1 Timothy 3:15 “in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct…”

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

Other translations

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.

World English Bible

but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in God’s house, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

American Standard Version

but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Geneva Bible 1599

But if I tary long, that thou maist yet know, how thou oughtest to behaue thy self in ye house of God, which is the Church of the liuing God, the pillar and ground of trueth.

Darby Translation

but if I delay, in order that thou mayest know how one ought to conduct oneself in God's house, which is [the] assembly of [the] living God, [the] pillar and base of the truth.

Young's Literal Translation

and if I delay, that thou mayest know how it behoveth [thee] to conduct thyself in the house of God, which is an assembly of the living God — a pillar and foundation of the truth,

Bible in Basic English

But if I am long in coming, this will make clear to you what behaviour is right for men in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and base of what is true.

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Cross references

“know”

1 Kings 2:4 1 Chronicles 22:13 1 Chronicles 28:9–21 Deuteronomy 31:23 1 Kings 2:2 Acts 1:2

1 Kings 2:4 · BSB

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 · BSB

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.

1 Chronicles 28:9–21 · BSB

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 fou…

Deuteronomy 31:23 · BSB

Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land that I swore to give them, and I will be with you.”

1 Kings 2:2 · BSB

“I am about to go the way of all the earth. So be strong and prove yourself a man.

Acts 1:2 · BSB

until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen.

“the house”

1 Peter 2:5 2 Timothy 2:20 Hebrews 3:2–6 Ephesians 2:21 Ephesians 2:22

1 Peter 2:5 · BSB

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.

2 Timothy 2:20 · BSB

A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use.

Hebrews 3:2–6 · BSB

He was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house.

Ephesians 2:21 · BSB

In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

Ephesians 2:22 · BSB

And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit.

“the living”

1 Thessalonians 1:9 1 Samuel 17:26 Matthew 16:16 1 Timothy 6:16 Deuteronomy 5:26 Joshua 3:10

1 Thessalonians 1:9 · BSB

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 · BSB

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…

Matthew 16:16 · BSB

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

1 Timothy 6:16 · BSB

He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

Deuteronomy 5:26 · BSB

For who of all flesh has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the fire, as we have, and survived?

Joshua 3:10 · BSB

He continued, “This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that He will surely drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites.

“the pillar”

Romans 3:2 Galatians 2:9 Matthew 18:18 Jeremiah 1:18 Matthew 16:18 Matthew 16:19

Romans 3:2 · BSB

Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.

Galatians 2:9 · BSB

And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.

Matthew 18:18 · BSB

Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Jeremiah 1:18 · BSB

Now behold, this day I have made you like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land.

Matthew 16:18 · BSB

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.

Matthew 16:19 · BSB

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

“the truth”

John 14:6 1 Timothy 3:16 John 1:17 Galatians 3:1 Ephesians 4:21 Colossians 1:5

John 14:6 · BSB

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

1 Timothy 3:16 · BSB

By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in…

John 1:17 · BSB

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Galatians 3:1 · BSB

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.

Ephesians 4:21 · BSB

Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him—in keeping with the truth that is in Jesus—

Colossians 1:5 · BSB

the faith and love proceeding from the hope stored up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel

Also

1 Timothy 3:5

1 Timothy 3:5 · BSB

For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

14Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things

16By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.

Read 1 Timothy 3