 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
Qualifications for Deacons 8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. The Mystery of Godliness 14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. Meditation The love of God welcomes outsiders into His family. Christians are children sealed with God’s Spirit (Romans 8:15-16), forged as family in the spiritual house of God (1 Peter 2:4-5). Christians claim a new identity, “no longer strangers… but members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19-22). Paul explains that the mystery of godliness must be manifest in God’s house, describing how leaders set the pace in “how one ought to behave in the household of God… a pillar and buttress of the truth” (15). God’s house requires godly leaders who meet specific qualifications. Overseers and deacons must meet character requirements with integrity, demonstrated publicly and reinforced in their private live. On both lists is the requirement to manage their own household. “If someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will they care for God’s church?” (5) The leaders of God’s house must lead and love in a way that reflects the heart of our Father, “from whom every family in heaven and on earth are named” (Ephesians 3:15-16). This must be true in the community and in homes, so Christ may richly dwell in our hearts through faith, and so the Church may be rooted and grounded in love. This love is the mystery of the gospel and the ground from which godliness grows. The Church is the family of God formed by truth and love, following leaders who proclaim the truth publicly and live the truth privately, walking in love both in leadership and in everyday life. Richly Dwelling -Do you embrace the identity of being a member of the household of God? Why or why not? -Why is it important for leaders in God’s house to manage their own house well, embodying the truth the Church is called to embrace? -How can YOU rejoice in truth, celebrating and supporting truth in your love, life, and labor? Be specific! This is an implication of your identity, a member of God’s household. Key Verse if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Comments are closed.
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