THE RULE OF FAITH
But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God,
which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.
1 Timothy 3:15
The passage from 1 Timothy 3:15 underscores critical aspects of the Catholic Church’s teachings concerning the nature and function of the Church as the bedrock of truth. This verse refers to the Church as the “household of God,” which implies a deeply familial and communal aspect of faith. It signifies that believers are not only individual followers of Christ but are also part of a larger spiritual family, called to support one another in living according to God’s teachings. Additionally, this phrase highlights the Church’s role as a guiding institution that provides teachings, sacraments, and community support, reinforcing the idea that the Church is an essential context for nurturing one’s relationship with God and other believers.
In Catholic doctrine, the Church is understood as the living continuation of Christ’s presence on earth, serving as the primary vehicle through which God reveals His divine truth to humanity. This is rooted in the belief that the Church was established by Christ Himself, thereby conferring on it a unique authority. The Church’s designation as the “pillar and foundation of truth” underscores its essential role in safeguarding and proclaiming the core tenets of the faith, as meticulously articulated in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.
Furthermore, the Church functions through the Magisterium—the Church’s teaching authority, composed of the Pope and the bishops in communion with him. This authority is responsible for interpreting and clarifying the truths of faith, ensuring that they are accurately conveyed and understood by the faithful. The Magisterium fosters a deeper understanding of these truths. It guides their living in daily life, helping believers navigate moral and ethical challenges in line with Catholic teaching. Through the sacraments, liturgy, and the community of believers, the Church strengthens and supports its members in their spiritual journeys, affirming its vital role as a source of grace and truth in the world.
The passage from 1 Timothy 6:20-21 is a directive from the apostle Paul to Timothy, who has been ordained Bishop (episkopēs). It urges him to be vigilant in safeguarding the teachings and truths entrusted to him within the Christian faith. The phrase “guard what has been entrusted to you” highlights the responsibility of both leaders and believers to protect the integrity of their beliefs and doctrines. The admonition to “avoid profane babbling and the absurdities of so-called knowledge” highlights the danger of engaging in empty or meaningless discussions that stray from the core tenets of faith. This suggests that individuals may be tempted to pursue speculative or heretical ideas, which can lead them astray.
The concluding remark, “By professing it, some people have deviated from the faith,” serves as a cautionary note. It illustrates that an inclination toward false teachings can have severe consequences, leading to a departure from true faith. This highlights the importance of discernment and the need to adhere closely to sound doctrine to maintain a strong and faithful spiritual life.
The reference in 1 Timothy 3 to proper behavior within the Church indicates that there are expectations and responsibilities for its members. This encompasses not only personal piety but also the communal aspect of faith, where unity, charity, and adherence to Christ’s teachings are vital. In this context, the Church serves as the guardian of the faith, providing believers with the necessary teachings and sacraments to deepen their relationship with God. The Catholic understanding emphasizes that faith is not merely a private affair but is lived out within the community of believers, reflecting the Church’s teaching and sacramental life.
This verse reflects the Catholic belief that the Church is a divinely instituted institution, established by Christ, through which the faithful receive spiritual guidance, participate in communal worship, and access the sacraments, which are essential means of grace. The Church serves as the living body of Christ, ensuring continuity in the faith across generations and fostering adherence to the core truths of the Gospel. Through community, tradition, and teaching, the Church nurtures the spiritual development of its members, guiding them in their moral and ethical lives in accordance with Christian teachings. 1 Timothy 3:15 is often cited in discussions of the authority of Scripture and the role of the Church, particularly in debates surrounding sola Scriptura, a principle central to Protestant beliefs. Sola Scriptura, meaning “Scripture alone,” holds that the Bible is the sole infallible source of authority for Christian faith and practice. The 16th-century Protestant reformers championed this doctrine, positing that the Scriptures are sufficient for salvation and moral guidance, independent of church tradition or ecclesiastical authority as structured in the Catholic Church.
However, the verse that highlights the Church as the “pillar and ground of the truth” suggests an essential role for the Church in upholding and interpreting the truth, including the Canon of Scripture, since Holy Writ isn’t self-authenticating. If the Church is tasked with preserving and providing definitive guidance on the truth, it implies that there are aspects of faith and practice that may not be derived solely from Scripture, but from the Church’s authority and tradition.
Traditionally, Paul writes to Timothy about how to conduct oneself in the Church, indicating that the Church has a structured system of authority and guidance. This implies that there is more than just the written word (Scripture) guiding the believers; the community of faith, led by its ordained leaders, plays a crucial role in instructing and maintaining order. The notion that the Church exists as a pillar of truth implies that interpreting Scripture is also vital. Sola Scriptura can lead to widely divergent interpretations. The verse argues for a communal understanding guided by the Church’s apostolic authority, which helps preserve doctrinal unity.
Early Christians did not possess the complete New Testament in its current unified form. The Church’s teachings and authority were fundamental in guiding early believers during the first three centuries. Paul’s instruction to Timothy thus reflects the reality that the nascent community and its leaders were vital sources of the Christian faith, acting together with Scripture, exclusively the Old Testament, in light of Christian teachings and beliefs (Tradition) under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (cf. John 16:12-13; 14:16).
