1 Timothy 3:14-15

Introduction:

1. This image shows the church in an even more intimate relationship with God than the “people of God” from the previous lesson.

2. In this lesson, we consider various images in Scripture used to describe the church as God’s dwelling place and those who dwell with Him.

Discussion:

I. Defining Our Term

A. Greek oikos: a house or dwelling place (Mt.9:6-7; Mk. 2:1); a household or family (Luke 1:27, 69; 2:4; 11:17; 1 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 3:6).

B. The term may describe the dwelling place or the dwellers therein.

II. The House of God

A. In the OT, the temple was called the house of God, especially in 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah.

B. The term temple in both testaments meant the dwelling place of a deity (Mounce, Thayer, BDB, et. al.).

C. Paul applies the temple language to the church corporately (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:19-22) and Christians individually (1 Corinthians 6:19).

D. Being the dwelling place of God demands careful conduct:

1. The construction of God’s house is ongoing, and we must build it properly (Ephesians 2:21-22; 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-17; 1 Peter 2:4-5).

2. God’s house must be kept pure (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1).

3. We accomplish this as we keep the word of the Lord (John 14:23) or as John put it later, walk in His light (1 John 1:7).

III. The Household of God

A. Paul draws the imagery in even closer with familial language.

B. Household (Ephesians 2:19; 1 Timothy 3:15) implies kinship, family.

1. God is the Father over His house, which we are (Hebrews 3:2-6).

2. Christ is the Son of God (John 3:16; Matthew 16:16; Luke 1:35; Romans 1:4; etc.).

3. Christians are children of God in His household by the adoption Christ brought us (Romans 8:14-15; Galatians 3:26-27; 4:6; 1 John 3:1-3).

4. Faithfulness makes us Christ’s spiritual brethren and joint heirs with Him (Hebrews 2:11, 17; Matthew 12:46-50; Romans 8:16-17, 29; Galatians 3:29).

Conclusion:

1. The closeness God intends with His people is growing clearer and clearer.

2. May we let these images draw our hearts nearer and nearer to Him always.