Note 2 at 1 Tim. 3:15: The fact that Paul gave Timothy instructions about how he was to behave in the church is an indication that this behavior doesn't just happen automatically. We have to learn discipline and obedience, it doesn't just come naturally.

Note 3 at 1 Tim. 3:15: Paul's instructions about how to behave in the church are not a reference to a building, but rather to the household of God: God's family (see note 1 at Acts 12:1, p. 641). This included the local church in Ephesus as well as God's church today.

Note 4 at 1 Tim. 3:15: A pillar is used for support. The church of the Lord Jesus Christ supports (holds up) truth in the earth. The New International Version substitutes foundation for what the King James Version calls ground. Therefore, the church is the foundation and support of the truth in the earth.

Without the church and its proclamation of the truth, the world has no foundation or support for determining truth. The relativism and moral decay that is so pervasive in today's society is an indication that the church has not been doing a good job of salting the earth. We have to let our light shine for the world to have any hope of arriving at truth. There is not truth without God's Word. God's Word is truth (Jn. 17:17). See notes 21-25 at 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, pages 1253-1254.