" . . . 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."
The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is writing to the pastor Timothy--so that he (Timothy) would know how to act and minister in the church. Timothy, then, would become the example for the elders, the deacons (just mentioned in the earlier part of the chapter), and the rest of the parish.
Until (or unless) we learn the principles of church life--we will be of little account anywhere else: be it in our homes, our workplaces, our schools, our neighborhoods, or our culture(s). The first step is saving faith in Christ, which will lead to faithfulness (in church).
[Puritan quote of the day: "In your daily practice do not trust too much in any outward performance or task, making idols of outward things." --Richard Sibbes, in "Glorious Freedom"]
