Catholic Commentary on 1 Timothy 3

"The church of the living God is the pillar and foundation of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:15)

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

Paul gives the earliest systematic list of qualifications for the overseer, the bishop: above reproach, faithful to his spouse, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money, managing his own household well with proper respect. He must not be a recent convert and must have a good reputation with outsiders. The deacon likewise must be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, not pursuing dishonest gain, holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. The Catechism draws from this passage the foundational criteria for holy orders: the bishop is called to be the image of Christ the Good Shepherd in the community entrusted to him, and the qualities listed here describe what that image requires of the whole person (CCC 1558).

The Pillar of Truth

Paul tells Timothy he is writing so that he will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. The mystery of godliness is great: he appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. This six-line hymn, possibly the earliest creedal statement in the Church, encapsulates the whole Gospel. The Catechism identifies the Church as the pillar and bulwark of truth, the community entrusted with preserving, proclaiming, and living the truth revealed in Christ (CCC 171).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, the Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth. Not any individual Christian, not any particular theologian, not any single diocese or religious community alone. The whole Church, guided by the Spirit through the apostolic succession, is the community that holds and guards the truth. This is why fidelity to the Church's teaching is not intellectual timidity but trust in the promise Christ made to his own body.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you appeared in flesh, were vindicated by the Spirit, and were taken up in glory. You have entrusted your truth to the Church, the pillar and foundation of the truth. Raise up bishops and deacons worthy of the mystery they serve. And let the whole Church be what you made her: the household of the living God. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

3
Qualifications for Overseers
(Titus 1:5–9; 1 Peter 5:1–4)
1 This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife,* 3:2 Or faithful to his wife; also in verse 12 temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.
 
4 An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity. 5 For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
Qualifications for Deacons
(Acts 6:1–7)
 
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money. 9 They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.
 
11 In the same way, the women † 3:11 Or their wives must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.
 
12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household. 13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness
 
14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things 15 in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
 
16 By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great:
 
He appeared ‡ 3:16 Literally He who appeared; BYZ and TR God appeared in the flesh,
was vindicated by the Spirit,§ 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
was seen by angels,
was proclaimed among the nations,
was believed in throughout the world,
was taken up in glory.

*3:2 3:2 Or faithful to his wife; also in verse 12

†3:11 3:11 Or their wives

‡3:16 3:16 Literally He who appeared; BYZ and TR God appeared

§3:16 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit

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