1 Timothy 3:15

in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — Paul writes to Timothy, his young charge in Ephesus, from a distance he cannot close on a fixed date. He is leaving a written rule for the community's conduct in his absence.

The words — βραδύνω (bradunō), "I shall delay," is a rare verb appearing only here in the New Testament; its choice marks the uncertainty as a real constraint, not a polite hedge.

The thread — The "household of God" and building language echoes 1 Peter 2:5 (a spiritual house, a holy priesthood) and Ephesians 2:21 (a holy temple fitted together in the Lord).

Why it lands — It gives a community a testable standard: conduct is not optional or private but a matter of how one behaves inside a defined structure. The reader is asked to measure their actions against that structure, not against their own preference.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Cross-references

1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:21 In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
1 Kings 2:4 and so that the LORD may fulfill His promise to me: ‘If your descendants take heed to walk faithfully before Me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’
1 Chronicles 22:13 Then you will succeed, if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
Matthew 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God
1 Samuel 17:26 David asked the men who were standing with him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
1 Chronicles 28:9 As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.