Paul has been instructing Timothy on proper church order and leadership qualifications. In the preceding verses, he outlines the necessary character traits for overseers and deacons, emphasizing their moral integrity, family management, and spiritual maturity. He explains that deacons who serve well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. Paul stresses these requirements to ensure the church maintains its witness and functions according to God's design. He writes with urgency, knowing that proper leadership directly impacts the church's testimony and effectiveness in proclaiming the truth. Paul is addressing Timothy, his younger co-worker whom he left in Ephesus to oversee the church and combat false teaching.
[14] These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; [15] 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. [16] 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.
The Israelites are in Babylonian exile, having been conquered and removed from their homeland due to their persistent disobedience to God. The nation appears spiritually and politically dead, with the temple destroyed, Jerusalem in ruins, and the people scattered among foreign nations. God has been showing Ezekiel visions and prophecies about both judgment and future restoration. The prophet has already received messages about God's plans to gather His people, cleanse them from their sins, and establish a new covenant with them. The exile has left the Israelites feeling hopeless and cut off from their God and their land, believing their national identity and future are finished.
[1] The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. [2] Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. [3] And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”
[4] Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! [5] Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. [6] I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ”
[7] So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. [8] Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.
[9] Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ” [10] So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
[11] Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ [12] Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. [13] Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. [14] I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’ ”