Answer: Paul’s first letter to Timothy is mainly directions for the ordering of the assembly. He was delegated by the apostle to appoint the necessary elders and deacons. The above verses are part of his instructions.
Verse 23 is a parenthesis given on account of his carefulness of habits, while his physical condition needed more than water.
Verse 22. He is told to lay hands suddenly on no man, lest he should identify himself with another man’s sins. He was to keep himself pure.
Verse 24. Some men’s sins could be seen at once, and so could be condemned or judged, while others were more hidden, but come out in the end, and they cannot escape the eye of God. It was the same with good works; with some they are all seen on the surface, while others leave it to somebody else to tell. Timothy was thus taught not to be hasty in receiving or appointing any.
This is practical for us also, to keep from haste in receiving with open arms those we do not know except on their own testimony, and so prevent us from bringing trouble on ourselves, or into the gathering to the name of the Lord Jesus.
Question: What is the house of God?
Answer: The house of God with Israel was first the tabernacle in the wilderness, and then the temple in the land, built at Jerusalem. Since then no building or meeting place is called in Scripture, the house of God. It is now composed of people (Eph. 2:2222In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22)).
It was when Christ was glorified, and the Holy Spirit was sent down as promised (John 7:39; 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:7,1339(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:39)
16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:16‑17)
26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (John 15:26)
7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7)
13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. (John 16:13)), that this came to pass at Pentecost (Acts 2:1, 331And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (Acts 2:1)
33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. (Acts 2:33)). From this on, each believer was sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:1313In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)), and all believers are thus baptized into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:2727Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. (1 Corinthians 12:27)), and are thus members of the body of Christ, and members one of another (Rom. 12:4-54For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (Romans 12:4‑5)). This is the only membership Scripture knows for believers, and is called the church, which is His body (Eph. 1:22-2322And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:22‑23)).
The one hundred and twenty gathered in the upper room at Jerusalem became this house when the Holy Spirit came down and filled the house where they were sitting. In this aspect of the church, men are its caretakers. They are responsible for its building and order, as we see in Paul and others (1 Cor. 3:1010According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. (1 Corinthians 3:10)). They built it by their teachings, and baptism done in the name of the Lord, and as we go into its history we find, what always happens with anything committed to men, failure comes in and wrong material is introduced; wood, hay, stubble, is built in as well as gold, silver, precious stones. The foundation is right, but the builders have gone wrong (1 Cor. 3:11,12-1711For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11)
12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (1 Corinthians 3:12‑17)). We find its ruined condition spoken of in 2 Timothy; 2 Peter; Jude; 2 Thessalonians; Revelation 2-3. And such parables in Mathew., as “the tares,” “the man without the wedding garment,” and “the five foolish virgins,” illustrated its mixture. Then judgment will fall upon the rest after the Lord has come and taken all who were truly converted, out of it. What is left behind will be Babylon (Rev. 17), and to this state it is fast hastening (Rev. 18:44And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (Revelation 18:4)).
At the present time 2 Timothy 2 Compares it to “a great house,” a mixture of good and bad, and in great confusion. The believer is called to walk in a clean path (vs. 21), and to follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those who call on the Lord sincerely (vs. 22) and is thus meet for the master’s use.
Though the church, the house of God, has fallen into such ruin, God has not forsaken it. He still dwells down here (Eph. 2:2222In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22)), and all the privileges of it remain for faith to use and enjoy.
Two or three can have the presence of Christ in their midst, if they are truly gathered to His name (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)). We still have the Word of God for our upbuilding, comfort, and guidance; and the Holy Spirit ever delights to teach us, and to unfold to us, the deep things of God (1 Cor. 2:10,1210But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10)
12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (1 Corinthians 2:12).). We cannot set up the church anew, but we can walk in obedience to God’s Word.