1 Timothy 3 Godliness & Usefulness

by | Jan 27, 2025 | 1 Timothy, New Testament

I. Called To Lead V.1

Bishop- investigation, inspection, visitation, oversight, charge
Bishops had their eyes on the church, looked out for them, led them, and guided them.

Christian men have been given varying degrees of leadership within the Body of Christ.

1. Some are in church leadership
2. Some lead in the business world, and in their communities
3. We are all to lead in our homes and our immediate spheres of influence.

Some of us are on the path that was God’s original plan for us.

1. Life has gone smoothly, and we have walked with God

But some of us have had deviations from God’s plan.

1. It was never God’s plan for me to backslide from age 18-24
2. It was never God’s plan for me to be involved with alcohol and drug abuse
3. It was never God’s plan for me to be involved with sexual immorality
4. His plan for me was that I would receive Jesus Christ as my Savior, get settled into a Bible teaching church, learn the Bible from a young age, be mentored by a godly man, learn ministry from my early adult life, learn about pastoral ministry, and steer clear of the ungodliness that I got immersed in. But that didn’t happen
5. Some might argue that God’s plan was for me to go through those things, that I might have compassion on others, etc.
6. I cannot believe that it was ever God’s plan for me to reject Him, & hurt myself and others.
7. Yet, it was always God’s plan for me to be a pastor.
8. Later in life than many others, I got back on track with a serious walk with Jesus.
9. I eventually got back to God’s plan for my life.
Philippians 2:12, 13 12Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation w/ fear & trembling; 13for it is God who works in you both to will & to do for His good pleasure.

Something similar to that story can be repeated by many guys here.
We find ourselves regretting our pasts, yet wanting lead in however that God has called us to.
We have that desire, and I praise God for that.
We are not disqualified from serving God, and leading in various capacities.

3:1 If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.
desire- to reach out, stretch out, to reach after anything, to long for it, to want it, etc.
It is good to desire a position of spiritual leadership, but not for personal benefit.
The position is one of servant hood, and putting others’ needs before your own.
It is not wrong to have a desire for the position of leading in your world

II. What Kind Of Man Can Effectively Lead Amongst God’s People?

The Qualifications for leadership are primarily those of character.
Character is the most important thing.
Paul gives us a long list of those qualities that will help or hinder a man to lead well.

1 Tim 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless,
One who does not have a bad reputation, against who no legitimate complaints can be made.
the husband of one wife- Not a polygamist. Polygamy was common in those days.
Temperate- watchful, circumspect.
sober-minded- a sound mind, one who is not ruled by his passions.
of good behavior- Knowing how to relate to others properly. Not brutish.
hospitable, one who is willing to open their home (heart, life), willing to have guests.
able to teach; able to impart instruction about the doctrines of the faith.

1 Tim 3:3 not given to wine, literally, “by wine.” Next to wine, with wine, intoxication
Eph 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
This does not forbid the use of wine, or prohibit it at all times. See 5:23
It simply calls for sobriety on the part of an overseer of God’s church.

not violent- unbridled anger. Bridle your anger, be controlled by the Spirit

not greedy for money an overseer of God’s church has a right to financial support. 1 Cor.9
It is the love for money that is the problem. See 6:10

but gentle, mild and kind demeanor.
not quarrelsome, not disposed to fighting
not covetous; not desirous of material goods or money. Not wanting what someone else has.

1 Tim 3:4 one who rules his own house well,
Our leadership must begin at home

having his children in submission with all reverence– The Dad leads, not the kids

1 Tim 3:5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);
Godly leaders should love all in the church equally, like a father w/his children. No partiality.

1 Tim 3:6 not a novice, one who has come newly to the faith.
Literally- one who is newly planted. Only usage in N.T.

lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.
puffed up– Literally, inflated. Big, but with no substance.
Don’t try to push yourself into places of influence before you are ready. It breeds pride.
Satan was condemned for his pride. Satan desires to be worshipped.
Mat 4:9 “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
1 Tim 3:7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
A leader must have a good reputation with all kinds of people, w/in the church, & outside.
Christians, non-Christians.
Non-Christians have a good idea of what a Christian should act like, at least morally.
They may not understand the spiritual life we have, but they know what kind of morals we should live by.
His influence will be ineffective if the unbelievers regard him as a carnal, worldly man.

1 Tim 3:8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money,
Deacon- They have charge of temporal affairs of the church.

Reverent– Showing proper respect towards both God and man.
Not double tongued Saying one thing, and meaning another. Truthful with their words.
Not given to much wine
Not greedy for money

1 Tim 3:9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.
mystery- that which was formerly hidden, but now revealed. The gospel was revealed.
The deacon is to hold fast to the revealed truths of the Christian faith.
He is to do so not only in word, but in deed.
Not hypocritically, but truly, with a pure conscience.

1 Tim 3:10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.
tested- their character should be knowable from constant acquaintance with them.

1 Tim. 3:11 Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
A wife can be a blessing or a hindrance to a man’s ministry.
Reverent- Showing proper respect towards both God and man.
Not slanderers- Backbiters, tale-bearers, false accuser. Literally, not devils.
Temperate- Sober, not misusing wine, not addicted to wine.
Faithful in all things- Trustworthy, one who can be trusted in all things.

1 Tim 3:12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
No polygamy, faithful in their homes to their wives and children.

1 Tim 3:13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing
Among God’s people, they show themselves to be faithful and dependable, godly men
Men that can be trusted, and are healthy influence in their families, communities, & church.

and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus
Openness, frankness, confidence, assurance.
A solid life and position of ministry and influence which flows from a godly life.
This type of life is seen clearly, and recognized, and admired by those who love the Lord.

III. The Connection Between Godliness & Leadership V. 15

I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself
Also, so Timothy could tell Christian men how to conduct themselves.
So that Christian men & leaders would know how to be effective in serving God

God’s people need to be instructed on how to conduct their lives, and especially in the house of God, and concerning the affairs of the church.

God’s “church”, which goes beyond the confines of organized ministry, needs men who will live right and speak right and lead others.

Our effectiveness is in a great way measured by our godliness or lack thereof.

The “House of God”, “the church”, is more rightly understood as the Body of Christians.

This included large and small corporate gatherings, as well as day to day relationships.

the pillar and ground of the truth.
The church is meant to support the truths of God, to hold them forth, and to defend them.
The church of Jesus Christ is called upon to hold forth his revealed truth, and to maintain it.

ground the basis, or foundation of truth. The stability of the church is the truth of God.
The church then holds up, or holds forth the truth, much like a pillar.