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 Is
the church the "mother of truth" who alone has the right
to set forth truth? Catholicism uses 1 Tim. 3:15 in drawing such a
conclusion. This, in turn, leads to their claim of infallibility.
We should give greater attention to this important scripture.
"These
things write I..." tie but do not limit following statements
to instructions re. bishops, etc. "How...to behave"
elsewhere translated "conversation'' or "live"
(Eph. 2:3, 2 Cor. 1:12, Heb. 13:18), refers here to the manner of
life prescribed by truth. "In the house of God" is not
telling us how to act in the church building, nor in assembly
only, but how to live at all times as God's people.
"Church" is not here limited to local organization, nor
does this refer to a universal "body politic." We will
best grasp the overall significance of the instructions by
considering "church" as the called-out people of God.
People
of God are (stulos kai hedraioma) pillar and ground (stay) of the
truth. "Pillar" (Rev. 10:1; 3:12, Gal. 2:9) is used of
prominent, obvious support of a temple. Some think Paul had in
mind the magnificent pillars of the temple of Diana (at Ephesus,
where Timothy was at this time); but pillared temples were common
in those days, and the metaphor would be understood.
"Ground" is related to a word translated
"steadfast, settled" (1 Cor. 7:37; 15:58, Col. 1:23).
The church (collective term for saints in all aspects) is said to
be "pillar and ground" of truth in some way, and we must
determine that way consistent with all of revealed truth. Far more
is at stake than some may realize.
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John
says "truth" came by Jesus Christ (1:17). Christ said,
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life" (14: 6). He
also prayed, "Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is
truth" (17:17). And Christ called the Holy Spirit who would
deliver truth, the "Spirit of Truth" (16:13). The authority
of divine truth is derived from Christ, not from His followers.
Christ is the foundation of the church (1 Cor. 3:11), which is the
product of truth (Acts 2:41, 47); hence the church cannot
be the foundation of truth. The seed of the kingdom
is the word of God (Lu. 8:11), and God has not
abdicated His law making to His citizens (Jas. 4:12).
But
God's people are those who have gladly received and understood the
truth. These have acknowledged the truth, "confessing Him
before men" and by their life bearing witness to the power of
truth. Jesus prayed for unity among these people "that the
world may believe that thou didst send me" (Jn. 17:21). In
the midst of a crooked and perverse generation the saints are seen
"as lights in the world" (Phil. 2:15-16) "holding
forth the word of life." Someone has said, "the
church gives truth an objective existence." Truth exists,
whether accepted or rejected, but its power and effectiveness is
demonstrated in its product, the church. The very existence of
Jews and Gentiles united in Christ makes known "the manifold
wisdom of God" (Eph. 3:10). And "from you sounded forth
the word of the Lord" (1 Thes. 1:8) as "the Spirit and
the bride say 'Come!'" (Rev. 22:17).
This
is how the church of God is "the pillar and ground of the
truth."
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