1 Timothy 3: Are You Blameless And Bold In The Faith?
Verse of the Day: (V2) “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;”
1. Blameless (V1-12)
V8 “Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;”
Apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit gave Timothy, his successor, the qualifications of church leaders, namely the bishop or pastor as well as the deacons. The pastor must be blameless, vigilant, sober, hospitable, of good testimony, have the gifts of preaching and teaching, and the husband of one wife, because he is the head of the church. Likewise the deacons must also be blameless and godly as they assist the pastor in the church ministry.
V10 “And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.”
2. Boldness (V13-14)
V13 “For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
Another vital qualification of the leaders is great boldness in the faith. Since they are God’s leaders, they must have great boldness in the faith, not only in doing God’s works, but in sacrificing their lives for the gospel’s sake. Everything rises and falls on leadership. This was why Paul was in urgent need to meet Timothy to reiterate the importance of leadership so that the church could continue to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.
V14 “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:”
3. Believe (V15-16)
V15 “But if I tarry long, 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.”
Paul reminded the church that they represent the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. The truth is none other than Christ, who came in the flesh, seen of angels, died on the cruel cross, shed His blood for the sins of the world, and rose again the third day, and whosoever believes in Him shall never perish but have eternal life with Him in heaven!
V16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be blameless and have great boldness in the faith.
