1 Timothy 3:14-15

‘These things write I to you, hoping to come to you shortly, but if I linger here long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and mainstay of the truth.’

‘These things I am writing to you --.’ This has in mind and refers back to, ‘This charge I commit to you --. (1 Timothy 1:18). He wants Timothy to be aware of what he has been telling him even if he is delayed from coming to see him, (although he hopes to see him shortly), so that as a result of it he will know how men ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and mainstay of the truth, in the light of the revelation of what Christ has accomplished.

‘The household of God’ (see Ephesians 2:19) is ‘the dwellingplace of God through the Spirit’ (Ephesians 2:22), the people of God. It is the church of the living God composed of all believers everywhere. And it is the pillar and mainstay of the truth, that is it supports and upholds it. And what is that truth? It is depicted in 1 Timothy 3:16. It is what the risen Christ has accomplished on behalf of His people.

‘Which is the church of the living God.’ Oh, listen Timothy. We are talking about the living God. And the church is His assembly, His people, through which this living God will act. And as the pillar and mainstay of the truth it must allow Him to do so, for He has no other plan. For the use of stulon (pillar) compare Galatians 2:9. Hedraiowma probably means ‘mainstay’, indicating something which is ‘firm and steadfast’ and is a word found only here.