:2) Immediately following this exhortation Pa