1 Timothy 3:15

“But if I tarry long, etc.] Or should long delay coming, defer it longer than may be expected; let it be observed that these things are written, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God; that is, the church of God, as it is afterwards explained; called a house, in allusion either to an edifice, it being a spiritual house built of lively stories, or true believers, upon the foundation Jesus Christ, and who also is the door into it; the pillars of it are the ministers of the Gospel; and the windows are the ordinances, and which also are the entertainment in it: or else to a family, as this is sometimes called the household of God, and of faith; the family…”

“But if I tarry long--before coming to thee. that--that is, I write (Ti1 3:14) "that thou mayest know," &c. behave thyself--in directing the Church at Ephesus (Ti1 4:11). the house of God--the Church (Heb 3:2, Heb 3:5-6; Heb 10:21; Pe1 4:17; Co1 3:16, "the temple of God"; Eph 2:22). which is--that is, inasmuch as it is. the church--"the congregation." The fact that the sphere of thy functions is "the congregation of the living God" (who is the ever living Master of the house, Ti2 2:19-21), is the strongest motive to faithfulness in this behavior as president of a department of the house." The living God forms a striking contrast to the lifeless idol, Diana of Ephesus (Th1 1:9). He is the…”

“But if I tarry long - Paul appears to have been uncertain how long circumstances would require him to be absent. He expected to return, but it was possible that his hope of returning soon would be disappointed. That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself - That is, that he might have just views about settling the affairs of the church. In the house of God - This does not mean in a place of public worship, nor does it refer to propriety of deportment there. It refers rather to the church as a body of believers, and to converse with them. The church is called the “house of God,” because it is that in which he dwells. Formerly, his unique residence was in the temple at Jerusalem;…”

“That thou mayest know how to behave - This is the scope of the epistle. In the house of God - Who is the master of the family. Which is - As if he had said, By the house of God, I mean the church. 1 Timothy 3:16”

“3:15 household of God: The earliest churches were house churches (Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 16:19; Col 4:15; Phlm 1:2) that reflected the codes of conduct of Greco-Roman households (see study note on 1 Tim 3:4-5). Violating these norms brought disrepute, disgrace, and shame on the entire household and its head. The same is true for the church (cp. Eph 2:19-22; Heb 3:6; 10:21; 1 Pet 4:17). • the church . . . is the pillar and foundation of the truth: This idea may anticipate the transition from the time of the apostles to the period after their deaths (cp. Gal 2:9; Rev 3:12). The church must be active rather than defensive in upholding the truth in the world (cp. 2 Cor 10:3-6).”

“know: Ti1 3:2; Deu 31:23; Kg1 2:2, Kg1 2:4; Ch1 22:13, Ch1 28:9-21; Act 1:2 the house: Eph 2:21, Eph 2:22; Ti2 2:20; Heb 3:2-6; Pe1 2:5 the church: Ti1 3:5 the living: Ti1 4:10, Ti1 6:16; Deu 5:26; Jos 3:10; Sa1 17:26, Sa1 17:36; Kg2 19:4; Psa 42:2, Psa 84:2; Jer 10:10, Jer 23:36; Dan 6:26; Hos 1:10; Mat 16:16; Joh 6:69; Act 14:15; Rom 9:26; Co2 3:3, Co2 6:16; Th1 1:9; Heb 3:12, Heb 9:14, Heb 12:22; Rev 7:2 the pillar: Jer 1:18; Mat 16:18, Mat 16:19, Mat 18:18; Rom 3:2; Gal 2:9 ground: or, stay the truth: Ti1 3:16; Joh 1:17, Joh 14:6, Joh 18:37; Co2 6:7; Gal 3:1; Eph 4:21; Col 1:5 1 Timothy 3:16”