Monday, 9th November 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文：提摩太前書3:9 「要存清潔的良心，固守真道的奧祕。」
引言
家人們，早安！
我們在教會裡，可能很留意自己的言語和態度；但回到家中，面對最親近的人，是否仍然有同樣的耐心和尊重？在工作和日常生活中，當沒有人看著我們時，我們是否仍然誠實、節制，按著神的心意做事？
有時，我們知道應當怎樣說，卻未必願意照著去做。我們口裡所相信的，與實際的生活，可能仍然有距離。
當時，提摩太留在以弗所，處理錯誤教導所帶來的問題。保羅在第三章教導他，怎樣選立合適的監督和執事。這些人需要持守正確的信仰，也需要有與信仰相稱的生活。
這些資格首先是對教會領袖的要求，同時也讓每一位屬神的家人看見，敬虔的生命應當是怎樣的。當我們讀這段經文時，也需要讓神的話光照自己。
讓我們一起從提摩太前書第三章，學習如何活出裡外一致的生命。
一、在人前人後，都活出同樣的見證
提摩太前書3:2、5、7
「作監督的，必須無可指責，只作一個婦人的丈夫，有節制，自守，端正，樂意接待遠人，善於教導。」
「人若不知道管理自己的家，焉能照管神的教會呢？」
「監督也必須在教外有好名聲，恐怕被人毀謗，落在魔鬼的網羅裡。」
保羅在第1節說，人若羨慕監督的職分，就是羨慕善工。這是一份需要付出和承擔責任的服事，因此，承擔的人必須有合適的生命。
第2至7節把監督的品格、家庭和教外的名聲連在一起。他需要忠於婚姻、有節制、自守、端正、樂意接待人，也需要善於教導。他不能因酒失去控制，不能以暴力待人，也不能爭競、貪財，反而要溫和待人。
「無可指責」並不是從來沒有犯過錯，而是他的生活應當經得起察驗，沒有持續容讓那些使信仰受羞辱的行為。
保羅特別提到家庭，因為家人最清楚我們真實的樣子。我們怎樣處理分歧、承擔責任、對待配偶和教養兒女，都反映我們是否懂得照顧人。若在家中不願意學習愛與負責，又怎樣照管神的教會？
第6節提醒，初入教的不可承擔監督的責任，免得因驕傲而跌倒。熱心需要配合生命的成熟，職分也不能取代生命的成長。
第7節進一步提醒，監督在教外也必須有好名聲。我們在同事、鄰舍和日常來往的人面前，也需要活出可信任的生活。
家人們，我們可以問自己：我在教會裡的溫柔，家人也能感受到嗎？我在人前所說的原則，獨處時是否仍然持守？當親近的人指出我的問題時，我是否願意聆聽和改變？
裡外一致的生命，首先表現在不同場合中，我們都願意按著神的話生活。
二、讓心裡所信的，與生活所行的一致
提摩太前書3:8–11
「作執事的，也是如此：必須端莊，不一口兩舌，不好喝酒，不貪不義之財；要存清潔的良心，固守真道的奧祕。這等人也要先受試驗，若沒有可責之處，然後叫他們作執事。女執事也是如此：必須端莊，不說讒言，有節制，凡事忠心。」
保羅接著談到執事。他把外在的行為，連到內在的信仰與良心。
「真道的奧祕」，是指神已經啟示出來的福音真理。保羅提醒，持守這真理的人，也要存清潔的良心，就是在神面前誠實，願意讓所相信的真理察驗自己的動機和選擇。
當我們明知某件事不合神的心意，卻不斷為自己找理由，內心與信仰就出現了距離。當神的話指出我們的問題，我們願意承認、悔改，並且改變行為，所信與所行才會逐漸一致。
這也解釋了保羅為甚麼提到「不一口兩舌」和「不貪不義之財」。內心是否誠實，會在說話中顯明；是否貪財，會在處理利益時受到考驗。
第11節，和合本譯作「女執事」，也有譯本理解為執事的妻子。雖然對她們的身分有不同理解，經文對品格的要求卻十分清楚：端莊、不說讒言、有節制、凡事忠心。
這也讓我們想到今天的教會。在不少教會中，姊妹人數較多，願意投入禱告、關懷、教導、接待和各樣服事的，也常常有許多姊妹。她們忠心的擺上，是教會寶貴的祝福，值得我們珍惜、支持和裝備。
