Paul’s First Letter To Timothy (Continued)

Church Officers
•	I Timothy 3:1
•	Apart from the five-fold ministry named in Ephesians 4:11 there are four other titles used for church offices: elders, bishops, presbyters and deacons. 
•	It is indicated in Philippians 1:1 that there are two offices in the church separate from the rest of the congregation: bishops and deacons. 

Qualifications Of A Bishop
•	I Timothy 3:2-7
•	Anyone who would desire such an office has a noble ambition.
•	It will be profitable to study the qualifications as given by the Apostle Paul:
•	Blameless - above reproach.
•	Husband of one wife - faithful to one (living) wife.
•	Vigilant - hard working.
•	Sober - thoughtful and orderly.
•	Good behavior - courteous.
•	Given to hospitality - hospitable.
•	Apt to teach - a good teacher.
•	Not given to wine - does not drink intoxicating beverages.
•	No striker - no brawler.
•	Not greedy of filthy lucre - not a lover of money.
•	Patient - forbearing disposition.
•	Not a brawler - not quarrelsome.
•	Not covetous - not greedy of wealth.
•	Ruleth well his own house.
•	Not a novice - not a young convert.
•	Paul placed emphasis upon the bishop maintaining a well disciplined and hospitable home. 
•	The admonition against being a novice warns against the danger of pride, which would cause him to fall into the same condemnation with the devil.

Qualifications Of A Deacon
•	I Timothy 3:8-13
•	It is significant that the qualifications for a deacon are similar to those of a bishop, but a few added.
•	Not double-minded - not indulging in double-talk.
•	"They must be men who combine a clear conscience with a firm hold on the deep truths of our faith" (verse 9 - The New English Bible).
•	First be proved - undergo a scrutiny.
•	Special attention is given to the character of the wife of a deacon. 
•	It would seem that if the wife was worldly, she could disqualify her husband from the office of a deacon.
•	Note carefully verse 13, ex: Stephen and Philip.

Warning Against Heretical Teaching
•	I Timothy 4:1-5
•	Paul gave a warning against the apostasy of the last times, which has been clearly spoken of by the Holy Spirit. 
•	Paul named two of these devil-inspired lies: they were not to marry and not to eat meat.
•	In verse 5 we are instructed to eat with thanksgiving and prayer sanctifies our food. 

Exhortation To Be A Good Minister
•	I Timothy 4:6-8
•	Timothy was told that he would be a worthy pastor if he would give these instructions to the church. 
•	Timothy was also instructed not to waste time arguing about foolish ideas and silly myths. 
•	He was to spend his time in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit. 

Exhortation For Timothy’s Personal Life
•	I Timothy 4:9-16
•	In every phrase of Timothy’s life, he was to be an example for the believers, no matter the age.
•	He was to be an example to the believers in the following:
•	Word - speech.
•	Conversation - manner of life.
•	Charity - love.
•	Faith - faithfulness.
•	Purity - chastity.
•	Meditation is almost a lost art in these days, but Timothy was exhorted to meditate upon the instructions Paul gave him. 
•	Not only was he to thoughtfully remember them, but he was to throw himself into these things so that his progress would be evident to all.
•	He was to watch carefully his teaching and to persevere in them himself. 
•	If he did this both, he and those to whom he ministered would be saved.