1. Class VII:1 Timothy 3 © Dr. Esa Autero
NTS 5223 Pastoral Epistles
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Class VII:1 Timothy 3
© Dr. Esa Autero

2. καὶ ὁμολογουμένως μέγα ἐστὶν τὸ τῆς εὐσεβείας μυστήριον·
1 Tim 3
16 By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He was revealed in flesh,     vindicated in spirit,         seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles,     believed in throughout the world,         taken up in glory. (1 Tim 3:16)
καὶ ὁμολογουμένως μέγα ἐστὶν τὸ τῆς εὐσεβείας μυστήριον·
ὃς ἐφανερώθη ἐν σαρκί, ἐδικαιώθη ἐν πνεύματι, ὤφθη ἀγγέλοις, ἐκηρύχθη ἐν ἔθνεσιν, ἐπιστεύθη ἐν κόσμῳ, ἀνελήμφθη ἐν δόξῃ. (1 Tim. 3:16)

3. 1 Tim 3 1.1 Introduction to 1 Timothy 3
Any specific topics that catch your attention in 1 Tim 3?
Any specific sections that have
been used for
Doctrinal formulations?
Practical considerations in church
or society?
Any questions/comments arising
from the assigned readings?
 1 Tim 3 and the role and function of elders/overseers
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4. 1 Tim 3 1.2 Structure and Rhetoric of 1 Timothy 3
3:1-16 – Oversight and Service in Ephesus
Trustworthy saying (3:1)
Qualifications for ministries (3:2-12)
Overseers (3:2-7)
Deacons (3:8-12)
Male deacons (3:8-10, 12-13)
Female deacons (3:11)
Mission and ministry (3:14-16)
Practical instructions (3:14-15)
Creedal confession (3:16)
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5. 1 Tim 3
2.1 Exposition of 1 Tim 3
Trustworthy saying [pistos ho logos] (3:1)
Some scholars connect to previous section
Unlikely since “salvation through child-birth”
is very unique and unusual material in all NT
Reference is to desire to be in leadership
“desire for episkope” (oregetai/epithymei)
episkope – function, work or office of oversight/leadership
 Important to have good leadership in the church
in light of false teachers that are causing problems – strong desire is good but not enough!
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6. 1 Tim 3 The overseer must be… The meaning of Gk. episkopos
Function of a human or deity
Secular Gk.: financial officer of an
association
Cynic-philosophers: missionary preacher
In Acts 20:28: spiritual oversight, defense,
shepherding of God’s people (cf. Tit 1:5-7; Acts 2-:17, 28; 1 Pet 5:1-3; Jam 5:14; Phil 1:1)
1 Tim 3 focuses on character
Less emphasis on skills or charisma
*See also in the Jewish context 1 Macc 7:33; Bar 1:10-14; Ezra 6:10; Philo Legat. 280.
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7. 1 Tim 3 Overseer must be… (cf. Onasander, De imperatoris officio 1)*
anepilempton “irreproachable” – observable conduct
 Heading for all other qualities (cf. Tit 1:5 [anegkletos])
mias gynaikos andra “one-woman-man” – faithful to spouse
nephalion “sober-[minded]” – abstaining from drunkenness & excesses
sophrona “prudent/self-controlled” – sound mind and self-control
kosmion “appropriate” – behavior that is orderly and without confusion
philonekson “hospitable” – missionaries, believers & everyone
didaktikon “able to teach” – teaching/oversight major duties (cf. Tit 1:9)
me paroinon “not addicted to wine” (cf. Tit 1:7); not “teetotaler” (5:23)
me plekten “not a bully” – person who uses force to get one’s way
epieike “courteous” – treating people w/ patience & kindness
*similar prerequisites for being a good military general (Dibelius and Conzelman 1972: [Hermeneia])
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photo: Church of St. Titus, Gortyn Crete.

