Literally these two verses can be translated as follows: “I am writing to you these things, hoping to come to you quickly. But if I am delayed, in order that you may know how it is necessary to behave….” As one can see from the above, “hoping to come to you quickly” is a dependent clause, while the main part of the sentence is “I am writing to you these things.” Furthermore, verse 15 is an incomplete sentence in the Greek, since the main clause is left implicit, namely, “I am writing to you these things.” These two verses make several things clear. It is Paul’s intention to visit Timothy as soon as possible. There is a likelihood, however, that Paul’s visit may be delayed due to circumstances that are not mentioned. In case Paul is delayed, the letter will make clear certain things that Timothy ought to know.

As can be seen, Revised Standard Version is far from a literal translation of the Greek text, but it is an acceptable restructuring, although the one long sentence sounds rather cumbersome. The Good News Translation restructuring is much simpler, especially since the one long Greek sentence has been rendered into two shorter ones. However, in certain languages where dependent clauses always precede the main clause, RSV’s model will be a satisfactory one, but translators should in most instances divide this long sentence into two.

I hope to come in certain languages will be rendered “I hope to go.”

These instructions is literally “these things,” which can be taken in a general sense as referring to the whole letter (as in Good News Translation “as I write this letter”), or in a specific sense as referring to the instructions regarding the appointment of church leaders described in this chapter, which is what Revised Standard Version seems to suggest. The first interpretation seems to be the more likely one and is recommended by this Handbook.

If I am delayed can also have the meaning “in case I am delayed”; the Greek construction seems to suggest that it is not very likely that there will be anything to hinder Paul’s forthcoming visit. This clause may also be expressed as “If something delays me” or “But in case I cannot come (or, go) to you as soon as I want to.”

Behave translates a reflexive (middle) form of the verb, hence “to conduct oneself.” This can be interpreted as referring to Christian conduct in general (as, for example, New American Bible “what kind of conduct befits a member of God’s household”). But since the immediate context is the qualifications of church officials, the behavior here is perhaps much better taken in a specific sense as referring to the conduct of church affairs. It should be noted further that behave does not have a subject (literally “how it is necessary to behave”; and note Revised Standard Version‘s impersonal how one ought to behave). It is possible to read Timothy as the subject, “how you should conduct yourself”; it is more likely, however, that the whole congregation is meant; this is perhaps the intent of Good News Translation “we,” which should be taken in an inclusive sense. Other ways of expressing how one ought to behave are “how we [inclusive] should live our lives,” or even figuratively as “how we should walk our lives.”

The community of believers is here described in several ways. First, it is the household of God. Household is literally “house,” but the focus here is not on the building as such but on the people. Household therefore is used here metaphorically, comparing the church to a human family, thus stressing the close relationship between the people within the community, with God as the head. Therefore it is possible to express in the household of God as “as part of God’s family” or “as people who are like members of God’s family.” To make this meaning clear and to prevent any misunderstanding, the metaphor is now explained by the phrase the church of the living God. The expression living God occurs fifteen times in the Old Testament and thirteen times in the New Testament. Initially the expression was used to contrast God with idols that were lifeless but were nonetheless objects of worship. Subsequently the expression was also used to describe God as one who is not only alive but also actively working in the world and among people. In some cases the expression can also refer to God as the source of life, although that seems to be less likely here.

Alternative translation models for you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God are “you may know how we [inclusive] ought to live our lives as members of the family of God, which compose the church of the living God,” “you may know how we [inclusive] should walk our lives….” However, in languages that cannot use a collective term for the church of God, one may translate “You may know … as members of the family of God; this family is composed of all those who believe in Christ and belong to the living God.” In situations where “household” and “family” would be understood literally that God had a wife and children, another expression will need to be used, such as “among the people of God.”

Secondly, the community is the pillar and bulwark of the truth. The use of these terms may have been suggested by the previous metaphor, namely, the word for household, which as noted is literally “house.” Both pillar and bulwark are basic parts of a building, making sure that the building is structurally stable, with bulwark referring to a horizontal support at the bottom (the foundation), and pillar referring to the vertical support in the building, holding up the roof. Of these two terms, bulwark has caused more difficulty, since the Greek word can mean “support,” “foundation,” “firm base.” The question then can be asked: is the church the protector of the truth, or is it the foundation and ground of the truth? These two things are not mutually exclusive, however. Considering the situation of the church during the time of the writing of the Pastoral Letters, it was very important to emphasize the role of the church as the guarantor of the truth in the midst of conflicting claims and erroneous teachings. In many languages it will be helpful to begin a new sentence at the pillar and say, for example, “This church supports the true teachings, just as the foundation and post (or, pillar) support and ensure the stability of a house” or “These believers support the true teachings just as the foundation and post ensure that a house stands firm (or, doesn’t fall down).”

The expression the truth is used five times in 1 Timothy, five times in 2 Timothy, and twice in Titus, to refer to the body of accepted Christian doctrine, the custodian of which is the church. (See further discussion on 2.4.)

Perhaps it should be noted that these two verses also give rise to the question of Timothy’s status within in the congregation. As Paul’s representative he seems to be entrusted with the task of making sure that the affairs of the church are conducted properly. But what office or title would Timothy hold? Is he an overseer (bishop), a deacon, or someone who “oversees” both bishops and deacons? Fortunately translators do not need to have answers to these questions before they are able to translate the text in an accurate and meaningful way.

An alternative translation model for verse 15 is:
• But if something causes me to be slow (or, late) in coming (or, going) to you, what I have written in this letter will let you know how we [inclusive] should live our lives as people who are members of the family of God. This family is composed of all those who believe (in Christ) and belong to the living God. These believers support and keep the true teachings firm just as the foundation and post (or, pillar) support a house and ensure that it stands firmly.

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .