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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
3:14-16 Purpose of Writing: Behavior in the Church. Paul pauses to state the purpose of his letter and in so doing reveals its central focus. "How one ought to behave" in the church appropriately summarizes the instructions to groups in the church (2:1-3:13; 5:1-6:2), the instructions to Timothy, and the warnings against false teachers (1:3-20; 4:1-16; 6:3-20). True doctrine leads to right living.
3:15 In this very significant verse, Paul states his reason for writing 1 Timothy, providing one of the key NT descriptions of the church's identity and mission. The use of household (Gk. oikos) and related words to describe the church and its ministry is common in Paul (cf. 1 Cor. 4:1; Gal. 6:10; Eph. 2:19; as well as 1 Tim. 3:4-5, 12, 15; 5:4, 8, 14; cf. 1 Pet. 4:17). It describes the church as God's family, especially with reference to authority and responsibility within the church and the home. The stress is on God's authority over the church and the behavior of people in the church. Church of the living God highlights the church as the gathering (Gk. ekklēsia, "assembly") where God most clearly manifests his presence. Thus, references to God as the "living God" in Scripture often refer to his reality and presence in the community of believers (cf. Num. 14:28; Josh. 3:10; Matt. 16:16; 2 Cor. 6:16; Heb. 3:12; 9:14; 10:31). Identifying the church as a pillar and buttress of the truth is a way of saying that God has entrusted to the church the task of promoting and protecting the gospel (i.e., "the truth"; see note on 1 Tim. 2:4). The architectural imagery presents the church's responsibility of "holding up" the gospel before a watching world, probably with a view to repelling the attack of false teaching. This picture of the church is striking. The role of advancing the gospel is divinely given to the church, not (at least not in the same way) to any other body. Parachurch organizations have value, but they must support and not supplant the church.
3:16 The mystery of godliness refers to the entire content of God's revealed plan of salvation (cf. note on v. 9). Next comes a poetic exposition of that great gospel message. great indeed, we confess. This introduction may implicitly call upon the Ephesian church to affirm this confession and therefore the ethical and doctrinal implications drawn from it throughout the letter. The exact structure of this "hymn" is debated, but the basic idea is clear. God the Son has been revealed in human flesh (resulting in the crucifixion,
