Awake & Alive: 1 Timothy Reading Plan
Day 12
14I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15if 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. 1 Timothy 3:14-15
Don’t skim these verses, even though they might feel like an interruption in the discussion about church roles. This passage provides an important summary of Paul’s purpose for writing. Some consider it the central doctrinal reason for this Epistle.
Paul’s thesis statement here uses familial language as a key doctrinal foundation. The church is under God’s authority, but the relationship is far more intimate than a government or a set of rules. The foundation for the church, both in the New Testament and today, must always be anchored in God and His word.
Another significant term used is “church of the living God.” This language, consistent with much of the New Testament, highlights that under the new covenant, God’s presence is often most clearly experienced in the gathering of believers.
Finally, the “pillar and buttress” metaphor is significant as well. The church, the gathering of believers rather than a building or location, is the primary vessel for protecting and spreading the Gospel message. This is astonishing, as it places a divinely inspired task – the advancement of the Gospel – within the gathering of believers.
Understanding this makes it much easier to see why Paul emphasizes the structure and behavior of church members, especially leaders. The Gospel must first save, then transform, and finally be proclaimed by those who have experienced this life-changing message.