Study Guide

The Pillar & Buttress of Truth

1 Timothy 3:14-16

Read the Text: 1 Timothy 3:14-16

According to this passage, the church is not optional. Rather, the church is the center of God’s work in the world today.

1. We are God’s Family & Do His Work

• Greek, Oikos – both family members & economic center.

• God’s family members – reconciled through Christ.

• God’s business– proclamation, baptism, the supper, discipleship.

2. We Uphold God’s Truth in the World

• Buttress – lit. foundation.
• Pillar – column, that which holds the structure up so it can be seen.

Paul is saying that the ministry and preaching of the truth in robust worshipping communities provides a kind of architectural structure for the foundation and display of truth in the world.

This is why Elders are critical:

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:9)

The church, led by qualified Elders, answer for the world, life’s biggest questions.

3. We Proclaim God’s Salvation in Christ

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

He was manifested in the flesh,

vindicated by the Spirit,

seen by angels,

proclaimed among the nations,

believed on in the world,

taken up in glory.

• 16 – shift to third person “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness…”

• This is an early hymn.

• Summary of Christ’s entire life.

We proclaim his humiliation, that he came in the flesh, obeyed God’s law perfectly, died as a substitute for sinners, bearing God’s just wrath against sin, was raised three days later (vindicated) and who is proclaimed throughout the world even as he rules and reigns in glory.

And here is the gospel call: believe in Christ. Come to Christ, and rest in Christ.