V.1 “The office of a bishop” was really being a shepherd or overseer among the people of God. It is not now an official position because there are no apostles or their delegates to appoint them. Secondly, we should remember that these men were elders only in the local assembly. And thirdly, there were always more than one in each place (or assembly). Why would one desire such an office? Surely not for any honor to himself, but because he loved God’s people, and wished to be of help to them.
V.2-7 Timothy is reminded that if a person was to be an overseer among the people of God, his life must be without blame.
V.8-13 Though this official position no longer exists, may each of us want to encourage other believers. Also there were men who took special care of the material needs of those who were in the assembly. They had to be honest and faithful in distributing what was offered to the Lord, to those needy ones. An example of verse 13 is Stephen (Acts 6:55And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: (Acts 6:5)).
V.15 The assembly is: first, the house of God. God dwells in it (Eph. 2:2222In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22)). Second the church of the living God. It is His! And He is living! Let us not add to it with the names of men who are dead, nor with the name of a doctrine. Third it is the pillar and base of the truth.
V.16 The secret of godliness is Christ. Let us follow His perfect example — true godliness will result.