Sola Scriptura can lead to a strong focus on personal interpretation of the Bible, resulting in numerous denominations and conflicting beliefs. In contrast, 1 Timothy 3:15 highlights a collective structure in which the visible, hierarchical Church, serving as the “household of God,” plays a significant role in guiding believers and upholding doctrinal integrity.
Hence, 1 Timothy 3:15 underscores the necessity of the Church’s role alongside Scripture, challenging the complete reliance on Scripture alone as posited by sola Scriptura. It highlights a view that combines scriptural authority with the importance of communal faith and an authoritative doctrinal interpretation, suggesting that both Scripture and the one visible Church originally founded by Jesus Christ on Peter and the Apostles are integral to understanding and living out the Christian faith until the end of this messianic age.
EARLY SACRED TRADITION
Irenaeus of Lyons (A.D. 180)
Against Heresies, 5,20:2
“Those, therefore, who desert the preaching of the Church, call in question the knowledge of the holy presbyters,
not taking into consideration of how much greater consequence is a religious man, even in a private station, than
a blasphemous and impudent sophist. Now, such are all the heretics, and those who imagine that they have hit upon something more beyond the truth, so that by following those things already mentioned, proceeding on their way variously,
in harmoniously, and foolishly, not keeping always to the same opinions with regard to the same things, as blind men
are led by the blind, they shall deservedly fall into the ditch of ignorance lying in their path, ever seeking and never finding
out the truth. It behooves us, therefore, to avoid their doctrines, and to take careful heed lest we suffer any injury from them; but to flee to the Church, and be brought up in her bosom, and be nourished with the Lord’s Scriptures.”
Tertullian of Carthage (A.D. 200)
Prescription against the Heretics, 37
“Since this is the case, in order that the truth may be adjudged to belong to us, “as many as walk according to the rule,” which the church has handed down from the apostles, the apostles from Christ, and Christ from God, the reason of our position is clear, when it determines that heretics ought not to be allowed to challenge an appeal to the Scriptures, since we, without the Scriptures, prove that they have nothing to do with the Scriptures. For as they are heretics, they cannot be true Christians, because it is not from Christ that they get that which they pursue of their own mere choice, and from the pursuit incur and admit the name of heretics. Thus, not being Christians, they have acquired no right to the Christian Scriptures; and it may be very fairly said to them, “Who are you? When and whence did you come?”
Origen of Alexandria (A.D. 230)
First Principles, 4,1:9
“Now the cause, in all the points previously enumerated, of the false opinions, and of the impious statements or ignorant assertions about God, appears to be nothing else than the not understanding the Scripture according to its spiritual meaning, but the interpretation of it agreeably to the mere letter. And therefore, to those who believe that the sacred books are not the compositions of men, but that they were composed by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, agreeably to the will of the Father of all things through Jesus Christ, and that they have come down to us, we must point out the ways (of interpreting them) which appear (correct) to us, who cling to the standard of the heavenly Church of Jesus Christ according to the succession of the apostles.”
Cyprian of Carthage (A.D. 256)
Unity of the Church, 6
“The spouse of Christ cannot be adulterous; she is uncorrupted and pure. She knows one home; she guards with chaste modesty the sanctity of one couch. She keeps us for God. She appoints the sons whom she has born for the kingdom. Whoever is separated from the Church and is joined to an adulteress, is separated from the promises of the Church; nor can he who forsakes the Church of Christ attain to the rewards of Christ. He is a stranger; he is profane; he is an enemy. He can no longer have God for his Father, who has not the Church for his mother. If anyone could escape who was outside the ark of Noah, then he also may escape who shall be outside of the Church. The Lord warns, saying, ‘He who is not with me is against me, and he who gathereth not with me scattereth.’”
Cyril of Jerusalem (A.D. 350)
Catechetical Lectures, 5:12
“But in learning the Faith and in professing it, acquire and keep that only, which is now delivered to thee by the Church, and which has been built up strongly out of all the Scriptures….Take heed then, brethren, and hold fast the traditions which ye now receive, and write them and the table of your heart.”
Hilary of Poitiers (A.D. 355)
On Matthew, Homily 13:1
“They who are placed without the Church, cannot attain to any understanding of the divine word. For the ship exhibits
a type of Church, the word of life placed and preached within which, they who are without, and lie near like barren and
useless sands, cannot understand.”
Basil of Caesarea (A.D. 373)
Epistle 140:2
“Now I accept no newer creed written for me by other men, nor do I venture to propound the outcome of my own intelligence, lest I make the words of true religion merely human words; but what I have been taught by the holy Fathers, that I announce to all who question me. In my Church the creed written by the holy Fathers in synod at Nicea
is in use.”
Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 397)
On Christian Doctrine, 3,2:2
“But when proper words make Scripture ambiguous, we must see in the first place that there is nothing wrong in our punctuation or pronunciation. Accordingly, if, when attention is given to the passage, it shall appear to be uncertain in what way it ought to be punctuated or pronounced, let the reader consult the rule of faith which he has gathered from the plainer passages of Scripture, and from the authority of the Church, and of which I treated at sufficient length when I was speaking in the first book about things.”
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always,
the Spirit of truth.
John 14, 16-17
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