Lessons

Timothy Study – Part 7. Continuing in the Timothy series, the lesson on February 25, 2007 covers 1 Timothy 3:8-16 which details the qualifications for the leaders in the church. Timothy is the head of the church in Ephesus which is where Paul encountered a lot of problems. If we look at Acts 20:17 we see that Paul had to call the elders to a meeting outside the city because such a ruckus was caused by individuals like Alexander the coppersmith (1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 4:14). Paul told them to watch over the church and to look out for those that would cause problems from outside trying to come in and also those from within the church (Acts 20:28-31). It seems that problems from within the church is not new. Jude gave warnings about these types in Jude 1:11-13 which tells of 3 religious people (Cain, Balaam, and Core) that had become a source of woe! Paul then continues his clarification of the qualifications of the leaders in the church and this week we cover the office of a Deacon. The word Deacon is made up of two words: “Dea” means “through” and “Con” means “servant” which is the role of the deacon which is to be of service. There is an example of this in Acts 6:1-4 where the Bishops were desiring to be dedicated to prayer and the reading of the word. Acts 6:3-4 “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” The deacons were appointed to take care of the daily administration of the widows. We see also in 1 Tim 3:10 that the people chosen for this office must first be proven to be of good service before they become a deacon. The lesson continues with other criteria found in 1 Tim 3:8 (KJV) “Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;”. We also find the mention of the Mystery listed in verse 9. The Mystery is mentioned 6 times in Ephesians, 4 times in Colossians, 2 times in 1 Timothy for a total of 12 times. The lesson ends with commentary on verses 15 and 16 (the lesson referenced The Meaning of 1 Tim 3:16 an article by C.H. Welch from the Alphabetical Analysis on these verses.)