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1 Timothy 3

1 Tim. 3:15 KJV (With Strong’s)

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15
But
de (Greek #1161)
but, and, etc.
KJV usage: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Pronounce: deh
Origin: a primary particle (adversative or continuative)
if
ean (Greek #1437)
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
KJV usage: before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever). See 3361.
Pronounce: eh-an'
Origin: from 1487 and 302
I tarry long
braduno (Greek #1019)
to delay
KJV usage: be slack, tarry.
Pronounce: brad-oo'-no
Origin: from 1021
, that
hina (Greek #2443)
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
KJV usage: albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to. Compare 3363.
Pronounce: hin'-ah
Origin: probably from the same as the former part of 1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare 3588)
thou mayest know
eido (Greek #1492)
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent 3700 and 3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know
KJV usage: be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare 3700.
Pronounce: i'-do
Origin: a primary verb
how
pos (Greek #4459)
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
KJV usage: how, after (by) what manner (means), that. (Occasionally unexpressed in English).
Pronounce: poce
Origin: adverb from the base of 4226
thou oughtest
dei (Greek #1163)
also δέον (deh-on'); neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)
KJV usage: behoved, be meet, must (needs), (be) need(-ful), ought, should.
Pronounce: die
Origin: 3d person singular active present of 1210
to behave thyself
anastrepho (Greek #390)
to overturn; also to return; by implication, to busy oneself, i.e. remain, live
KJV usage: abide, behave self, have conversation, live, overthrow, pass, return, be used.
Pronounce: an-as-tref'-o
Origin: from 303 and 4762
in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
the house
oikos (Greek #3624)
a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: home, house(-hold), temple.
Pronounce: oy'-kos
Origin: of uncertain affinity
w of God
theos (Greek #2316)
a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV usage: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Pronounce: theh'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
, which
hostis (Greek #3748)
which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same
KJV usage: X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever). Compare 3754.
Pronounce: hos'-tis
Origin: ἥτις (hay'-tis), and the neuter ὅτι (hot'-ee) from 3739 and 5100
is
esti (Greek #2076)
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
KJV usage: are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
Pronounce: es-tee'
Origin: third person singular present indicative of 1510
the church
ekklesia (Greek #1577)
a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)
KJV usage: assembly, church.
Pronounce: ek-klay-see'-ah
Origin: from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564
of the living
zao (Greek #2198)
to live (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: life(-time), (a-)live(-ly), quick.
Pronounce: dzah'-o
Origin: a primary verb
God
theos (Greek #2316)
a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV usage: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Pronounce: theh'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
, the pillar
stulos (Greek #4769)
a post ("style"), i.e. (figuratively) support
KJV usage: pillar.
Pronounce: stoo'-los
Origin: from στύω (to stiffen; properly akin to the base of 2476)
and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
θground
hedraioma (Greek #1477)
a support, i.e. (figuratively) basis
KJV usage: ground.
Pronounce: hed-rah'-yo-mah
Origin: from a derivative of 1476
of the truth
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
aletheia (Greek #225)
truth
KJV usage: true, X truly, truth, verity.
Pronounce: al-ay'-thi-a
Origin: from 227
.
w
2 Tim. 2:20• 20But in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also wooden and earthen; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. (2 Tim. 2:20)
θ
or, stay.

More on:

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Church,
God,
House,
House of God,
Pillar,
Truth