8. 1 Tim 3 amachon “not argumentative” – not picking fights
aphilargyron “not lover of money” – esp. in
light of false teachers as “lovers of gain” (6:5)*
Able to oversee (proistamenon) own household
ability to manage & care for own house that
leads to heath, virtue, and godliness
 Cannot care for God’s people if own family not in order (cf. 5:8)
me neophyton “not a recent convert” – no exact time limit given but presupposes time to mature (cf. 3:10) – danger of becoming conceited
Condemnation of the Devil or by the Devil
dei…martyrian kalen “must have good witness” – importance of good witness to the outsiders to avoid reproach (of church & gospel**)
 Is Paul contrasting to current false teachers/elders?
 No job description or specific duties given – focus on character
*See also Tit 1:7.
**As a representative of the church and the gospel.
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9. 1 Tim 3 Male and female deacons (3:8-13)
Diakonos (1 Cor 3:5; Rom 16:1; 2 Cor 3:6; Col 1:23)
Deacon/minister – not just “practical” or
“benevolent” ministry in NT
 e.g. Stephen and Philip (Acts 6-8); cf. 3:13
Qualifications for deacons …
semnous “respectful” – concern for reputation
me dialogous “not double-talker” – mean what say
Not heavy drinkers* – moderate use of alcohol
me aischrokerdeis “not greedy” – monetary or dishonest gain
Holding onto the mystery of faith and good conscience** – knowledge and wholehearted acceptance of the gospel and its implications
*μὴ οἴνῳ πολλῷ προσέχοντας (1 Tim. 3:8)
**ἔχοντας τὸ μυστήριον τῆς πίστεως ἐν καθαρᾷ συνειδήσει (1 Tim. 3:9)
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Background photos:
photo: Church of St. Titus, Gortyn Crete.

10. 1 Tim 3 Who are the gyne [women/wives] in 3:11?
Importance of testing – if approved character, then serve
Who are the gyne [women/wives] in 3:11?
Wives of the deacons OR
Female deacons OR
Distinct group of women ministers/leaders
 Paul does not indicate a specific relationship b/w men and women here
Female deacons probably the best option
Why no mention of overseer’s wives earlier? ---
Female diakonos in Rom 16:1 (Phoebe)
Background photos:
photo: Church of St. Titus, Gortyn Crete.

11. 1 Tim 3 Female deacons must be…
semnous “respectable” – concern for reputation (cf. 3:8)
me diabolous “not slanderers” – known for accusations, gossip, and put-downs
nephalious “sober-[minded]” – abstaining from drunkenness & excesses
Faithful in all things – character that is dependable
Returns to male deacons …
Background photos:
photo: Church of St. Titus, Gortyn Crete.

12. 1 Tim 3 Rewards of good service – all deacons
One-man-woman and caring for one own family
Rewards of good service – all deacons
Great standing (bathmon* kalon)
 Advance in rank OR influence & honor
Great confidence OR much boldness in faith
(pollen parresian en pistei)
 Reference to confidence in witness (cf. Phlm 8)
*NT hapax (Witherington, 3193)
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13. 1 Tim 3 Similarities & differences between overseers and deacons
Teaching function specified only in elders
Hospitality not mentioned with deacons
Deacons are to be specifically “tested” (but see 3:6)
Of the nine virtues, six are direct parallels
Some further questions & comments
What is the relationship b/w elders and deacons?
Are deacons under the authority of the elders?
How many deacons and/or elders in each house church?
*See esp. L.T. Johnson, 224.

14. 1 Tim 3 Most virtues for leadership reflect the
best of Greco-Roman world ethic
 Importance of witness to the world
Most character qualities mitigate against
harsh use of authority
E.g. non-combative, gentle, prudence cooperation, not lover of gain*
What’s the best way to combat false teachers?
Leaders with godly character
Because the church has the most important message, the leaders need to be in line with the message!
*eksapatetheisa
Background photos:
photo: Church of St. Titus, Gortyn Crete.

