Daily Devotions
1 Timothy
"One who rules his own house well..."
Text: 1 Timothy 3:4
THE INSTRUCTION CONTINUES
The apostle Paul went on to teach Timothy what he should look for when he contemplates appointing someone for the ministry of a bishop.
“One who rules his own house well,
having his children in submission with all reverence.
(for if a man does not know how to rule his own house,
how will he take care of the church of God?)”1 Timothy 3:4-5
1. Focus on character
a) Timothy was taught how to assess the character of a would-be bishop.
b) This is an important and valid focus.
2. Focus on the running of the household
a) This too is a good and important focus.
b) The household of the would-be bishop must be examined.
i) Does he run his household well?
ii) Do his children have a good relationship with the head of the family?
iii) Is he able to command the respect and attention of his children?
iv) Do they submit to their father with a sense of reverence?
3. Two possible answers
a) The would-be bishop is proven worthy.
i) He has a solid character.
ii) He runs his household well.
b) The would-be bishop fails.
i) He does not possess the qualities of a good spiritual leader.
ii) He does not know how to rule his own household.
iii) His children are not in submission to his role as the head of the family.