God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth

 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 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. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.

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

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. Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit.

It was Paul's practice to appoint several elders to take charge of each church. 'Overseeing' what went on was one of the functions of the elders' role. These, in turn, were assisted by 'helpers'

Paul's list of qualifications for these leaders makes sound sense. They must be men who can control themselves and their families, who have proved to be stable Christians, and who have the respect of the outside world. Timothy was not a naturally forceful character. To have Paul's written authority was the next best thing to having the apostle with him.

Why?

The overseers and deacons conditions, it is the rule to all Christians either.

The church is the house of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

To be an overseer and deacons should have a good reputation inside the church and outside.

Women to be worthy of respect, do not malicious talkers but temperate. It is easy to cause may distress and turbulence in the church.

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1.做監督和執事的條件：監督是教會或團體的負責人，總決策的角色，執事比較著重在執行的角色。聖經如果沒有提到細節組織，就是不是很重要，所提到的多是原則性及生命的見證。這些標準提及的多是道德層面，與一般基督徒要求一樣的，一般人也是如此要求的準則。有生命的見證就可以做這職份。然而這也是每個基督徒該有的生命表現。

善於教導與恩賜有關。初入教會的人不適任，因為生命不成熟，恐怕他自高自大。教會付予職份是要服務人，把人帶到基督面前。管理的地方是神的家。我們跟隨的不是任何人，而是耶穌基督。

2.教會要成為真理的堡壘、根基，為真理爭辯的地方，抵擋異端，抵擋世俗的地方。我們負責的是把人帶到基督面前。

2.

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How?

The church is God's symbol, to be a good God's household.