14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:14–15 (ESV)
Having provided Timothy with specific instructions on prayer, worship, and church officers, the Apostle Paul then stated his reason for writing to the young pastor in the first place. It was to set forth the nature of the church and the mediatorial ministry of Jesus Christ.
The historical context indicates Paul was confident he would soon come to see his young protégé. In anticipation of this reunion, he reminded Timothy of this letter’s purpose.
First, Paul wanted Timothy to know how to conduct himself as a church’s pastor. In other words, the apostle wanted Timothy to be a leader and to know how to be a leader. Paul set forth the character and behavior of church leaders in I Timothy 1:1-3:13.
To behave (ἀναστρέφεσθαι; anastrephesthai) refers to how believers in Christ are to conduct themselves in life and living. The emphasis is on an overt daily behavior. See 2 Cor. 1:12; Eph. 2:3; 1Tim. 3:15; Heb. 10:33; 13:18; 1 Peter 1:17; 2 Peter 2:18.
Second, Paul wanted Timothy to also know the nature of the church he pastored, and the nature of churches all other men pastor.
This overt, daily behavior by believers in Christ is to be seen within the fallen world (Rom. 12:1-2). However, it most importantly is to be seen in the household of God. Household (οἴκῳ; oiko) in the context refers to family. This is the family of God.
The text speaks of this household as the church of the living God. Church (ἐκκλησία; ekklesia) is the congregation, and not a building. The church is God’s called out ones. The church is God’s sole possession. Believers are to display godly, daily behavior among each other. This is to be the norm. Often times, it is not.
Paul also identified the church as the pillar (ζῶντος; stylos). A pillar is an upright shaft or structure used as a building support. “στῦλος is also used in speaking of the leaders of the Jerusalem church (Ga 2:9; see 36.7).
“In a number of languages pillars may be described as ‘those poles which support the house’ or ‘those logs which hold up the roof.’ Usually, however, there are rather specific terms to designate these important parts in the construction of houses or halls.” [1]
“στῦλος is also used in speaking of the leaders of the Jerusalem church (Gal. 2:9). In Ga 2:9 the focus is upon the important role of such persons in supporting and maintaining the church. In a number of languages such a figurative meaning may be expressed as ‘very important persons in the church.”’[2]
The church, and its leaders, are also metaphorically identified as a buttress (ἑδραίωμα; hedraioma). “It is that which provides the basis or foundation for belief or practice— ‘support, foundation, basis.’ στῦλος καὶ ἑδραίωμα τῆς ἀληθείας ‘pillar and support of the truth’ 1 Tm 3:15.” [3]
“The church, which met in homes, was modeled on the household, just as pagan political theorists compared the household to society in general (3:4–5). Paul’s prior admonitions to Timothy, especially in 3:1–13, thus serve a function analogous to the household codes of many ancient writers: providing a specific framework of wisdom for administrating the family unit and society. “Pillars” were used to uphold structures, and support for the truth was needed given its challenge by false teachers” (1:3–7).[4]
“Believers are God’s house or sanctuary (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16) because God dwells in them. Hence, Paul continues: which is the church of the living God (not the temple of dead idols! 1 Thess. 1:9, 10), the pillar and foundation of the truth. Having been called “God’s house,” we now note that the church is next compared to a pillar and foundation. As the pillar supports the roof, even better (note the climax!) as the foundation supports the entire super-structure, so the church supports the glorious truth of the gospel (2 Tim. 2:19; Matt. 16:18),” explains Dr. William Hendriksen
“It supports the truth by:
Hearing and Heeding it (Matt. 13:9)
Handling it rightly (2 Tim. 2:15)
Hiding it in the heart (Ps. 119:11), and
Holding it forth as the Word of Life (Phil. 2:16).
Or, if one prefers, by:
Digesting it (Rev. 10:9). That takes study and meditation.
Defending it (Phil. 1:16)
Disseminating it (Matt. 28:18–20)
Demonstrating its power in consecrated living (Col. 3:12–17).”[5]
Take the opportunity to evaluate your church, and yourself, by this biblical rubric. May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 87.
[2] Ibid. 87.
[3] Ibid. 377.
[4] Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 1 Ti 3:14–15.
[5] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 136–137.
His Word Today 