1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God… I. LET US CONSIDER THE APPROPRIATE ATTRIBUTE HERE ASCRIBED TO GOD. He is called the "living God" and He is thus designated not in this place only, but also in numerous other places. He is self-existent and independent. There never was a time when He began to exist, and there never will be a time when He will cease to exist — He has "neither beginning of days nor end of life." He is also "the Fountain of Life" to all other beings throughout the whole creation. There is also a higher life, which, if we are Christians indeed, we have received from Him. II. LET US CONSIDER THE SIGNIFICANT NAME HERE GIVEN TO THE CHURCH OF GOD. It is called the house of God. "The house of God, which is the Church of the living God." He dwells in them individually, taking up His abode in their heart, and making it a holy temple unto Himself. "Know ye not," asks our apostle in writing to the Corinthians, "that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God?" He dwells also among His people collectively, being present in all their assemblies, as it is written, "In all places where I record My name, I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee." But there is another sense in which the word house issued in Scripture, and in which it may with propriety be understood here. It sometimes stands for the inhabitants of the house, the household, or the family. Thus it is said of Cornelius, the Roman centurion, that he was "a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house"; meaning all his family. The Church is the family of God. How great, then, is the privilege of those who belong to the house and family of God! III. LET US CONSIDER THE IMPORTANT OFFICE SUSTAINED BY THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD. It is present in the text as "the pillar and ground," that is, the stay and support "of the truth." In furtherance of this object, its ministers are to preach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. The members of the Church also are to co-operate with its ministers in giving support and currency to the truth. IV. TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO THE MANIFEST DUTY THAT RESTS UPON US AS MEMBERS OF THE VISIBLE CHURCH OF CHRIST, and particularly as members of that apostolical branch of it established in these kingdoms. "That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." There is also another duty that rests upon us as members of the Church — we must live the truth. In other words, we must exemplify its holy effects in our life and conversation. But there is a third duty which we are called upon to discharge as members of the Church, namely, to make known the truth, as far as we can, to those who are ignorant of it. (D. Rees, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. |
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