按和合本「女執事」的理解，這節讓我們看見，姊妹承擔的服事同樣受到重視，也同樣需要有成熟的品格。教會需要認真培育她們，使她們在真理和生命上繼續成長。
同時，弟兄也需要省察自己，是否願意主動承擔，與姊妹一同建立神的家。每一位家人都應當按著神所賜的恩賜，忠心回應祂的呼召。
無論男女，服事的熱心都需要有成熟的生命來承托。我們說話是否謹慎，處事是否有節制，受託的事情是否忠心完成，都與教會的健康息息相關。
因此，保羅說要「先受試驗」。人的忠心，需要在實際生活中被察驗。第12節再次提到婚姻與家庭；第13節則鼓勵那些善於服事的人，他們會得著美好的地步，並在基督耶穌裡的信仰上更有膽量。
家人們，我們可以問自己：我心裡是否有一些明知不對，卻一直不願意處理的事情？我所說的話，是否出於誠實的心？我是否珍惜和支持一同服事的弟兄姊妹？面對神家的需要，我是否願意忠心承擔？
裡外一致，需要我們讓真理進入內心，也讓內心對神的回應，成為具體的行動。
三、讓所宣認的基督，在生命中得到見證
提摩太前書3:15–16
「倘若我耽延日久，你也可以知道在神的家中當怎樣行。這家就是永生神的教會，真理的柱石和根基。」
「大哉，敬虔的奧祕！無人不以為然：就是神在肉身顯現，被聖靈稱義（或譯：在靈性稱義），被天使看見，被傳於外邦，被世人信服，被接在榮耀裡。」
到了第14至15節，保羅說明寫信的目的。他盼望快到提摩太那裡，但若行程耽延，提摩太也可以藉著這些教導，知道在神的家中應當怎樣行。
前面對生命的要求，與教會的身分緊緊相連：這家是永生神的教會。
教會屬於神。因此，承擔任何職分的人，都需要先接受神的管理，按著祂的心意照顧祂的家。
教會也是「真理的柱石和根基」，受託持守、支持和宣揚真理。當我們所活的，與所傳的彼此一致，就能忠實地見證福音；若長期容讓與真理相反的生活，就會傷害教會的見證。
第16節把我們帶回所宣認的中心——耶穌基督。這節經文宣告基督在肉身顯現、被聖靈證實為義、被天使看見、被傳於外邦、被世人信服，以及被接在榮耀裡。
這裡首先講的是基督的顯現與救恩。敬虔生命的根基，就在這位真實降世、成就救恩、如今在榮耀裡的主身上。
我們因信屬於祂，也需要繼續接受祂的更新。我們從聖經認識祂，在禱告中倚靠祂，並在日常生活中實行祂的話。當祂的真理塑造我們的思想、言語和行為，人就能從我們的生活中，看見福音所帶來的改變。
家人們，我們可以問自己：我口裡所宣認的主，是否也在管理我的日常生活？我服事時，是否願意放下自己的堅持，接受祂的引導？別人與我相處時，是否能看見基督正在改變我的生命？
裡外一致的生命，根基在於我們與基督的關係，目的在於讓祂得著榮耀，使祂的教會忠實地見證真理。
總結
家人們，提摩太前書第三章帶領我們，從不同場合的生活，進入內心與信仰的關係，最後回到我們所宣認的基督。
在人前人後，我們都需要有一致的見證；在內心與行為之間，我們需要讓所信的成為所行的；在神的家中，我們需要接受基督的管理，使所傳的福音在生活中得到見證。
無論弟兄或姊妹，神都看重我們的生命。我們需要彼此珍惜、彼此支持，也需要各自回應神，在所託付的責任上忠心。
今天，讓我們把神的話放在自己面前。若有隱藏的罪，就誠實承認；若有傷害人的言語，就願意道歉和改正；若有失去忠心的地方，就重新承擔責任。
願我們存清潔的良心，持守所信的真理，在教會、在家中、在外面，也在獨處時，都願意讓主掌管，活出清潔、分別為聖、裡外一致的生命，使人從我們身上看見福音的真實。
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 3:9 (NKJV)
“Holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.”
