THE PILLAR AND THE GROUND OF THE TRUTH.

THE PILLAR AND THE GROUND OF THE TRUTH

Text: 1 Timothy 3:15.

Nchimunya Simalonga Ollen

In the scripture above, the apostle Paul told Timothy that the church is the house of the living God and the pillar and the ground of the truth. One cannot appreciate the importance of the relationship between the church and the truth as portrayed in this scripture without understanding the importance of the ground and the pillar in the building. 

Paul called the church, the house of God. Obviously, we are not talking about the physical building but the assembly of the saved who are the church of God. The church is the spiritual building of Christ - Ephesians 2:21 "in whom (Christ) the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord."

In understanding the importance of the church in its relationship with the truth, we will have to look at the roles of the pillars and the ground within the building and relate it to the church and the truth.

👉 In a building, the pillars are vertical load-bearing elements, while the ground (or foundation) provides the ultimate base that supports and secures the entire structure. 

The Role of Pillars

👉 The pillars carry the compressive loads from horizontal elements like beams, slabs, and the roof. This offers stability to the building.

📌 As the pillars of the building, the church is to hold fast the word of truth - Philippians 2:16 "holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain."

Like the pillars holding the beams, the church is to stand firm, holding the traditions left by the apostles - 2 Thessalonians 2:15 "Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle."

As a strong pillar, the church should stand firm without being shaken by any wind - Ephesians 4:14 "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting." 

👉 The pillars channel the forces above safely downward to the foundation. This prevents the building from collapsing. The pillars stand on the foundation transferring load from the forces above down the group.

📌 Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which the church is standing - 1 Cor 3:10. The church upholding the truth and telling it to people, changes the world. Those who believe are channeled to the foundation upon which the building is standing. This ensures the stability of the buildings. Ephesians 3:10. Every force is redirected to the foundation - Acts 10:26 "But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.”

👉 The pillars resist lateral forces (such as those from wind or earthquakes) and prevent the structure from buckling or collapsing.

📌 As the pillar of the truth, the church stands firm, resisting all forms of wind and earthquakes fighting against the truth. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."

Titus 1:9 "holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict."

Jude 1:3 "...contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." 

👉 In architecture, pillars also serve decorative purposes, defining space and enhancing the visual design of a building.

📌 When the truth has been upheld without any contamination, the church will be pleasant to look at. Ephesians 5:27 "that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." 

The word of truth will sanctify us - John 17:17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." 

The Role of the Ground

👉The ground, beneath the structure, serves as the stable and enduring base.

📌 The ground is an enduring base of the structure. If Paul likened the church to the ground, what do you think should be the role of the church as an enduring base of the truth?

As the enduring base of the truth, the church is to stand firm in the truth, grounded to the extent where it can't be moved 

Colossians 1:23 "if indeed you continue in the faith, GROUNDED and STEADFAST, and ARE NOT MOVED AWAY from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister."

We should continue in the truth - 1 Timothy 4:16 "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you."

In conclusion,

It is very important that each and every member of the church knows his relationship with the word of God, the burden placed on them. This will make us have a proper attitude toward the doctrines that fight against the word of God. 

👉 Remember Paul's reaction against Elymas when he wanted to turn the proconsul from hearing the truth - Acts 13:8-11 [8] "But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith." Kindly read verses 9-11.

👉 Remember, Peter's feelings when he came near to the end of his life on earth. His interest in seeing to it that believers remain with a reminder of the truth - 2 Peter 1:12,15 "For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease."

👉 What about Paul's reaction towards the easily deceived Galatians? Galatians 3:1ff