Order and Structure in the Church

Read I Timothy 2:11-12

The word translated “Submissiveness” (“with all subjection”) is 5292 – hupotage; it’s a military term meaning “subordinate” or “ranking under”.

Paul uses military terminology throughout the Pastoral epistles (e.g. I Timothy 1:3, he uses 3852- “paranggelo”, literally “to transmit a message”, which is used of someone carrying out an order, likewise I Timothy 1:18, where he also uses the same term for “charge” and uses 4752 “strateia” (from which we derive “strategy”) for “fight the good fight” (which might be better “war the good warfare”).

In I Timothy 2:12 the word translated “silence” (hesuchia) is translated as “peaceable” in I Timothy 2:2 – another possible translation is “stillness”.

What is the opposite of peaceableness?

What can this command tell us about the possible attitudes of the women in Ephesus?  Do you think the women of the Ephesian church were involved in the same heresies described in I Timothy 1?

You also have to consider these verses in the context of Galatians 3:28 and I Corinthians 11:2-16, as well as verses in Acts re: Priscilla and Aquila.

Read I Timothy 2:13-15

Verses 13 and 14 establish a basis for the ranking established in vv11-12. This is especially applicable if you take the terms for “men” and “women” in 11-12 to specifically mean wives and husbands.

There are two possible sets of interpretation of verse 15:

• “through Childbirth” means through the birth of Jesus, who brought salvation to all
• If you consider this to be a warning that women should accept their God-ordained role in humility and peace then it would protect her from error and deception.

Overseers and Elders

Elders of Israel (2205 – zawkane – literally “old men”): Ex 3:16,18, Lev 4:13-21, Deut 21:1-9, Josh 7:1-6, Judges 11:1-12, 1 Sam 8:1-5, 2 Sam 19:8-15, 1 Kings 8:1-5

What was the role of the elders of Israel? What can we learn about them from these passages?

Elders in the intertestamental period

By the time of the late second temple period, each Jewish community would have a gerousia – a group of the presbuteroi.  The size varied by the size of the community; the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem numbered seventy, while the Mishnah held that a community of 120 Jews should have a gerousia of 23 members.  Initially the elders were just that – the older men of the community, but the office came to be a hereditary one – by late burial inscriptions it would appear that elders could be young men.  From other sources it also appears that each gerousia would have a president, or gerousiarche.  This council would be responsible for acting as judges and participating in the government of the community.

Elders of Israel (4245 - Presbuteroi): Mt 21:23, Mt 26:59, Lk 9:22, Acts 4:1-12

Elders of the Church (4245 - Presbuteroi): Acts 11:27-30, 14:21-25, 15:2-6, 22-23

Read Acts 20:17-32, 36

What does Paul command the elders of the Church to do?

What does he also refer to them as?

Overseer – Episkope

 Acts 20:28, Phil 1:1, I Tim 3:2, Titus 1:7, I Peter 2:25

Consider both words in the context of Titus 1:5-7 and Acts 20:17,28

Doesn’t it appear that Paul is referring to the same group?

Overseer Qualifications

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Above Reproach (423 anepileptos -- unrebukeable)	I Tim 3:2	Titus 1:6,7
The Husband of One Wife	I Tim 3:2	Titus 1:6
Temperate (3524 nephalos – sober)	I Tim 3:2
Prudent (4998 sophronos – sound in mind; self-controlled)	I Tim 3:2	Titus 1:8
Respectable (2887 kosmios – modest)	I Tim 3:2
Hospitable (4382 philoxenos)	I Tim 3:2	Titus 1:8
Able to teach (1317 – didaktes) [Able to exhort in sound doctrine, Able to refute those who contradict]	I Tim 3:2	Titus 1:9
Not addicted to wine	I Tim 3:3	Titus 1:7
Not pugnacious	I Tim 3:3	Titus 1:7
Gentle (1993 epiekes – kindly, forebearing)	I Tim 3:3
Peaceable (1269 amachos – not quarrelsome)	I Tim 3:3
Free from the love of money [Not fond of sordid gain]	I Tim 3:3	Titus 1:7
Manages his own household well	I Tim 3:4
Keeps his children under control (with dignity)	I Tim 3:4
Having Children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion		Titus 1:6
Not a new convert	I Tim 3:6
Good reputation outside the church	I Tim 3:7
Not self willed (829 authades – arrogant)		Titus 1:7
Not quick-tempered (3711 – orgilos – soon angry)		Titus 1:7
Loving what is good		Titus 1:8
Just (1342 – dikaios – righteous)		Titus 1:8
Devout (3741 hosios – consecrated, holy)		Titus 1:8
Self Controlled (1468 – egkrates – strong in controlling appetites)		Titus 1:8
Holding fast to the faithful word		Titus 1:9

Are there any qualifications on this list that would not apply to any believer?  What point is Paul making in assembling this particular list?

Qualifications for Deacons

Read Acts 6:1-7

What does “waiting on tables” mean?  What other roles of the deacon can we surmise from this passage?

Read I Timothy 3:8-10

3:8	Grave (4586 – semnos; honorable, honest)
	Not double-tongued
	Not addicted to much wine
	Not fond of sordid gain
3:9	Holding to the mystery (e.g. that which has been revealed) of the faith
	With a clear conscience

 Why would there be a need to test these men (ref v10)? What form would that testing take?

Read I Timothy 3:11

3:11	grave
	Not slanderers
	sober
	Faithful in all things

The problem we face with the preceding verse (and other verses, re: Romans 16:1) is twofold.  First the word for deacon is itself ambiguous – it literally means “servant” and could mean one fulfilling an office, or one who serves in any capacity. Likewise, the word used in verse 11 (gune), usually is translated “wife” but could mean any woman. However, the usage probably becomes clearer, in the light of verse 12.

Read I Timothy 3:12-13

3:12	Husbands of one wife
	Ruling their children well

If you take verse 11 to be referring to female deacons, why would you have to specifically call out these qualifications in addition to the ones listed in vv 8-10 (especially the repeated “Grave”)? If it refers to wives, then again, why do you think that these qualities are specifically spelled out?

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