What does 1 Timothy 3:14 mean?

Verse 14 begins a new section that stretches through verse 16. It focuses on the purpose of Paul's instructions and the greatness of the church. Paul and Timothy are separated for now, with Paul likely in Macedonia and Timothy in Ephesus. Yet Paul hoped to see him again. At the time he will write 2 Timothy, Paul will be in a Roman prison. There, he also continues to hope to personally see Timothy again, but will ask Timothy to come to him instead (2 Timothy 4:9). It is uncertain whether the two men ever saw one another again, after this letter or 2 Timothy, prior to Paul's death.

There is a great sense of purpose in Paul's writing ministry, both to Timothy and in his other 12 New Testament letters. He often sought to encourage and assist from a distance, helping the churches and people he had led to faith in Christ through his ministry or influence. These words are similar to his statement to Philemon: "Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say" (Philemon 1:21).