THE PILLAR AND FOUNDATION OF THE TRUTH

Passage: 1 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Key verse: 15

NIV

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church(A) of the living God,(B) the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery(C) from which true godliness(D) springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,(E)
    was vindicated by the Spirit,[a]
was seen by angels,
    was preached among the nations,(F)
was believed on in the world,
    was taken up in glory.(G)

4 The Spirit(H) clearly says that in later times(I) some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits(J) and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.(K) 3 They forbid people to marry(L) and order them to abstain from certain foods,(M) which God created(N) to be received with thanksgiving(O) by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good,(P) and nothing is to be rejected(Q) if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God(R) and prayer.

Footnotes
  1. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Mystery of Godliness

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

(A)He[a] was manifested in the flesh,
    vindicated[b] by the Spirit,[c]
        (B)seen by angels,
(C)proclaimed among the nations,
    (D)believed on in the world,
        (E)taken up in glory.

Some Will Depart from the Faith

4 Now (F)the Spirit expressly says that (G)in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to (H)deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of (I)liars whose consciences are seared, 3 (J)who forbid marriage and (K)require abstinence from foods (L)that God created (M)to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For (N)everything created by God is good, and (O)nothing is to be rejected if it is (P)received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy (Q)by the word of God and prayer.

Footnotes
  1. 1 Timothy 3:16 Greek Who; some manuscripts God; others Which
  2. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or justified
  3. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. God's household (3:14-16) The church is not a building or organization but the household of God - the family of God, whom the living God dwells with. This church is centered on this truth of Jesus' person and Jesus' work. True godliness springs from this mysterious union of man with God through the gospel of Jesus. The church, living out true godliness in a fallen world, becomes the pillar and foundation of truth as we hold to it (3:9) guard it (6:2 ) and proclaim it (4:13). 2. Consecrated by the word of God (4:1-5) In contrast to truth, demonic-influenced teaching led to extreme asceticism: forbidding people to marry or abstain from certain foods. This was not truth, but deceit. Everything God created is good, and is to be received with thanksgiving. Let's hold to the word of God and prayer, living a holy (consecrated) life.

Prayer: Father, thank you for welcoming me into your household through the gospel of Jesus. Help me live a holy life based on your truth.

One Word: Church is where the living God dwells