“Church” in 1 Timothy 3:15: Local or Universal?
by Tim Haile
    In their search for scriptural authorization of non-church evangelistic collectivities, some brethren have turned to 1 Timothy 3:15. Paul wrote, “{14} These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; {15} but if I am delayed, 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.” Some are saying that the “church” of this passage is the universal church; not the local church. The collective practices of some people actually requires this interpretation. If Paul is here speaking of the local church, then the local church, not the universal church, is specified as being “the pillar and ground of the truth.”  Specific authority is by its very nature, exclusive. For example, the use of instrumental music in worship to God is excluded and prohibited on the basis that “singing” is specified in Scripture (Eph. 5:19). Obviously, the defenders and promoters of non-church evangelistic collectivities cannot allow an interpretation of 1 Timothy 3:15 that specifies the local church as God’s evangelistic collective, for such would prohibit the formation of alternative organizations. Agenda-driven interpretation is usually flawed interpretation. Let us see if this is true in this case.
A Look at the Context
    The Greek word ecclesia is variously applied in the New Testament. Proper meaning must be determined from the context and particular use.
  1. •Stephen spoke of the “church (ecclesia) in the wilderness” (Acts 7:38). The context shows that he had reference to the assembly of Jews at mount Sinai.
  2. •The town clerk of Ephesus warned the people that matters of law should be taken up in a “lawful assembly (ecclesia),” not by a riot (Acts 19:39). Context shows that he had reference to a legal body.
  3. •Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my church (ecclesia)” (Matthew 16:18). The “church” of this passage is the universal church. There is only one universal church (“my church”). It contains all of the saved of all of the earth, whose names are written in Heaven (Hebrews 12:23). The universal church has no earthly headquarters or organization.
  4. •Paul spoke of “churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16), “churches of Asia” (1 Cor. 16:19), “churches of Macedonia” (2 Cor. 8:1) “churches of Galatia” (Gal. 1:2) and “churches of Judea” (Gal. 1:22). He wrote letters to churches in specific localities (1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Thess. 1:1). The churches of these passages are local churches. They are distinguished from each other on the basis of their local identity.
    As with the above uses, the nature of the “church” in 1 Timothy 3:15 is easily determined by looking at the immediate context of the verse. The statement of verse 15 is introduced on the basis of the “things” that Paul had written. And not just any “things,” but “these things.” If one can determine the sphere of application of “these things” that Paul had written, then he can also determine the scope of the “church” in verse 15.
1 Timothy 3:1-7 - Qualifications of Elders: Paul had just given the qualifications of “elders.” Elders, also known as “bishops” and “pastors,” are entrusted with feeding and superintending (“ruling” see 1 Tim. 5:17) the flock of God that is “among” them (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2), that is, the local church. They do not superintend the universal church, for it has no human superintendents (Eph. 1:22). Elders are to be appointed in local churches (Acts 14:23; Tit. 1:5), not the universal church. The “church” in 1 Timothy 3:15 must be the local church.
1 Timothy 3:8-13 - Qualifications of Deacons: Paul had given the qualifications of “deacons” just before mentioning the “church” in verse 15. These deacons are specially qualified servants that function under elders. Since the scope and extent of the oversight of elders is the local church, then deacons are servants also of the local church, not of the universal church. When writing the Philippians, Paul addressed himself to the saints at Philippi “with the bishops and deacons” (Phil. 1:1). And though the word “church” is not used in Philippians 1:1, it is used in Philippians 4:15 to describe these saints. Philippians 1:1 paints a clear picture of a fully established, scripturally organized, local church of Christ.
It was after writing about “these things” that Paul spoke to Timothy about how he was to conduct himself in the “church” that is the “pillar and ground of the truth.”
1 Timothy 5:16 - the Church and Benevolence: Paul said, “If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are really widows.” For this verse to make sense, the “church” of this verse must be the local church. Incidentally, “elders” are mentioned in the very next verse, and as we noted above, elders rule the local church, not the universal church. The “church” of 1 Timothy 5:16 cannot be the universal church.
Conclusion
    The church of 1 Timothy 3:15 was one in which Timothy would “conduct” himself. One does not “conduct” himself in the universal church, for the universal church has no collective conduct. Those who say that the church of 1 Timothy 3:15 is the universal church do so in order to defend the existence and actions of non-church evangelistic collectivities. Though some of these brethren have doubtlessly failed to consider this consequence, their interpretation of 1 Timothy 3:15 actually demands an organized activation of the universal church. This is a serious fallacy of exegesis, and it has dangerous and far-reaching consequences. Truth-loving brethren will admit that the “church” of  1 Timothy 3:15 is the local church, and that this passage thus specifies the local church as “the pillar and ground of the truth.” They will oppose the false notion that Paul is here speaking of the universal church.