but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
the pillar and ground of the truth: Vine says of the word "pillar," "a column supporting the weight of a building." He comments: "a local church as to its responsibility--in a collective capacity--must maintain the doctrines of the faith by teaching and practice" (184). The church holds up the gospel to the world. The church was built upon the bedrock confession of Peter, "thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:18). In 1 Corinthians 3:11, "...other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." It is God’s purpose to send the gospel to the world (Ephesians 3:10). The great truth in this verse is Jesus, the heart of the gospel. The word "ground" means a "stay, a prop." It indicates that which is firm, stable. The church is the "pillar," the prop or support of the truth (Wuest 63). Thus, the church supports, holds up truth as a foundation holds up the building, giving support and steadiness to the building.