The Strand Study Bible

I TIMOTHY Written From Macedonia During Paul’s Release From House Arrest In Rome NOTE - Because a woman can be more easily deceived within the spiritual realm ( Gen 3:1 a and I Pet 3:7 b ), women are admonished not to assume leadership roles within the Church ( Acts 9:36 ). 2:14 It is important to note that the serpent “tempted” Eve, and then Eve tempted Adam. Therefore, although “theologically” Adam sinned first (Rom 5:12), “chronologically” Eve sinned first ( was in the transgression ). That Eve sinned there is no doubt. Yet Eve was not held responsible for the fall of mankind. Adam was, for the seed is in the sire. Thus, the soul comes, not from the one who conceives, but from the one who begets. Had Adam not taken the forbidden fruit from Eve, the human race could have continued, for God could have derived another woman from Adam’s side. Eve would have perished, but not the human race, for in Adam is the potentiality of all women as well as men. Like Adam (Gen 3:12), men love to point the finger at the woman and blame her for the fall. Yet God holds man responsible, not women. To the contrary, God connects the woman with salvation, not damnation. God reminded Adam in Genesis 3:15: 2024 The seed of the woman ( CHRIST ), which was implanted within the Virgin Mary, shall bruise the Serpent’s head, not the seed of man. If a man had been Christ’s father, Christ would have been under the same condemnation as all men. Again, the soul comes, not from the one who conceives, but from the one who begets. 2:15 The original Greek reads “ through the childbearing ” (by means of the birth of the CHRIST child; the INCARNATION ” - Gen 3:15, Jere 31:22, Mic 5:3 and Gal 4:4). In other words, by means of the INCARNATION any woman who believes in CHRIST can be saved. 3:1 This “ desire ” is not a selfish desire of the flesh, but a sincere desire for the ministry planted in one’s heart by God (I Cor 9:16). 3:2 God holds those He calls to a higher standard. The requirements ( must be ) of a pastor (bishop; overseer; elder - Titus 1:5-9) are as follows. He must be: 1. blameless (vs 2 and Titus 1:5-7) – This word ( blameless ) is the Greek word D νεπ L λ K πτο Q ( anepilepton ) and means “ above reproach; irreproachable; not open to censure or scandal .” According to Proverbs 6:32-35, if a man commits adultery, he is no longer blameless. Thus, men who lead pastorally and fail morally disqualify themselves and should not be the lead pastor, seeing they are no longer blameless. 2. the husband of one wife (vs 2 and Titus 1:5-6) – The original Greek reads “ a one-woman man .” Both pastors and deacons (vs. 12) are to be the husbands of one wife; not having given a bill of divorce to one, and then marrying another. According to the Old Testament, multiple marriages were allowed, though never a part of God’s original plan ( I Sam 1:2 ). In the New Testament polygamy was absolutely forbidden (Mt 19:3-9, I Cor 7:2, I Tim 5:9 and Rom 7:1-3), especially in the case of pastors and deacons (I Tim 3:2,12 and Titus 1:6). This meant that a pastor could only be married once, unless of course his wife died. Then he was free to marry again (I Cor 7:39). NOTE - This passage does not exclude single men from pastoring. The issue Paul is addressing here is divorce, not singleness. 3. male (vs 1) – The lead pastor ( I Tim 3:5a ) should be a man. 4. vigilant (vs 2) – This word ( vigilant ) comes from the Greek word σ ω \ ρων ( sophron ) and means “ to be sober-minded; discreet; prudent; of sound mind .” A pastor who is not “self-controlled” should not pastor. 5. sober (vs 2 and Titus 1:8) –This word ( sober ) comes from the Greek word ν K\ ω ( nepho ) and means “ to be temperate; free from the influence of intoxicants .” A pastor who is not “spiritually awake” should not pastor. 6. of good behaviour (vs 2) – This word ( of good behavior ) comes from the Greek word κ οσPL ο X ς ( kosmios ) and means “ orderly; modest; Divinely arranged .” A pastor who fails to “arrange” his behavior in a godly manner should not pastor. 7. hospitality (vs 2 and Titus 1:8) – A pastor who has a difficult time being “hospitable” should not pastor. 8. apt to teach (vs 2) – A pastor who can’t “teach” should not pastor (II Tim 2:24). 9. not given to wine (vs 3 and Titus 1:7) – Just as the priests (OT ministers of God) were not allowed to drink wine when they went in to minister unto God (lest they get drunk and pervert the law - Lev 10:8-9), so pastors (NT ministers of God) are to avoid it altogether (I Thess 5:22). 10. no striker (vs 3 and Titus 1:7) – A pastor who is quick to “duke it out” should not pastor. 11. not greedy of filthy lucre (vs 3 and Titus 1:7) – A pastor who loves “money” should not pastor. 14. not covetous (vs 3) – Just as OT ministers of God (the Levites) had no inheritance in the land (God being their inheritance - Num 18:20 and Deut 18:1-2), so NT ministers of God (pastors) must set their minds on things above, becoming dead to the wealth of this world. 15. ruleth well his own house (vs 4 and Titus 1:5-6) – A pastor who fails to “control” ( ruleth well his own house ) his home should not pastor (I Sam 2:12-17,22-25,29 & 3:13 and Titus 1:6). 16. not a novice (vs 6) – A “brand new believer” who wants to pastor should not be allowed to pastor. 17. a good report of them which are without (vs 7) – A pastor who fails to “control his testimony” should not pastor. 18. not self-willed (Titus 1:7) – This word ( self-willed ) comes from the Greek word DXθD δ K9 ( authades ) and means “ to be dominated by self-interest; to please self .” A pastor who is out to “please himself” should not pastor. 19. not soon angry (Titus 1:7) – This word ( soon angry ) comes from the Greek word οργη ( orge ) and means “ to arouse to anger; touchy; snappish .” A pastor who is “quick-tempered to the point of being vengeful” should not pastor. 20. a lover of good men (Titus 1:8) – This word ( a lover of good men ) comes from the Greek word \L λ D γ Dθο ς ( philagathos ) and 12. patient (vs 3) – A pastor who is “impatient” with people should not pastor. 13. not a brawler (vs 3) – A pastor who is “argumentative” should not pastor. And I will put enmity between thee (Satan) and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed ( CHRIST ) ; it ( CHRIST ) shall bruise thy (Satan) head, and thou (Satan) shalt bruise his ( CHRIST ) heel.