1 Timothy 3:14–15 (ESV) — 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.
NOTE: Paul's hope
(even desire) was to visit Timothy and to specifically convey these truths in
person to the church. For even a godly man like Paul, hoping to do something
spiritual is no indication of the will of God. So, the letter is a "just
in case I don't make it" letter. And the purpose of the letter is very
clearly stated - "(that) you may know how one ought to behave in the
household of God …" This letter's purpose is how men and women should
behave in the church, the body of Christ. In 1 Tim 2:8, Paul tells man that he
desires for all men to pray in "all places" -- now we know, he was
referring to the gathering of the body. It fits even better with the
instructions to men and women. Men were failing to lead and pray. Women were
filling in the gap. But God has given us unique roles and responsibilities. Men
need to be the spiritual leaders in the church.
PRAYER: Father, help
me to see where I fail to lead. I pray I would be the one to take spiritual
initiative. I pray, I would be the one to say "let's pray." I pray
for gentle reminders of my responsibilities.
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