Vincent Word Studies - 1 Timothy 3:15 - 3:15

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Vincent Word Studies - 1 Timothy 3:15 - 3:15


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

I tarry long (βραδύνω)

Only here and 2Pe 3:9.

Thou oughtest to behave thyself (δεῖ ἀναστρέφεσθαι)

The verb ἀναστρέφεσθαι only here in Pastorals. In Paul, 2Co 1:12; Eph 2:3. The reference is not to Timothy's conduct as the A.V. implies but rather to the instructions which he is to give to church members. Rend. how men ought to behave. See on conversation, 1Pe 1:15.

House of God (οἴκῳ θεοῦ)

An O.T. phrase, used of the temple. More frequently, house of the Lord (κυρίου); see 1Ki 3:1; 1Ki 6:1; 1Ch 22:2, 1Ch 22:11; 1Ch 29:2, etc. Applied to the church only here. Paul has οἰκείους τῆς πίστεως Hebrews householders of the faith (Gal 6:10), and οἰκεῖοι τοῦ θεοῦ householders of God (Eph 2:19), signifying members of the church. Christians are called ναὸς θεοῦ sanctuary of God (1Co 3:16, 1Co 3:17; 2Co 6:16); and the apostles are οἰκονόμοι household stewards (1Co 4:1). So of a Bishop (Tit 1:7). See also Heb 3:6.

Church (ἐκκλησία)

See on 1Th 1:1.

Pillar and ground of the truth (στύλος καὶ ἑδραίωμα τῆς ἀληθείας)

Στύλος pillar, in Paul only Gal 2:9. In Rev 3:12; Rev 10:1. Ἑδραίωμα stay, prop, better than ground. N.T.o. olxx, oClass. The kindred adjective ἑδαῖος firm, stable, 1Co 7:37; 1Co 15:58; Col 1:23. These words are in apposition with church. The idea is that the church is the pillar, and, as such, the prop or support of the truth. It is quite beside the mark to press the architectural metaphor into detail. By giving to ἑδραίωμα the sense of stay or prop, the use of the two words for the same general idea is readily explained. The church is the pillar of the truth, and the function of the pillar is to support.