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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know.
1 Tim. 3:2• 2The overseer then must be irreproachable, husband of one wife, sober, discreet, decorous, hospitable, apt to teach; (1 Tim. 3:2)
;
Deut. 31:23• 23And Jehovah commanded Joshua the son of Nun, and said, Be strong and courageous; for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I have sworn unto them; and I will be with thee. (Deut. 31:23)
;
1 Kings 2:2,4• 2I go the way of all the earth: be of good courage therefore, and be a man;
 4that Jehovah may confirm his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, If thy sons take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee, said he, a man upon the throne of Israel. (1 Kings 2:2,4)
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1 Chron. 22:13• 13Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to perform the statutes and ordinances which Jehovah commanded Moses for Israel: be strong and courageous; fear not, neither be dismayed. (1 Chron. 22:13)
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1 Chron. 28:9‑21• 9And thou, Solomon my son, know the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Jehovah searches all hearts, and discerns all the imaginations of the thoughts. If thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cut thee off for ever.
 10Consider now, that Jehovah has chosen thee to build a house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.
 11And David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of its houses, and of its treasuries, and of its upper chambers, and of its inner chambers, and of the house of the mercy-seat;
 12and the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit, of the courts of the house of Jehovah, and of all the chambers round about, for the treasuries of the house of God, and for the treasuries of the dedicated things;
 13and for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of Jehovah, and for all the instruments of service in the house of Jehovah:
 14gold by weight for things of gold, for all utensils of each kind of service; for all utensils of silver, by weight, for all utensils of each kind of service;
 15and the weight of the golden candlesticks, and of their golden lamps, by weight for every candlestick, and for its lamps; and for the silver candlesticks, by weight, for the candlestick and for its lamps, according to the use of every candlestick;
 16and gold by weight for the tables of the loaves to be set in rows, for every table; and silver for the tables of silver;
 17and pure gold for the forks, and the bowls, and the goblets; and for the golden basons by weight for every bason; and for the silver basons by weight for every bason;
 18and for the altar of incense, refined gold by weight; and the pattern of the chariot of the cherubim of gold, which spread out their wings and cover the ark of the covenant of Jehovah.
 19All this said David, in writing, by Jehovah's hand upon me, instructing as to all the works of the pattern.
 20And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and courageous, and do it; fear not nor be dismayed: for Jehovah Elohim, my God, will be with thee; he will not leave thee, neither forsake thee, until all the work for the service of the house of Jehovah is finished.
 21And behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites are for all the service of the house of God; and thou hast with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing man, skilful for every sort of service; and the princes and all the people are wholly at thy commandment. (1 Chron. 28:9‑21)
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Acts 1:2• 2until that day in which, having by the Holy Spirit charged the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up; (Acts 1:2)
the house.
Eph. 2:21‑22• 21in whom all the building fitted together increases to a holy temple in the Lord;
 22in whom *ye* also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit. (Eph. 2:21‑22)
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2 Tim. 2:20• 20But in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also wooden and earthen; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. (2 Tim. 2:20)
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Heb. 3:2‑6• 2who is faithful to him that has constituted him, as Moses also in all his house.
 3For *he* has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, by how much he that has built it has more honour than the house.
 4For every house is built by some one; but he who has built all things is God.
 5And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house, as a ministering servant, for a testimony of the things to be spoken after;
 6but Christ, as Son over his house, whose house are *we*, if indeed we hold fast the boldness and the boast of hope firm to the end. (Heb. 3:2‑6)
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1 Peter 2:5• 5yourselves also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)
the church.
1 Tim. 3:5• 5(but if one does not know how to conduct his own house, how shall he take care of the assembly of God?) (1 Tim. 3:5)
the living.
1 Tim. 4:10• 10for, for this we labour and suffer reproach, because we hope in a living God, who is preserver of all men, specially of those that believe. (1 Tim. 4:10)
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1 Tim. 6:16• 16who only has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor is able to see; to whom be honour and eternal might. Amen. (1 Tim. 6:16)
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Deut. 5:26• 26For who is there of all flesh, that has heard the voice of the living God speaking from the midst of the fire, as we, and has lived? (Deut. 5:26)
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Josh. 3:10• 10And Joshua said, Hereby shall ye know that the living *God is in your midst, and that he will without fail dispossess from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites. (Josh. 3:10)
