|
1Timothy,
Chapter Three, Lesson One
ABOVE REPROACH Page
2
Read Passage (V.1-3)
Opening Prayer
Above Reproach
INVESTIGATE
V. 1 ** How does Paul get Timothy’s attention as he begins
to describe the position of spiritual leadership known as elder or overseer?
By beginning with the phrase “It is a trustworthy statement”.
Paul uses this statement five times in his epistles, here referring to a call to the ministry and the remaining
four times to doctrinal matters. Each time he is expressing a basic
truth of great importance and one that should be familiar among believers.
cf. 1Timothy 1:15, 4:9, 2Timothy 2:11 and Titus 3:8
** How does Paul further establish the appropriate gender for church
leadership?
He says, “...if any man aspires to the office of overseer...”.
The use of the indefinite pronoun tis should be taken here as masculine. That puts it in concert with the
statements of verse 2 and 4-5 which follow. A woman could never be “the
husband of one wife” and the women of Paul’s day were never
the heads of their households.
** How does Paul describe this man’s effort to become a Godly leader
within the church?
Paul says the this man “aspires” to the office. The
word orego appears only here and in 1Timothy 6:10 and Hebrews
11:16. It literally means “to reach out after” or “to
stretch out oneself to grasp something”. While is does not refer
to internal motives, Paul uses it here to describe a man with a compelling
desire to serve the Lord prompted by the Holy Spirit.
** What does Paul add here in verse one that would indicate this man’s
compelling desire?
“it is a fine work he desires to do”. While the English
word “desires” gives us a glimpse into this man’s heart, the Greek word epithumeo translated here as
“desires”, goes much further in helping us to understand how
God has changed this man’s heart. It means “a passionate compulsion”
and demonstrates the internal driving force within this Godly individual.
Go to page 1 Go to page 3
|
