These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
Paul wrote these instructions to Timothy while expecting to visit him soon. The writing was given so that, if his coming was delayed, Timothy would still know how he ought to conduct himself. That conduct concerns God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. What was written is to be studied and brought into daily life, including tender loyalty to one's wife, ruling one's own house well with children in subjection, and meeting the blameless qualifications required of an overseer. The instruction closes with the mystery of godliness, of God revealed in human flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, observed by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, and taken up in glory.
In the setting of chapter 3 verses 10 through 16, the passage guides how to deal with unreasonable and wicked people. Believers are not to lower themselves to that level by using hostile methods and strong personal feeling, but are to work with Christlike simplicity, patience, forbearance, and love. They are to persuade rather than condemn, keeping Jesus lifted up, using spiritual means, exalting God's law, and showing love for souls for whom Christ died.
Paul wrote these instructions to Timothy while expecting to visit him soon. The writing was given so that, if his coming was delayed, Timothy would still know how he ought to conduct himself. That conduct concerns God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. What was written is to be studied and brought into daily life, including tender loyalty to one's wife, ruling one's own house well with children in subjection, and meeting the blameless qualifications required of an overseer. The instruction closes with the mystery of godliness, of God revealed in human flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, observed by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, and taken up in glory.
In the setting of chapter 3 verses 10 through 16, the passage guides how to deal with unreasonable and wicked people. Believers are not to lower themselves to that level by using hostile methods and strong personal feeling, but are to work with Christlike simplicity, patience, forbearance, and love. They are to persuade rather than condemn, keeping Jesus lifted up, using spiritual means, exalting God's law, and showing love for souls for whom Christ died.