1 Timothy 3 Studies

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each chapter is divided into a number of studies and each study or passage has a simple four-Part, verse-by-verse approach, to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: 1 Tim 3:1-7

1 Here is a trustworthy saying: whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

A. Find Out:      

1. On whom does Paul now focus? v.1
2. How many leaders’ qualities are listed? v.2,3
3. What family requirement is there? v.4
4. Why is there this requirement? v.5
5. Why should he not be a new convert? v.6
6. What further requirement is there? v.7

B. Think:

1. How would you summarise the personal requirements for a man to be an overseer?
2. How does proven experience appear as a requirement for an overseer?
3. How is immaturity covered by Paul as a bar to being an overseer?

C. Comment:

     Continuing his instructions to Timothy on the life of the church, Paul now gives Timothy guidance as to who may or may not be a church leader. Overseer, or elder, is the term used in the New Testament for such spiritual leaders in the local church, and they were normally appointed by apostles and there was normally more than one in each church (see Titus 1:5-9 & Acts 20:17,28)

      Paul gives specific personal quality requirements of a godly mature man who is clearly holy, with a good experience in his family life. The call of the elder is to look after the flock (see above) and if he is unable to look after his own family then he surely won’t be able to look after the church either. There must be maturity to stave off possible pride which leads to temptation and possible destruction. His reputation must be good, else he will fall to the tricks of the enemy. There is no requirement that he be educationally trained, but more that he be a proven man of God with a strong relationship with the Lord. How we have strayed from these requirements in today’s church!

D. Application:

1. Leaders are prone to enemy attack and need our constant prayers.
2. Leaders are to care for the flock and are answerable to God for it. (See 1 Peter 5:1-4)

Passage: 1 Tim 3:8-13

8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

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

12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

A. Find Out:

1. Summarise the qualities required of deacons. v.8
2. What must they censure? v.9
3. What must happen before they are appointed? v.10
4. What are the requirements for their wives? v.11
5. What is the requirement about their household? v.12
6. What does a deacon do? v.13

B. Think:

1. Read Acts 6:1-6 This appears to be the first appointing of deacons. What were they to do?
2. How is the appointing of deacons seen to not be a casual thing?
3. Why do you think a high degree of spirituality is a requirement for a deacon?

C. Comment:

     From the requirements for elders Paul now moves on to the requirements for the deacons. Although little guidance is given in Scripture as to their activity, deacons are usually considered to be those who look after the material well-being of the flock. Unlike many deacons today they do not have spiritual oversight and do not bring spiritual direction to the church; this is the role of the overseers (elders). Deacons serve by helping the church and people with their material needs.

     But note also, that both here and in Acts 6, those becoming deacons are to have a high level of spirituality: fully faithful to God, mature in the faith, filled with the Spirit and exercising wisdom. Although they are helping on a material plane it will need all the resources of the spiritual dimension. Like overseers, the lives of the deacons are to be blameless and they must show they are capable of leading their own families properly. The number of deacons is not specified in Scripture and it is probably wise only to appoint as specific need and specific ability is made clear, as in Acts 6.

D. Application:

1. A deacon is first and foremost a servant of the flock.
2. A deacon needs to be a man of God.

Passage: 1 Tim 3:14-16

14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing to you with these instructions so that, 15 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. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,
    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.

A. Find Out:

1. What was Paul’s hope? v.14
2. What was he providing against? v.15a
3. So why was he writing? v.15b
4. How does he describe the church? v.15c
5. What does verse 16 describe? v.16a
6. What 6 things are said of Jesus? v.16b

B. Think:

1. Considering Paul’s intentions here, what matters has he already covered in the life of the church?
2. What does this passage tell us about our future plans & intentions?
3. What does v.16 tell us about the life of the early church?

C. Comment:

     Paul now makes plain his reason for writing as he has done: he hopes to come to Timothy soon but there is always a possibility of delay, and so a letter of help and encouragement is forthcoming. As much as we may plan our futures, we need reminding that circumstances are often out of our control and delays and other things may occur. This letter therefore, is Paul’s means of ensuring that if such delays occur, the work will not be hindered.

    Note that the church is described as God’s household, or God’s family; it is God’s church, and as such it is the upholder and supporter of truth in the world. The church is clearly people not buildings, and as such they convey and are the expression of truth.

     Finally note in verse 16 another of these sayings of the early church that were like a catechism that stated specific truths of the Gospel in short bits, easily remembered. We see them in 1:15 , 3:1, 4:9 and in 2 Timothy 2:11-13 and Titus 3:5-8. The church clearly formulated and taught these to ensure that truth was accurately passed on.

D. Application:

1. We, as people of God, are conveyors of truth by word and deed.
2. We need to ensure we learn, understand and convey the truth accurately to the next generation.