Lawrence DeMetrius

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Letter of Apostle Paul – I Timothy
An Intimate Review
Pt 3
By Lawrence DeMetrius

In [I Tim 2:8-15] Apostle Paul offers his opinion regarding his idea of conduct for godly women. His suggestions likely stem from the culture of his day and that of more ancient times. Cultural Milieu Analysis will provide more insight on this topic. In [I Tim 3:5-8, 10, 15, 16] Apostle Paul offers counsel for those who desire to serve in the office of a PASTOR, BISHOP and DEACON. He makes a profound statement regarding one’s influence within their personal household writing,

For if a man know not how to RULE his OWN HOUSE, how shall he take care of the CHURCH OF GOD?
[I Tim 3:5]

Apostle Paul then gives reasons why he warned Timothy that certain character must be proven in those desiring to serve in these offices.

1. Those who are NOVICE have a tendency to become lifted up with pride in these offices and easily fall into the condemnation of the Devil. [I Tim 3:6]
2. Whoever serves in these offices must HAVE A GOOD REPORT of them which are WITHOUT. Not having a good report established can cause them to fall into reproach and snare of the DEVIL. [I Tim 3:7]
3. The most important reason of all is that the Church of THE LIVING GOD is the pillar, ground of truth and means by which Yahweh manifests HIMSELF.

As it is for DEACONS so it is for PASTORS and BISHOPS, that character must be proven. Many devils have been placed in these offices solely based on credentials, collegian degrees and denominational certifications with little to no regard of character, spiritual maturity or confirmation of FAITH based on the Doctrine of Jesus Christ and approval of the Holy Ghost. [I Tim 3:15]

*prove Gk #1381 dokimazo (dok-im-ad-zo) it means to test, approve, discern and examine

Per [I Tim 3:10] EVALUATION of character was exercised in the more ancient generations. [I Sam 16:7; Pro 20:27; Eccl 10:1] Now that the reasons why PROVING of character is necessary prior to assigning one to an office of high influence within Christian Assemblies, it is important to know what the OFFICE of a BISHOP and DEACON are. [I Tim 3:1]

*office of a bishop Gk #1984 episkope (ep-is-kop-ay) it is inspection for relief

• inspection is…
o the act of viewing and inspecting carefully or critically
o official and formal viewing or examination
• relief is…
o release from a post of duty, as by the arrival of a substitute or replacement
o the person or persons acting as replacement

This portion of the definition suggests that the OFFICE OF A BISHOP is limited to certain electorates for a specific amount of time. When their period expires another candidate is selected for the office.

• superintendence is…
• the act and process of superintending
• direction, supervision and oversight
• Christian episcopate is…
• the office and dignity of a bishop
• bishopric, order and body of bishops
• the duty and obligation of a bishop
• diocese of a bishop is…
o an ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop
 ecclesiastical means…
 of or relating to the church or the clergy
 churchly, clerical and not secular
 district is…
 a division of territory, as of a country, state or county that is marked off for administrative, electoral or other purposes
 a region and locality

This has to do with the geographical area in which one is assigned to perform certain duties on behalf of Yahweh’s Church. One should also know that Lucifer’s kingdom is organized in like fashion. It too is impeccably ordered with leadership structure, specific to geographical areas for oversight of dark powers. Lucifer is a Cherub angel, who fully understands the functionality of rank, order, place and purpose. Thus, he is well versed on how things must be to accomplish desired results.

*bishop Gk #1985 episkopos (ep-is-kop-os) it is an overseer, superintendent and Christian officer in general care of a church

*deacon Gk #1249 diakonos (dee-ak-on-os) it is an attendant, waiter of a table or other menial duties including that of a Christian teacher and pastor

*office of a deacon [I Tim 3:10, 13] Gk #1247 diakoneo (dee-ak-on-eh-o) it means to…
• be an attendant and wait upon menially as a host and friend
• be a teacher and act as a Christian deacon
• serve, minister, administer unto and use the office of a deacon

*servant Gk #1248 diakonia (dee-ak-on-ee-ah) it is…
• attendance as a servant
• figurative of eleemosynary aid
• the official service of a Christian teacher, diaconate and minister

Per this definition, the office of a DEACON can be held by a man or woman of worthy Christian character and faith. Phoebe was a female DEACON. [Rm 16:1, 2]
In fact, there was also a female Apostle named Junia. [Rm 16:7] Apostle Paul admonishes Christians to know them who labor among them. The best way to do this is by working amongst active members of a local Christian assembly. Apostle Paul writes,

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
And to esteem them very highly in love for their works’ sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
[I Thes 5:12, 13]
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind,
Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
[I Pet 5:1-4]

Every Christian should be an active member of a local assembly, where they can be edified in corporate worship on a regular basis. It is also advisable that Christian ministers have credible references that will attest to their character, work and faith. Wise leadership will require these resources, as it is their responsibility to protect their flocks from false teachers. Apostle Paul then expounds upon character requirements for those who desire to serve in the office of a BISHOP and DEACON.

