• I Timothy 3:12-4:5
  • Qualifications for deacons, continued:
    • I Timothy 3:12 – good managers of their children and household
      • See also I Timothy 3:4. Elders are required to have this same qualification.
    • I Timothy 3:15
      • Is “church” used here in the local or universal sense?
        • It seems to be used in the universal sense here. Either way, the point is that Christians would have to follow God’s inspired instructions in order to know how to conduct themselves. Paul was not writing just for friendship, or to pass on ordinary news.
      • “the pillar and support of the truth”
        • Saved people obey and teach God’s truth, thus they are the pillar and support of truth. See Acts 8:3; I Corinthians 1:2; 12:13,27-28; Ephesians 5:23.
  • I Timothy 4:1 – See Mark 5:7; Acts 16:17.
  • I Timothy 4:3 – There is nothing wrong with abstaining from marriage, certain foods, etc. It is wrong to bind these rules on other people as a matter of faith.