Did 1st Timothy 3:15 Support the Idea of the Roman Catholic Magisterium and Defeat Sola Scriptura?
Roman Catholics have often used 1 Timothy 3:15 to defend their belief of the need for an "infallible magisterium" and to "refute" Sola Scriptura. Again, what's the use of quoting the Bible or even bragging that the Roman Catholic church gave us the Bible when it doesn't become the final authority in faith and matters. What does it mean that the Church is the pillar and ground of the truth.
1 Timothy 3:15
But if I delay, this letter will let you know how we should conduct ourselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
Again, what is needed is context and to understand what things mean. I'm really amazed at how Roman Catholics (and I used to be one myself) would even ignore the obvious meanings. The Good News Translation (GNT) is even easier to understand than the prized King James Version (KJV). Note that I'm quoting from GNT in this blog because Roman Catholics are so used to it.
What does the verse pillar and ground (or as the GNT calls it the support) of the truth mean? We need to define what the Church is first. The word church comes from the word ekkeslia meaning called out assembly. Who is the head of the Church? Only Jesus and not the Pope.
Colossians 1:17-19
17 Christ existed before all things, and in union with Him all things have their proper place. 18 He is the head of His body, the Church; He is the source of the body's life. He is the first-born Son, who was raised from death, in order that he alone might have the first place in all things. 19 For it was by God's own decision that the Son has in Himself the full nature of God.
Nowhere in the Bible that it's suggested that Peter is a visible head. Rather, Jesus is the Head of the Church! Paul's letter calling Christians to learn how to conduct themselves is because they are part of the Church of living God - the very pillar and support of the truth. It's their job to proclaim the truth and learning to conduct one's self accordingly is badly needed. The pillar rests on immovable ground and that immovable ground is Jesus Christ. The Church's job is to uphold the truth of God.
So why does the Apostle Paul call the Church and not the Scriptures as the pillar and ground of the truth? Well, the Bible is not a pillar but it's actually God's truth made available for man. John 17:17 had Jesus pray to His Father to sanctify them (the disciples) with His truth and that His Word is the truth. Think about it that the Church is the pillar. But what's on top of that pillar? Just think about pillars grounded on an exhibit hall. The Church is the pillar used in the exhibit. Above the pillar is the truth of the Word of God. The Church's responsibility is to be preaching and teaching the Word of God.
Ironically, 1st Timothy 3 also contains these verses which Rome tries to explain away:
3 This is a true saying: If a man is eager to be a church leader, he desires an excellent work. 2 A church leader must be without fault; he must have only one wife, be sober, self-controlled, and orderly; he must welcome strangers in his home; he must be able to teach; 3 he must not be a drunkard or a violent man, but gentle and peaceful; he must not love money; 4 he must be able to manage his own family well and make his children obey him with all respect. 5 For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of the church of God? 6 He must be mature in the faith, so that he will not swell up with pride and be condemned, as the Devil was. 7 He should be a man who is respected by the people outside the church, so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the Devil's trap.
8 Church helpers must also have a good character and be sincere; they must not drink too much wine or be greedy for money; 9 they should hold to the revealed truth of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They should be tested first, and then, if they pass the test, they are to serve. 11 Their wives also must be of good character and must not gossip; they must be sober and honest in everything. 12 A church helper must have only one wife,[c] and be able to manage his children and family well. 13 Those helpers who do their work well win for themselves a good standing and are able to speak boldly about their faith in Christ Jesus.
That's right - God requires that church leaders are to be husbands of one wife and manage their own families well. Ironic how verses are often read out of context because the Magisterium is now "above" the Bible which is just wrong. What the Reformers meant by Sola Scriptura is that Scripture will govern all rules concerning faith and morals. All traditions of the Church comes from the Scripture and not created by the Church. Yes, tradition is part of the Christian life but it must only be based on Scripture as the final authority. The problem with the Roman Catholic tradition is that it's putting it above the Word of God. If a tradition doesn't meet Scriptural grounds then it must be dismissed.
What Roman Catholics need to do is to actually study the Scriptures for themselves. They should actually read the Bible for themselves. They need to study the Bible for themselves. They must take it as their personal homework to read the Bible for themselves. The Bible is the only source of spiritual truth that they need. It's time to go back to what the Scriptures say first and foremost in the matters of Church tradition.