Dear Paul Part 3

Jeremiah 31:27-32:44
1 Timothy 3:1-16
Psalm 88:1-18
Proverbs 25:20-22

If you are wondering what on earth the following letter is all about then please click here

Some chapters like the one in 1 Timothy here will present a little bit of a challenge for a commentary of this sort in that it is blindingly obvious what Paul is being asked about here and so any kind of long-winded question is going to look false.  But here goes for part 3

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As you have said before, people in churches complain less about their leaders and those in authority when they are close to them and come from their own fellowship and so I want to try to revitalise the local leadership here and take the burden of responsibility off my own shoulders a little.  What types of leadership would you propose for us here in Ephesus?  I remember you telling me that in the Jerusalem church and in your own church in Antioch they had elders who looked after the pastoral and preaching work of the congregation and deacons who looked after the practical and charitable work of the church.  Should we employ that model here?

Have you any guidelines that would help about who should be an elder or a deacon?  Quite often there are gifted speakers and gifted organisers within the community here but their own moral life does not live up to their gifting.  Should I appoint such flawed men and women as leaders in the hope that their moral life will improve with the responsibilities of leadership?  Also some people here appear to be gifted but are extremely busy.  I have one businessman who seems run ragged with the demands of keeping his three wives and their unnumbered children fed and clothed.  No doubt he has the organisational skills needed but is it worth appointing a person who simply will not have the time?  Finally (in this section) is there any specific advice you would give for appointing female deacons?

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As usual 1 Timothy 3 for comparision

1 Timothy 3

Leaders in the Church

 ¹ This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be an elder,^[a] he desires an honorable position.” ² So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.^[b] He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. ³ He must not be a heavy drinker^[c] or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. ⁴ He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. ⁵ For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? ⁶ An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.^{[d] 7} Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.
 ⁸ In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. ⁹ They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.
 ¹¹ In the same way, their wives^[e] must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.
 ¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. ¹³ Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

The Truths of Our Faith

 ¹⁴ I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, ¹⁵ so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith^[f]:
   Christ^[g] was revealed in a human body
      and vindicated by the Spirit.^[h]
   He was seen by angels
      and announced to the nations.
   He was believed in throughout the world
      and taken to heaven in glory.

Footnotes:

1. 1 Timothy 3:1 Or an overseer, or a bishop; also in 3:2, 6.
2. 1 Timothy 3:2 Or must have only one wife, or must be married only once; Greek reads must be the husband of one wife; also in 3:12.
3. 1 Timothy 3:3 Greek must not drink too much wine; similarly in 3:8.
4. 1 Timothy 3:6 Or he might fall into the same judgment as the devil.
5. 1 Timothy 3:11 Or the women deacons. The Greek word can be translated women or wives.
6. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or of godliness.
7. 1 Timothy 3:16 Greek He who; other manuscripts read God.
8. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or in his spirit.