Lessons

Timothy Study – Part 6. The lesson on February 18th, 2007 covers another important aspect of management in the church with the appointment of Bishops. Chapter one covered sound doctrine. Chapter two covered prayer and the role of women in the church. Chapter three covers the role of being a bishop in the church. Paul thought it important to cover the qualifications of the bishop. Paul writes this pastoral epistle to help Timothy straighten out the problems he is facing the the church in Ephesus. The problems Timothy was facing is the same problems the church is facing today. The church was growing and more and more demands were being put on the church by the additional members. We learn that Bishop is an office and that an Elder is a man. As it states in Titus 1:5-9 “… and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” The office of a Bishop is an honorable job within the church and one to be desired. They do an important job of taking care of the souls of these Christians. A bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife. He is to be vigilant which means one that is not given to drinking alcohol (in excess). It really means to be watchful and not a winebibber. A bishop is someone who is sober minded and expresses good behavior. He also is open to strangers and given to hospitality. He is capable of instructing others in the Word of God. A Bishop is not a striker meaning one not given to violence. He has patience and not contentious nor a lover of money (gainsayers). A good Bishop morally, financially, and thoughtfully rules his own house. Why is Paul telling Timothy this? As Paul said in 1 Timothy 3:15 “… that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” The lesson ends by looking at the last part of verse 7 which talks about “the snare of the devil”. The devil is always waiting for everyone and no one is immune from the wiles of the devil. We all have our nature but we are taught to rise above.