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1 Sam. 17:26,36• 26And David spoke to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that smites this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
 36Thy servant smote both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. (1 Sam. 17:26,36)
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2 Kings 19:4• 4It may be Jehovah thy God will hear all the words of Rab-shakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to reproach the living God; and will rebuke the words which Jehovah thy God has heard. Therefore lift up a prayer for the remnant that is left. (2 Kings 19:4)
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Psa. 42:2• 2My soul thirsteth for God, for the living *God: when shall I come and appear before God? (Psa. 42:2)
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Psa. 84:2• 2My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of Jehovah; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living *God. (Psa. 84:2)
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Jer. 10:10• 10But Jehovah Elohim is truth; he is the living God, and the King of eternity. At his wrath the earth trembleth, and the nations cannot abide his indignation. (Jer. 10:10)
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Jer. 23:36• 36And the burden of Jehovah shall ye mention no more; for every man's own word shall be his burden: for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of Jehovah of hosts, our God. (Jer. 23:36)
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Dan. 6:26• 26I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for he is the living God, and steadfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. (Dan. 6:26)
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Hos. 1:10• 10Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea which cannot be measured or numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, it shall be said unto them, Sons of the living *God. (Hos. 1:10)
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Matt. 16:16• 16And Simon Peter answering said, *Thou* art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matt. 16:16)
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John 6:69• 69and we have believed and known that thou art the holy one of God. (John 6:69)
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Acts 14:15• 15and saying, Men, why do ye these things? *We* also are men of like passions with you, preaching to you to turn from these vanities to the living God, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all things in them; (Acts 14:15)
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Rom. 9:26• 26And it shall be, in the place where it was said to them, *Ye* are not my people, there shall they be called Sons of the living God. (Rom. 9:26)
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2 Cor. 3:3• 3being manifested to be Christ's epistle ministered by us, written, not with ink, but the Spirit of the living God; not on stone tables, but on fleshy tables of the heart. (2 Cor. 3:3)
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2 Cor. 6:16• 16and what agreement of God's temple with idols? for *ye* are the living God's temple; according as God has said, I will dwell among them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be to me a people. (2 Cor. 6:16)
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1 Thess. 1:9• 9for they themselves relate concerning us what entering in we had to you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, (1 Thess. 1:9)
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Heb. 3:12• 12See, brethren, lest there be in any one of you a wicked heart of unbelief, in turning away from the living God. (Heb. 3:12)
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Heb. 9:14• 14how much rather shall the blood of the Christ, who by the eternal Spirit offered himself spotless to God, purify your conscience from dead works to worship the living God? (Heb. 9:14)
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Heb. 12:22• 22but ye have come to mount Zion; and to the city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem; and to myriads of angels, (Heb. 12:22)
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Rev. 7:2• 2And I saw another angel ascending from the sunrising, having the seal of the living God; and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it had been given to hurt the earth and the sea, (Rev. 7:2)
the pillar.
Jer. 1:18• 18And I, behold, I appoint thee this day as a strong city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls, against the whole land; against the kings of Judah, against its princes, against its priests, and against the people of the land. (Jer. 1:18)
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Matt. 16:18‑19• 18And *I* also, I say unto thee that *thou* art Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and hades' gates shall not prevail against it.
 19And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of the heavens; and whatsoever thou mayest bind upon the earth shall be bound in the heavens; and whatsoever thou mayest loose on the earth shall be loosed in the heavens. (Matt. 16:18‑19)
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Matt. 18:18• 18Verily I say to you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on the earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on the earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matt. 18:18)
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Rom. 3:2• 2Much every way: and first, indeed, that to them were entrusted the oracles of God. (Rom. 3:2)
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Gal. 2:9• 9and recognising the grace given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were conspicuous as being pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that *we* should go to the nations, and *they* to the circumcision; (Gal. 2:9)
ground.
or, stay.
the truth.
1 Tim. 3:16• 16And confessedly the mystery of piety is great. God has been manifested in flesh, has been justified in the Spirit, has appeared to angels, has been preached among the nations, has been believed on in the world, has been received up in glory. (1 Tim. 3:16)