Introduction
Good morning, church family!
At church, we may pay careful attention to our words and attitudes. But when we return home, do we show the same patience and respect to those closest to us? At work and in daily life, when no one is watching, do we remain honest, exercise self-control, and act according to God’s will?
Sometimes we know what we should say, yet struggle to put it into practice. There may still be a gap between the faith we profess and the life we live.
Timothy was serving in Ephesus, dealing with problems caused by false teaching. In chapter 3, Paul instructed him about choosing suitable overseers and deacons. These people needed to hold firmly to the truth and live in a way that reflected their faith.
These qualifications were first addressed to church leaders, but they also help every member of God’s family understand what a godly life looks like. As we read this passage, we need to allow God’s Word to examine our own lives.
Let us learn together from 1 Timothy 3 how to live a life of integrity, with our inward faith and outward conduct in agreement.
- Live Consistently, in Public and in Private
1 Timothy 3:2, 5, 7 (NKJV)
“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach.”
“For if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?”
“Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”
Paul begins by saying that anyone who desires the position of a bishop desires a good work. This responsibility requires commitment and service, so those who undertake it need the character to support their calling.
In verses 2–7, Paul brings together personal character, family life, and reputation outside the church. An overseer must be faithful in marriage, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach. He must be gentle, free from drunkenness, violence, quarrelling, and the love of money.
Being blameless does not mean never having made a mistake. It means living a life that can withstand examination, without continuing to tolerate behaviour that brings disgrace upon the faith.
Paul gives particular attention to the home because our families know us closely. How we handle disagreements, fulfil our responsibilities, treat our spouses, and raise our children reveals whether we know how to care for others. If we are unwilling to learn love and responsibility at home, how can we care for God’s church?
Verse 6 warns against appointing a recent convert, who may become proud and fall. Enthusiasm needs spiritual maturity, and a position cannot replace growth in character.
Verse 7 adds that an overseer must have a good testimony outside the church. Our colleagues, neighbours, and others who deal with us should also find us trustworthy.
Church family, let us ask ourselves: Does my family experience the gentleness I show at church? Do I uphold the same principles when I am alone? When those close to me point out a problem, am I willing to listen and change?
A life of integrity begins with a willingness to live according to God’s Word wherever we are.
- Bring What We Believe into Agreement with How We Live
1 Timothy 3:8–11 (NKJV)
“Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.”
Paul next turns to deacons. He connects outward behaviour with inward faith and conscience.
The “mystery of the faith” refers to the gospel truth that God has revealed. Those who hold to this truth must also have a pure conscience. They need to be honest before God, allowing the truth they believe to examine their motives and choices.
When we know something is contrary to God’s will but keep making excuses for it, a gap develops between our hearts and our faith. As God’s Word exposes our problems, we need to acknowledge them, repent, and change our behaviour. In this way, our beliefs and actions increasingly come into agreement.
This helps us understand Paul’s warnings about being double-tongued and greedy for money. The truthfulness of our hearts becomes evident in our words, and greed is exposed in the way we handle personal interests.
In verse 11, the NKJV translates the women mentioned here as “their wives.” Some other translations and interpreters understand them as women deacons. Although their precise identity is understood differently, the character requirements are clear: reverence, careful speech, self-control, and faithfulness.
