Expert: Jim Miller - 7/10/2006

Question
1 Timothy 3:15 "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth". What is Paul saying is the pillar and ground of truth? God or the Church?  

Answer
The more natural reading is that the church is the pillar and ground, because "God" is genetive to "church".  However, it is possible to read the verse with God as the pillar and ground.  Either reading is possible, church is probable.
I hope this is helpful,
Jim Miller