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| Chapter 3 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ This is a true saying: If a man desire the office of bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt at teaching; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for filthy lucre, but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 one who ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all dignity 5 (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?). 6 He must not be a novice in the faith, lest being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good reputation with those who are outsiders, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8 ¶ Likewise must the deacons be serious, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for filthy lucre, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then, being found blameless, let them use the office of a deacon. 11 So also must their wives be serious, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let each deacon be the husband of one wife, ruling his children and his own house well. 13 For those who have used the office of deacon well purchase for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus. 14 ¶ These things I write unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly, 15 but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou ought to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And beyond controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. |
Leadership Paul now describes position of the bishop,the deacon and the church they will be leading in this chapter. According to the New Testament the titles "bishop," "pastor," and "elder" are basically the same title and position, they were responsible for the leadership and controlling the work of the church. 1 Peter 5:1-3; Acts 20:17,28; Titus 1:5-8. If you compare the requirements given for a bishop in this chapter and those given for an elder in Titus 1:5-8 it can be seen to be the same office and position. Paul now lists sixteen requirements for a man to take up this office. v2 Blameless The person must not have a life that Satan or an unbeliever can use to attack the person or church. The husband of one wife Paul seems to assume that it will be a man who fulfils the conditions. The relationship between a husband and wife are very important, "one wife" indicates that he cannot be divorced and remarried. Multiple wives would be out as the church would not have accepted anyone who was in a polygamy marriage (more than one wife). Neither does it indicated that a pastor who had remarried following the death of his wife would not be allowed. v4 A man must be able to control his marriage and family before leading a church. v2 Vigilant. On your guard, alert, on the watch for danger, sensible judgement in all things. v2 Sober. Does not mean having no sense of humour, but he does not use foolish behaviour in the ministry. v2 Of good behavior. The Greek word is translated Orderly or Modest. Suggesting his life is organized and also this is in his thinking, teaching and preaching. v2 Given to hospitality. In the early church travelling believers would need accommodation, Heb 13:2; 3 John 5-8. This is still required today. v2 Apt at teaching. A pastor must be careful and enjoy studying the Word of God. v3 Not given to wine. The water was usually unsafe to drink at the time, so often a watered down wine was used instead. Note 1 Tim 5:23. Unfortunately believers in 1 Cor 11:20-23 were getting drunk even during the Lord's Supper. A pastor must not hurt God or other believers by mis use of wine. v3 Not violent. Not looking for a fight. v3 Not greedy for filthy lucre. A ministry can be used to make considerable money, this can harm the spread of the message. 1 Peter 5:2. v3 Patient The pastor must be a willing listener and be able to take disagreements and criticism if necessary. v3 Not a brawler. Live in peace, not making trouble as long as it does not affect their belief. v3 Not covetous. Not desiring money, popularity, fame, position etc. because of the ministry. v4,5 Family control. This condition does not indicate that all pastors must be married with children, however, if he cannot control and run his family successful, with love, truth and respect, he will not be able to run a church family successfully. 1 Peter 5:3 v6 A Novice. Meaning a new Christian, not referring to the age or maturity of the person. v7 Good reputation with outsiders. The outside respects him, because he pays bills, has acceptable behaviour to non believers. Satan loves to destroy a pastor's work because of the pastors behaviour. v8-13 The Deacon The Greek word diakonos translated deacon simply means servant. Acts 6 records the first deacons created, their task was to assist the apostles in administration so that the apostles could concentrate on the spiritual ministry. Paul now provides a list of qualifications for the position of deacon, not so severe as for a pastor but important. v8 Grave, serious. Respected, taking the office and responsibility seriously. v8 Not double tongued. Not a gossip, able to rely on what is said, does not lie. v8 Not given to much wine. See v3 comments on the pastor. v8 Not greedy for filthy lucre. The deacons are often dealing with the administration of the church money, they must not use the money for their own needs or use the money in a selfish manner. v9 Doctrine. Understanding the truth of the Gospel once hidden (mystery), must be of good faith based upon the Word of God. v10 Passed a Test. This verse suggests that the church fellowship had monitored (watched) the life of a person before appointment to a deacon. v11,12 Family. As with the pastor the family is part of the post, faith and behaviour in the home show their ability to become a deacon. Again a person who has been divorced and remarried are rejected. There is nothing to stop a woman becoming a deaconess, Rom 16:1 shows that Phoebe was a deaconesses. v13 Use the office. A faithful deacon will be rewarded by Jesus. It is possible for deacons to become elders as they grow spiritually. v14-16 The church membership. The "house of God" is a family and needs to have the right food, discipline and order to survive. The Word of God must be at the center of the 'family', it must be built upon "the pillar and ground of the truth.." We must be the witnesses to person and work of the Saviour of the world, Jesus Christ. Who came into the world as God-Man and now we preach to the world. |
Easy English Translation
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