1 Timothy 3:1

1 Timothy 3:1 says, This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.  Paul said that if a person desired to be a bishop, that he desired a good work.  Of course, I believe that a person must be called to be a bishop, or preacher, and not just become one because they want to be one.  

Verse two adds, A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;  Paul then lists some of the qualifications for being a bishop, or preacher, or maybe more specifically a pastor.  We usually focus on the husband of one wife and tend to ignore some of the other listed qualifications, but I don't believe that Paul was doing this.  All are equally important.

Verse three continues, Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;   I believe that we often fail to see that not being greedy for money as a limiting factor.  As a matter of fact, many preachers seem to believe that they should have an abundance of wealth, and too many seem to think that they should be able to move to larger churches and gain more wealth and would be unwilling to serve as pastor of a smaller struggling church where they might have to struggle financially themselves. 

Verse four states, One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;  I believe that this requirement is often overlooked, and I don’t believe that preachers are always going to be able to lead their children to always do what is right, and after they reach a certain age the children become responsible for their own actions, but a preacher must do his best to lead them to be obedient to God.  I believe most preachers with children would quite often fail to meet this requirement.  Still, it is God’s standard for preachers, and they should do their best to fulfill it under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  

Verse five adds, (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)  This is a question that only God can answer.  We know that the answer should be he can’t, but if God has called a man to preach, He can empower him to do so, even if he fails in some of these areas.  

Verse six continues, Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.  A novice would be a new Christian, no matter how old they might be.  If a new Christian was to suddenly be over a congregation, he might tend to become full of self-pride thinking that he was somehow better than other Christians because he had suddenly come to a position that made him better than the average Christian.  Of course, if the new Christan and other Christians were following the leadership of the Holy Spirit, this would never be an issue.  

Verse seven concludes. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.  Paul said that God also expects preachers or pastors to have a good reputation in the community outside the church.  Even if there will always be some people who will speak badly of preachers, it should not be because the preacher did something that would make them look bad in the community.  I also believe that if they do something wrong and repent and take responsibility for it that if God has called them that He will still work through them.  Still, it might be hard for the community to accept them.

1 Timothy 2:9

1 Timothy 2:9 says, In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;  Paul then began to speak to women,  He said that they were to dress modestly and not worry about being adorned with a lot of jewelry or be concerned about the latest hairstyle, I believe we could say.  I believe that this is especially true when we gather to worship God, but it is often not the case.

Verse ten continues, But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.  Paul said instead of being worried about how they looked, women should be adorned with good works, so in this sense, it does not matter how they look as long as they are faithfully doing what God calls them to do.

Verse eleven continues, Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  We could spend a lot of time debating this verse, but I have to go back to God saying in Galatians 3:8 that in Christ, there is no male and female, but that we are all one in Christ. 

Verse twelve states, But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.  If women didn’t teach and fill positions in the church, a lot would never get done.  Of course, they should be called by God to whatever position they may fill, and if they are, they will not be usurping any man. 

Verse thirteen adds, For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  Though Paul is correct and Adam was created first, when Eve was created, she was created out of his rib and was to be his other half, or his completion.   I do believe that God has an order for the family and that the man under the leadership of the Holy Spirit should be the spiritual leader of the home, but that does not mean that a wife is supposed to be subservient to him.  If they are both following God's will in their life, this should never become a problem.

Verse fourteen continues, And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.  Paul said that Adam was not deceived, but that Eve being deceived allowed sin to come into the world.  Still, not even being deceived, Adam willingly went along with Eve in disobeying God, which to me was an even greater sin. 

Verse fifteen concludes, Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.  Paul said that women would be saved by giving birth, and this does continue God’s creation of men and women to exist forever, but it really has nothing to do with a woman being saved.  If giving birth is the way women are saved, those who cannot have children could never be saved.