1. They must be proven to be BLAMELESS. [I Tim 3:2, 10]

*blameless Gk #423 anepileptos (an-ep-eel-ape-tos) it means inculpable and unrebukable

2. They must be the husband of one wife. [I Tim 3:2, 12]

This suggests that Apostle Paul preferred married people to serve in these offices.

3. They must be VIGILANT. [I Tim 3:2]

*vigilant Gk #3524 nephaleos (nay-fal-eh-os) it means sober and circumspect

• sober means…
o not intoxicated, drunk or habitually temperate, especially in the use of liquor
o quiet and sedate in demeanor
o marked by seriousness, gravity and solemnity in demeanor and speech
o modest in tone, not showy or flashy in style of clothing
o free from excess, extravagance or exaggeration
o having self-control, sanity and rational

• circumspect is being watchful, discreet, cautious, prudent and well-considered

4. They and their wives are to be SOBER. [II Tim 3:2, 11]

*sober Gk #4998 sophron (so-frone) it means safe and sound in mind, self-controlled and moderate in opinion and passion

5. They must be of good BEHAVIOR. [I Tim 3:2]

*behavior Gk #2887 kosmios (kos-mee-os) it means orderly, modest and decorous

6. They must be given to HOSPITALITY. [I Tim 3:2]

*given English is being inclined or having a certain inclination or disposition

*hospitality Gk #5382 philoxenos (fil-ox-en-os) it means fond of guests and hospitable, which is…
• receiving or treating guests or strangers warmly and generously
• characterized by warmth and generosity toward guests or strangers
• favorably receptive or open

These definitions suggest that those serving in these offices should be people who enjoy being around, making their acquaintance with and entertaining people.

7. They must be able to TEACH. [I Tim 3:2]

*apt to teach Gk #1317 didaktikos (did-ak-tik-os) it means to be instructive, which means to enlighten or convey knowledge and information

8. They must not be given to wine. [I Tim 3:3]

*given Gk #3943 paroinos (par-oy-nos) it means…
• staying near wine
• tippling, which is habitually drinking intoxicating liquor to some degree or in small quantities
• to be a toper, which is a hard drinker or chronic drunkard

9. They must not be STRIKERS.

*striker Gk #4131 plektes (plake-tace) it is…
• one who smites, which means to…
o hit hard with the hand, stick or another weapon
o deliver or deal a blow by striking hard
o strike down, injure or slay
o afflict or attack with deadly or disastrous effect
o affect mentally or morally with sudden pain
• pugnacious, which means inclined to quarrel and ready to fight
• belligerent, which means aggressively hostile, warlike in character and given to waging war
• combative, which means ready and inclined to fight
• inclined to quarrel which is…
o angry dispute or altercation
o disagreement marked by a temporary or permanent break in friendly relations
o cause of dispute, complaint or hostile feeling
• argumentative and contentious, which is…
o tending to strife and argument
o causing, involving or characterized by controversy

The STRIKER mentality is forbidden for all Christian witnesses and brings no value to one’s effectiveness in The Ministry of Divine Iconoclasm. Apostle Paul writes,

And the SERVANT of THE LORD must not STRIVE; but be gentle unto ALL men, APT TO TEACH, patient.
IN MEEKNESSS INSTRUCTING those that oppose THEMSELVES: if GOD peradventure WILL GIVE THEM REPENTANCE to the acknowledging of the truth:
And that THEY may recover THEMSELVES out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
[II Tim 2:24-26]
10. BISHOPS and DEACONS are not to be GREEDY of FILTHY LUCRE or COVETOUS. [I Tim 3:3, 8]

*not greedy of filthy lucre/covetous Gk #866 aphilarguros (af-il-ar-goo-ros) it means not avaricious or characterized by covetousness and avarice, which is insatiable or inordinate desire for riches and wealth

