Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: 1 Timothy 3-4 and Psalm 4

¹⁴ Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing to you with these instructions so that, ¹⁵ if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 

Timothy was a young man leading the community of believers in Ephesus. He had to realise that this community belonged first and foremost to the Living God. These were God’s people and this was God’s household. God had built this community of believers. God dwelt within and among them. God provided for their needs and protected them. And, as so many generations of parents have correctly said, “If you live under my roof you follow my rules.” The head of a household carries the authority to determine what character of household it will be, and to set guidelines for the family’s common life which will maintain that character. With all of that in mind, Paul was intent on teaching Timothy the standards of behaviour God had for His Household, the Church.

The other important description of the Church in this verse is that it is “the pillar and foundation of the truth“.

The Church is “the pillar of the truth” because it serves to uphold and display the truth to the world. In the ancient world, pillars were used not only to hold up buildings, but also to display public announcements of royal edicts and orders. The Church is to uphold the truth and announce it to the world.

The Church is also “the foundation of the truth” in the sense that truth is buried deep in the heart of the Church. The Church is to treasure the truth and keep it safe, giving it a firm place to be anchored in order to be displayed to the world.

Life application: Think of your local church in light of all of the above. What part are you called to play in ensuring that your relationships with fellow believers are pleasing to the Head of this Household? What role are you called to play in treasuring the truth? What role are you called to play in announcing the truth to the world?