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John 1:17• 17For the law was given by Moses: grace and truth subsists through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)
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John 14:6• 6Jesus says to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father unless by me. (John 14:6)
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John 18:37• 37Pilate therefore said to him, Thou art then a king? Jesus answered, Thou sayest it, that I am a king. I have been born for this, and for this I have come into the world, that I might bear witness to the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice. (John 18:37)
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2 Cor. 6:7• 7in the word of truth, in the power of God; through the arms of righteousness on the right hand and left, (2 Cor. 6:7)
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Gal. 3:1• 1O senseless Galatians, who has bewitched you; to whom, as before your very eyes, Jesus Christ has been portrayed, crucified among you? (Gal. 3:1)
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Eph. 4:21• 21if ye have heard him and been instructed in him according as the truth is in Jesus; (Eph. 4:21)
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Col. 1:5• 5on account of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens; of which ye heard before in the word of the truth of the glad tidings, (Col. 1:5)
• On what then is God's house based? On redemption. Hence as Exodus is pre-eminently the book of redemption, it is precisely that book of the Old Testament which first and most fully treats of God's house. (“On 1 Timothy 3:14-15” by W. Kelly)
• But the apostle adds "which" (or "seeing that it") "is a living God's assembly." This description gives great force to God's house, and in direct contrast with a dead idol, the boast and shame of all Gentiles everywhere. (“On 1 Timothy 3:14-15” by W. Kelly)
• But the point above all remains-not what they are, but what He is. It is His assembly: let them never forget it. (“On 1 Timothy 3:14-15” by W. Kelly)
• Christ is the truth, and so is the written word, as well as the Spirit. They are the- truth, either objectively, or in power. But the assembly is the pillar on which the truth is inscribed and upheld before the world which believes not in Christ, receives not the word, and neither sees nor knows the Holy Spirit. (“On 1 Timothy 3:14-15” by W. Kelly)
• The assembly, or church, of God then is in no way the truth, but its responsible witness and support on the earth before all men. Not the church but Christ is the standard and expression of what God is, and of man and all else, as revealed in Holy Writ, the one daily and perfect rule of faith, the word that abides forever. So far from being before the word, so as to formulate the truth, it was the word making known Christ which the Spirit of God used to quicken and fashion those who compose the church. Thus to the truth the church in God's grace owes its being; without the truth, or rather abandoning it (for, to be the church, the truth must have been possessed and maintained), the faithless church becomes not null only but the special object of divine judgment. (“On 1 Timothy 3:16” by W. Kelly)
• {The assembly} is the house of God. God dwells in it upon the earth (compare Ephesians 2:22). We understand that it is here viewed as on the earth, because the Apostle is speaking of how to behave in it. But this truth is important. It gives a character to the assembly of the highest importance for us with regard to our responsibility. (“1 Timothy 3” by J.N. Darby)
• Truth exists before the assembly; it is faith in the truth which gathers the assembly together. But the assembly is that which maintains the truth on earth. But the assembly does not teach. Teachers teach the assembly, but by faithfulness in holding fast the truth taught, it sustains it in the world. When the assembly is gone, men will be given up to a strong delusion. (“1 Timothy 3” by J.N. Darby)
• The assembly as planted by God on the earth is the pillar and support of the truth. Authority is not the question here, but the maintenance and presentation of the truth. (“1 Timothy 3” by J.N. Darby)
• "the pillar and base" As long as the Assembly is on earth, it is the witness to, and support of, the truth. (“The Order of God's House: 1 Timothy 2-3” by H. Smith)
• We are told that the House of God is "the Assembly of the living God". It is no longer a building of material stones, as in the Old Testament days, but a company of living stones-believers. It is formed of all believers living on earth at any given moment. No local Assembly is ever called the House of God. (“The Order of God's House: 1 Timothy 2-3” by H. Smith)
• The "pillar" presents the thought of witness; the "base" is that which supports. The House of God is not said to be the truth, but the "pillar" or witness of the truth. Christ on earth was "the truth" (John 14:6). (“The Order of God's House: 1 Timothy 2-3” by H. Smith)

J. N. Darby Translation

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15
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.

W. Kelly Translation

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15
but if I should tarry, that thou mayest know how onea ought to behave in God’s house, seeing it is a living God’s assembly, pillar and groundwork of the truthb.

WK Translation Notes

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a
All the English versions, from Wycliffe to the KJV refer the call to Timothy only and his personal duty. I cannot agree with the Revisers that the application is purposely left more general. Perhaps however "how men ought to behave themselves" is hardly so happy as "how one ought to behave oneself." It seems too vague, even as preceding English versions are rather too limited.
b
There is not a single good reason to sever the last clause from the assembly, and to connect it with "the mystery of godliness."