(1Ti 3:6)  “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.”  The idea here is that an older person in the Lord will have practiced the yielding of one’s will to the obedience of God’s Word. That act of humility would become a way of life. As our minds are reprogrammed through the washing of water of the Word we should begin to see ourselves rightly – as created, saved by grace not merit, adopted yet serving by the taking up of our cross daily. According to this standard, are you a novice?

(1Ti 3:4)  “One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (5)  (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)”  The proving ground of whether a man should pastor is his own home. If he neglects his home, he will neglect the church. If his family loves him the church will love him, for we get love by giving love. And notice the word, “ruleth”, something rejected in our society yet which must be before God. The very word “bishop” speaks of supervising, which is exercising authority.

 (1Ti 3:2)  “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; (3)  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;”  Summation: a person who is seeking to be like Jesus. So, this bishop, pastor, elder, will seek to put the Lord first in his life, followed by others, self last. God help every called Man of God to be so!

 (1Ti 3:2) “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;”  I wonder if churches, when seeking a new pastor, look as closely as they ought to see if the man matches the requirements? The person sitting in the pew looks for a good “preacher”. Yet, we are told the man should be “apt to teach”, rather than a good orator!

(1Ti 3:1)  “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.”  If God said, “Ass means donkey; should men be allowed to say ‘ass’ now means my behind?” Man has been allowed to rob God’s Word of its meaning. We have allowed them to take this word “bishop” which speaks of the authority to administrate the local church to mean “someone over the local pastor”. We have allowed men to take the word for pastor, “elder”, referring to the maturity needed, and given it to deacons. Follow not men but God! Follow only those men who are careful not to turn to the right hand or the left, but follow the narrow path of God’s Word!  

 (1Ti 2:9) “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety;… (10)  But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. (11)  Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. (12)  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (13)  For Adam was first formed, then Eve. (14)  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. (15)  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” The word “saved” there is not referring to “saved from hell”, but to the judgment of disobedience to God. Each of our positions are determined by God. Our one job is to submit to His Word.

(1Ti 2:13)  “For Adam was first formed, then Eve. (14)  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.”  The context of this writing is authority, praying for those in authority, submitting to those in authority, and not taking authority unto self –  (12)  “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” No one has the right to say to God, “To obey in this area says we are not very loving towards women.” To obey God says we love Him and He comes first in our lives! The world may not understand, but a saved person has no excuse for not understanding and thus loving in obedience.

 (1Ti 2:11) “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. (12)  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” I have heard it said, “This is not for today.” How do we determine what is “for today” and “what is not”? Has the Lord set this up for majority rule? Has He mandated that we can choose what we will believe and follow and what we will not? I have not read where God has said to man, “Do that which you think best.” I know this: I was bought with the very blood of God’s Son. He is my God and has all authority over me. He has never once asked me what I think. That leads me to believe what I think doesn’t matter. He is God alone. I will follow Him and whatever He has said – period.

(1Ti 2:9) “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; (10)  But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” Sentence structure allows us to remove adverbs and prepositional phrases leaving us with “In like manner, also, that women adore themselves…..with good works”. Within the parenthesis the Holy Spirit said, “this is the act of godliness”. Godliness is faith put to action in each of our lives! I say to you that lips of praise without actions of praise amount to nothing.