Timothy #3- The Official Commission (conclusion) Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy 1Timothy 3 - 4

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n Last week we covered chps.1-2: >Introduction to the Preacher Epistles >The Specific Function of Timothy’s Commission regarding Prayer and Women’s Roles n Today, we’ll examine: >Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy >Personal Admonitions to Timothy: Conduct, Group Relations w/ Groups

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n A few quick points to consider: >These are qualifications, not disqualifications- designed to select qualified men lead, not disqualify. >Thus, each should be viewed toward the role and responsibility of the job, not an arbitrary means to exclude. >Overseers, Bishops, Shepherds, & Elders all refer to same role, cf. Acts 20:17,28 more on names…. I. Overseers, 3:1-7 (& Titus 1:5-9)

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n More on Names: >Presbyter or Elder are both derivative of the Grk. presbuteros which means “one advanced in life, an elder” cf. 4:14 >Bishop or Overseer is from the Grk. episkopos- epi over, and skopeo to look, 1Pet.5:2 >Shepherd or Pastor is from poimen which is “one who tends a flock”. I. Overseers, 3:1-7 (& Titus 1:5-9)

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n Their Qualifications: >Aspires/Desires the office, v.1 W/o this one, the rest don’t matter. >Above Reproach / Blameless, v.2a nothing remaining accountable >Husband of One Wife, v.2b, Titus 1:6 not a bigamist or polygamist, widowed, or widowed and remarried is still husband of one wife I. Overseers, 3:1-7 (& Titus 1:5-9)

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n Their Qualifications: (cont.) >Temperate / Vigilant, v.2c circumspectness- one aware of surroundings and proceeds with caution & consideration >Prudent / Sober, v.2d one in control of his faculties physically, emotionally, & mentally- not wishy-washy or flighty of thought, cf. Eph.4:14 I. Overseers, 3:1-7 (& Titus 1:5-9)

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n Their Qualifications: (cont.) >Respectable / Good Behavior, v.2e orderly, polite, and having integrity rather than tactless, rough, and rude. >Hospitable, v.2f; Titus 1:8 philoxenos- fond of guests, cf.Heb.13:2; not a hermit or recluse >Able / Apt to Teach, v.2g; Titus 1:9 prepared, capable, instructive, 2Tim.2:24-26 I. Overseers, 3:1-7 (& Titus 1:5-9)

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n Their Qualifications: (cont.) >Not Addicted to Wine, v.3a just what it says- it means >Not Pugnacious, v.3b not belligerent or combative >Gentle / Patient, v.3c the necessity of seen in 2Tim.2:24ff and 1Thess.2:7 >Uncontentious, v.3d (like the previous) I. Overseers, 3:1-7 (& Titus 1:5-9)

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n Their Qualifications: (cont.) >Free from the Love of Money, v.3e important because of 5:17ff & 6:5ff >Good House Manager, vv.5-6; Titus 1:6 faithful in little > faithful in much Note: control with dignity! >Not a New Convert, v.6 Elders now taught, not bestowed, Acts 14:23 & Acts 8:18-19 I. Overseers, 3:1-7 (& Titus 1:5-9)

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n Their Qualifications: (cont.) >Of Good Reputation Outside, v.7 lest he bring reproach upon the church and make it more difficult for it to do its work of evangelism, Phil.2:15. All of these are specific to the Elder’s preparation for his duties, to the carrying out and on of the Lord’s work through the Church. I. Overseers, 3:1-7 (& Titus 1:5-9)

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n Their Name: >is indicative of service. Grk. diakonos refers to a servant. Acts 6:1-6 as an example. Phil.1:1 contains the only other use of the term outside of 1Tim.3 in the N.T. II. Deacons, 3:8-13

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n Their Qualifications are much like the Elders: >men of dignity, v.8a > v.4b +not double-tongued, v.8b insincere, two-faced, saying two different things to different people >not addicted to much wine, v.8c > v.3 These are not standards from each other Christians are released- just the best of the best, cf.1Pet.4:3. II. Deacons, 3:8-13 “>” like for the Elders “+” a new or different qualification

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n Their Qualifications are much like the Elders: >or fond of sordid gain, v.8d > v.3 +holding to the mystery of faith with a clear conscience, v.9 cf. 1:5 and 1:19 +let these also be tested, v.10 as in v.6 “not a new convert” cf. 5:22 “if they are beyond reproach” cf.v.2 II. Deacons, 3:8-13

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n Their Qualifications are much like the Elders: +Women, v.11 marginal readings suggest either deacons’ wives / deaconesses. Wives make more sense given 2:11-12 and if deaconesses, then the only qualifications would be v.11- less than the deacons??? No mention of deaconesses in Phil.1:1. II. Deacons, 3:8-13 So, Wives must be: >dignified, v.11a >not gossips, v.11b >temperate, v.11c >faithful in all, v.11d

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n Their Qualifications are much like the Elders: >husbands of one wife, v.12a > v.2 >good managers of home, v.12b > v.4 The rewards of such service? “For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” v.13 II. Deacons, 3:8-13

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n Give the reasons for these “household of God” instructions: >v.14-15a Paul planned to come to Ephesus, but “in case I am delayed” >v.15 he wanted Timothy to know and to relay “how one ought to conduct himself…in the church of the living God, the pillar and support of truth. >v.16 Obviously, Jesus is the cornerstone of such a structure. The Parenthetical Explanation vv.14-15

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n This section is the last of the Official Commission portion of the letter- the rest will be more of personal instruction for Timothy beginning with v.6ff. III. The Apostasy, 4:1-5

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n The reason for the warning? >explicit revelation by the Spirit, v.1 n The time of the Apostasy? >in the latter times, v.1 > 2Tim.3:1 by the characteristics that follow, we’re here…. III. The Apostasy, 4:1-5

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n The What- >men will fall away from the faith, v.1a n The Why- >paying attention to deceitful spirits, v.1b as John also described, 1John 4:1-6 >and doctrines of demons, v.1c as James mentioned, Jas.3:13-15 see also 2Cor.11:13-15 III. The Apostasy, 4:1-5

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n The How- >hypocrisy of liars, v.2a >whose conscience has been seared, v.2b n The Resulting Teaching- >forbidding of marriage, v.3a >advocation of abstaining from foods, v.3b Sound familiar? n The Solution- >Truth, v.3b and Prayerful Thanks, vv.4-5 III. The Apostasy, 4:1-5

Timothy #3- Official Commission: Elders, Deacons, & Apostasy n Our Elders and Deacons ought to be the best of the best…. the church of the living God deserves no less. n Apostasy had its seeds of origin even as Paul wrote to Timothy, it certainly has not withered on the vine and died since! n The solution is still the same, 4:3b. Conclusions?