Unfortunately, in these last days, Mammon worship is being subtly taught as an element of prosperity and abundant life and living. Born again believers due to well to mark and avoid it. [Mt 6:19-24, 33; 19:21-26; Lk 12:15; Col 3:1, 2; I Tim 6:6-10, 17-19; I Jn 2:15-17]

11. They are to be PATIENT.

*patient Gk #1933 epiekes (ep-ee-i-kace) it means appropriate, mild and gentle

12. They are NOT TO BE BRAWLERS but PEACEABLE in demeanor. [I Tim 3:3]

*not a brawler Gk #269 amachos (am-akh-os) it means to be peaceable [Mt 5:9]

13. They are to RULE their own HOUSE, having their children in SUBJECTION with all GRAVITY. [I Tim 3:4, 5, 12]

*ruleth Gk #4291 proistemi (pro-is-tay-mee) it means to be over, stand before in rank, preside, practice and maintain

*house Gk #3624 oikos (oy-kos) it is a dwelling and domestic family

*subjection Gk #5292 hupotage (hoop-ot-ag-ay) it means subordination

*gravity Gk #4587 semnotes (sem-not-ace) it means to be venerable, which is commanding respect due to great age, dignity and worthiness of reverence due to service in a high office or noble character

This definition suggests that Apostle Paul prefers those serving in the offices to be family oriented people. The greatest PROOF of one’s Christian faith and character is expressed domestic household.
14. They cannot be a NOVICE. [I Tim 3:6]

*novice Gk #3504 neophutos (neh-of-oo-tos) it means newly planted or a young convert

15. They must have a good REPORT of them which are WITHOUT. [I Tim 3:7]

*report Gk #3141 marturia (mar-too-ree-ah) it is evidence given

*without Gk #1855 exothen (ex-o-then) it means external, which is…
• of or relating to the outside or outer part
• situated or being outside of something
• acting or coming from without
• pertaining to the outward or visible appearance or show

In [I Tim 3:8-13] Apostle Paul gives more requirements for those who want to serve in the OFFICE of a DEACON.

1. They along with their wives must be GRAVE. [I Tim 3:8, 11]

*grave Gk #4586 semnos (sem-nos) it means venerable and honorable

2. They must not be DOUBLETONGUED. [I Tim 3:8]

*doubetongued Gk #1351 dilogos (dil-og-os) it means equivocal or telling a different story

Per Apostle Paul, there is no room for deviance from the pure teachings of Christ. Thus, leaders in Christ must always be sure their speech and conduct is not contrary to the teaching of Christ, regardless of diplomacy or office. [Jn 14:6; II Jn vs 7-11]

3. They are to be HOLDING the MYSTERY of the FAITH in a PURE CONSCIENCE. [I Tim 3:9]

*holding Gk #2192 echo (ekh-o) it means to hold, which is to…
• keep fast, grasp, have, retain or keep in the hand
• bear, sustain or support as with the hands, arms or any other means
*mystery Gk #3466 musterion (moos-tay-ree-on) it is a secret through the idea of silence that is imposed by initiation into religious rites

*faith Gk #4102 pistis (pis-tis) it is…
• persuasion and credence
• moral conviction of religious truth, truthfulness of Yahweh or a religious teacher
• reliance upon Christ for salvation and constancy of such profession
• the system of religious truth based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ

*pure Gk #2513 katharos (kath-ar-os) it means clean, which is free from dirt, unsoiled, unstained, unadulterated and free from pollution, foreign or extraneous matter

*conscience Gk #4893 suneidesis (soon-i-day-sis) it is co-perception, moral consciousness and the conscience, which is…
• the inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's own conduct or motives that impels them to right action
• the complex of ethical and moral principles that control one’s actions or thoughts
• an inhibiting sense of what is wise

4. DEACONS and their wives are not to be SLANDERERS. [I Tim 3:11]

*slanderer Gk #1228 diabolos (dee-ob-ol-os) it is a traducer, false accuser of which Lucifer is chief

5. DEACONS and their WIVES are to be FAITHFUL in all things. [I Tim 3:11]

*faithful Gk #4103 pistos (pis-tos) it means trustworthy and trustful

In [I Tim 3:12, 13] Apostle Paul expresses that they who serve well in the OFFICE of the DEACON acquire BOLDNESS to PROVE the quality of their character and FAITH.

*boldness Gk #3954 parrhesia (poar-rhay-see-ah) it is frankness, bluntness, publicity and assurance

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