Paul the apostle had a
desire to visit Timothy as he wrote instructions for the church in
Ephesus. Paul had written concerning prayer, women, bishops and
deacons in the church and gave instructions in each of those areas.
In chapter three and verse fifteen of his letter, Paul notes that he
might “tarry long”, and he reiterates his reason for
writing to Timothy where we read:
But if I tarry long,
that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of
God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of
the truth.
The
verse begins, “But if I tarry long, that you may know how
you ought to behave yourself in the house of God,...”
Paul once again employs the word, “But”
which is the disassociation conjunction that means what is about to
be stated has preeminence over what was previously written, and he
adds, “if I tarry long”
or “be delayed or slowed” “that you may know”
which means “perceive, notice, discern, discover and understand”
“how” or “in
what way” “you ought”
which means “necessary, there is need of, it behooves, is right and
proper” “to behave”
which literally means “to turn upside down and overturn” and
refers to the way a person is “to conduct one's self, behave one's
self and live”. However, the way Timothy behave is in particular
“in the house of God”
or “building and dwelling place of the Godhead and trinity which is
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit”. Although Paul
desired to see Timothy, since he was in a Roman prison that may or
may not be possible, and therefore this letter was written to Timothy
so he would know how to conduct himself among the church in Ephesus.
The
verse continues, “...which is the church of the living
God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
Paul went on to add, “which is the church”
or “gathering and assembling of citizens called out from their
homes into some public place” “of the living God” or
“live, vital and full of vigor God the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit”. Paul continued, “the pillar”
or “column, prop and support” “and ground”
which means “make stable and settle firmly” “of the
truth” or “what is true in
things appertaining to God and the duties of man, moral and religious
truth”. Paul knew it was in the church where the “truth”
was to be shared, and the “truth”
is the prop, support and firm foundation through which all things
pertaining to God was to be discovered.
While
we think on Paul's words, we note the value and concern Paul had for
the church where Timothy was to minister. The “pillar and
ground of the truth” was to be
shared there, and the conduct for those within the church must align
with the truth proclaimed. Paul knew he might personally “tarry
long” and be delayed in seeing
Timothy, so he wrote this letter to him that he might have good
instructions in his absence. As we meditate upon these things, let us
ask ourselves, how much do we value our church where the truth is
proclaimed? Would we be willing to give instructions to those who are
within it so the truth could be declared? Perhaps we should end this
time in prayer to the Lord Jesus and God the Father for our churches,
and may He bring the blessing of His truth to everyone for whom we
pray.
Next
time Paul shares “the mystery of
godliness”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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