This also speaks to church life today. In many congregations, sisters make up a large part of the church family and faithfully serve in prayer, pastoral care, teaching, hospitality, and many other ministries. Their commitment is a precious blessing that deserves appreciation, support, and equipping.
Under the understanding that verse 11 refers to women deacons, this passage recognises their service and calls them to mature character. In either interpretation, the women mentioned are held to serious standards of godliness. Churches should take the spiritual growth of sisters seriously, helping them grow in biblical truth and faithful service.
At the same time, brothers need to examine whether they are willing to take initiative and share responsibility in building God’s household. Every member should respond faithfully to God’s calling according to the gifts He has given.
Whether men or women, our enthusiasm for ministry needs to be supported by mature character. How carefully we speak, how we exercise self-control, and how faithfully we complete what has been entrusted to us all affect the health of the church.
This is why Paul says that deacons must first be tested. Faithfulness needs to be demonstrated in everyday life. Verse 12 returns to marriage and family responsibilities, while verse 13 encourages those who serve well: they gain a good standing and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Church family, let us ask ourselves: Is there something I know is wrong but have been unwilling to address? Do my words come from an honest heart? Do I appreciate and support the brothers and sisters serving alongside me? Am I willing to take responsibility for the needs of God’s household?
Integrity grows as we allow truth to enter our hearts and turn our response to God into practical action.
- Let Our Lives Bear Witness to the Christ We Profess
1 Timothy 3:15–16 (NKJV)
“But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.”
In verses 14–15, Paul explains why he is writing. He hopes to visit Timothy soon, but if he is delayed, these instructions will help Timothy know how people should live in God’s household.
The earlier requirements for character are closely connected to the church’s identity: this household is the church of the living God.
The church belongs to God. Anyone entrusted with responsibility must first submit to His rule and care for His household according to His will.
The church is also the pillar and ground of the truth, entrusted with upholding and proclaiming it. When our lives agree with our message, we faithfully bear witness to the gospel. When we continue to tolerate conduct that contradicts the truth, we damage the church’s witness.
Verse 16 brings us back to the centre of our confession—Jesus Christ. It declares His manifestation in the flesh, His vindication in the Spirit, His being seen by angels, His proclamation among the Gentiles, His reception in faith throughout the world, and His being received up in glory.
This verse speaks first of Christ Himself and His saving work. Our foundation for godly living is this Lord who truly came into the world, accomplished salvation, and is now in glory.
We belong to Him through faith and need His continuing work of renewal. We learn to know Him through Scripture, depend on Him in prayer, and practise His Word in daily life. As His truth shapes our thoughts, words, and actions, others can see the change the gospel brings.
Church family, let us ask ourselves: Does the Lord I profess also govern my daily life? In serving Him, am I willing to surrender my insistence on having my own way and receive His guidance? Can others see that Christ is changing me?
A life of integrity is rooted in our relationship with Christ. Its purpose is to glorify Him and help His church faithfully bear witness to the truth.
Conclusion
Church family, 1 Timothy 3 leads us from our conduct in different settings, into the relationship between our hearts and our faith, and finally back to the Christ we profess.
In public and in private, we need a consistent witness. In our hearts and actions, we need to practise what we believe. In God’s household, we need to submit to Christ so that the gospel we proclaim is reflected in the lives we live.
God values the lives of both brothers and sisters. We need to appreciate and support one another while responding personally to Him and faithfully fulfilling the responsibilities He entrusts to us.
Today, let us bring our lives before God’s Word. If there is hidden sin, let us confess it honestly. If our words have hurt someone, let us apologise and change. If we have neglected our responsibilities, let us take them up again faithfully.
May we hold firmly to the truth with a pure conscience. At church, at home, in the wider world, and when we are alone, may we allow the Lord to govern our lives. May we live in holiness and integrity, so that others can see the reality of the gospel through us.
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