15. 1 Tim 3 Practical instruction and creedal hymn (3:14-16)
Paul hope to return to Ephesus – not sure
Conduct in God’s household (family imagery)
Closeness to the community
Church as the “pillar & foundation” truth
Temple metaphor – emphasis on solidity,
security & stability
Focus on the truth that the believers present to
to the surrounding world with actions, virtues & gospel
 3:16 moves to give a confession of faith – the truth in belief
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16. 1 Tim 3
μέγα ἐστὶν τὸ τῆς εὐσεβείας μυστήριον (1 Tim. 3:16)
μεγάλη ἡ Ἄρτεμις Ἐφεσίων (Acts 19:28)
16 By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He was revealed in flesh,     vindicated in spirit,         seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles,     believed in throughout the world,         taken up in glory. (1 Tim 3:16)
Confession of the “mystery of godliness” (eusebeias mysterion)
Individual phrases relatively easy
Exact connection & logic between stanzas more difficult
“mystery of godliness” – gospel now revealed (cf. Rom 11:25; 1 Cor 2:7; 15:51; Eph 1:9; 3:3-9; 5:32; 6:19; Col 1:26-27; 2:2; 4:3)
 Main points: Christology and missions
“Great is the Artemis of Ephesians” (Acts 19:28, 34)
*See Witherington KE:2844ff. Apollonis held the priesthood of Artemis. (see also 1 Tim 6:1-2; 6:6-10, 17-19).
**Gloer & Stepp, 163.
***Seneca, ad Helviam
Background photos:
photo: Church of St. Titus, Gortyn Crete.

17. ἀνελήμφθη ἐν δόξῃ. (1 Tim. 3:16)
Stylistic features – characteristics of Greco-Roman hymnody
Starts with relative pronoun Gk. hos – “the one who”
Every line begins w/ aorist passive verb – each verb ends w/ -the sound
Each line has “en” except 3rd
Each line ends in dative case noun*
Topical/chronological movement
1) Incarnation – “revealed in flesh”
2) Resurrection – “vindicated by s/Spirit”**
3) Resurrection/ascension/heavenly worship/
appearance to fallen angels (cf. Jude 6; 2 Pet 2:14; 1 Pet 3:19) “seen by angels”
4) Gentile mission and preaching – “preached among nations”
5) Reception of the gospel/beginning of church – “believed in the world”
6) Christ’s enthronement/ascension – “taken up in glory” (cf. John 17:5)
 Only the last one a bit difficult to square w/ chronological reading
ὃς ἐφανερώθη ἐν σαρκί,
ἐδικαιώθη ἐν πνεύματι,
ὤφθη ἀγγέλοις,
ἐκηρύχθη ἐν ἔθνεσιν,
ἐπιστεύθη ἐν κόσμῳ,
ἀνελήμφθη ἐν δόξῃ. (1 Tim. 3:16)
Christ-event
*See Gloer & Stepp, 176.
**Completion of His humanity if “spirit”
Background photos:
photo: Church of St. Titus, Gortyn Crete.
Mission

18. 1 Tim 3 What is the purpose of the creed in the context of 1 Tim 3?
Immediate context (prior to the creed)
The church being “pillar of truth”
Qualifications of godly leaders – contra false teachers
Missional witness of the church in the community
 Climax of 2:1-3:15
Immediate context (after the creed)
Apostasy in the “last days” (4:1-5)
Tasks and duties of Timothy (4:6-10)
Connection of correct doctrine, behavior, and the missionary purpose of the church
 “Mystery of godliness”: existence of Christians – in suffering and hope – as it relates to Christ and the mission of the church

19. 1 Tim 3 Questions and directions for application – 1 Tim 3
What are the most “sought after” characteristics of corporate leaders today?* – how would Paul respond?
What positive virtues are considered esp. important
in your community/culture?
What vices are considered particularly
heinous that respectable people should avoid?
In light of cultural and moral context in
your community write a list of 7 virtues and 7 vices
that any community leader should exhibit
Pick 4 of the most important virtues and vices from the list that are faithful to the Scripture and particularly important for a minister to exhibit to make the gospel attractive in your community.
*e.g. education, innovation, high-energy, high-productivity, good looks
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20. 1 Tim 3 s