A Spiral Staircase
1 Tim. 3:13
By Jonathan Mitchell

In 1 Cor. 3:10b, Paul instructed us:

"I lay [other MSS: have laid] a foundation (or: laid a foundation [Stone]), yet now another, of the same kind, is progressively building a house upon [it]. So now, let each one continue watching to observe (take a comprehensive and considered look at, regard and take care; [cf 1 Cor. 1:26]) how he keeps on building the house upon [it] (or: she proceeds constructing further upon the house)."

We find Paul using another building metaphor in 1 Tim. 3:13,

"You see, those men giving supporting service and dispensing [goods, instruction or aid] in a fine, beautiful, excellent and ideal manner, continue in (or: by; for; among) themselves building around themselves a beautiful (fine; excellent; ideal) circular staircase (that which enables folks to step up to a higher place) and much confident freedom of speech (outspokenness and open boldness, which is the right of citizens) resident within faith, trust and loyalty - that which is resident within, and in union with, Christ Jesus."

Here Paul uses a picturesque metaphor of a carpenter, mason or builder to describe those folks who provide supporting service to the called-out community - or to the community at large - and do it in a beautiful and ideal manner. He says that "they progressively build a beautiful (fine; excellent; ideal) circular staircase" around themselves (both within and without) which enables both themselves and others to figuratively ascend in God's Temple. The word picture comes from 'peri-poieo' (to build around, or to construct an encirclement), and the word 'bathmos' (a step or staircase). This would recall the ladder in the story of Jacob's dream, Gen. 28:12, and then an aspect of God's house as Jacob mentioned in Gen. 28:17, as well as the metaphor which Jesus gave to Nathaniel in John 1:51.

Such service to the body also comes with outspoken freedom of speech, which is the right of citizens of God's kingdom, members of the Jerusalem which is above (Gal. 4:26), participants of the covenant. This freedom and boldness is resident within the faith which He gives us because of our union with Him. Within Him is also trust and confidence, and through our supporting service we can pass this on to others as we continue to build God's temple (1 Cor. 3:11-17).

1 Ki. 6:8 gives the following description of Soloman's Temple:

"The door for the lowest chamber [was] in the right side of the House; and they went up with winding stairs into the middle [chamber], and out of the middle into the third."

Jonathan

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