1Ti 3:15 | TNotes | STEP | 3:15 household of God: The earliest churches were house churches (Rom 16:5 ; 1 Cor 16:19 ; Col 4:15 ; Phlm 1:2 ) that reflected the codes of conduct of Greco-Roman households (see study note on 1 Tim 3:4-5). Violating these norms brought disrepute, disgrace, and shame on the entire household and its head. The same is true for the church (cp. Eph 2:19-22 ; Heb 3:6 ; 10:21 ; 1 Pet 4:17 ). • the church ... is the pillar and foundation of the truth: This idea may anticipate the transition from the time of the apostles to the period after their deaths (cp. Gal 2:9 ; Rev 3:12 ). The church must be active rather than defensive in upholding the truth in the world (cp. 2 Cor 10:3-6 ).

a3:15►

bRom 16:5►

c1 Cor 16:19►

dCol 4:15►

ePhlm 1:2►

fEph 2:19-22►

gHeb 3:6►

h10:21►

i1 Pet 4:17►

jGal 2:9►

kRev 3:12►

l2 Cor 10:3-6►

‏ 1 Timothy 3:15

3:15 ^a household of God: The earliest churches were house churches (Rom 16:5 ^b; 1 Cor 16:19 ^c; Col 4:15 ^d; Phlm 1:2 ^e) that reflected the codes of conduct of Greco-Roman households (see study note on 1 Tim 3:4-5). Violating these norms brought disrepute, disgrace, and shame on the entire household and its head. The same is true for the church (cp. Eph 2:19-22 ^f; Heb 3:6 ^g; 10:21 ^h; 1 Pet 4:17 ⁱ).

• the church ... is the pillar and foundation of the truth: This idea may anticipate the transition from the time of the apostles to the period after their deaths (cp. Gal 2:9 ^j; Rev 3:12 ^k). The church must be active rather than defensive in upholding the truth in the world (cp. 2 Cor 10:3-6 ^l).