Paul Details to Timothy the Qualifications of Leaders in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ Part 7
1 Timothy 3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. KJV
Paul now declares to Timothy that the Deacon candidate, that is, the man considered for this office in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ must have proven himself capable of such a responsibility in the Church by first being one who is a good judge of character himself by virtue of the woman he has chosen to be his wife, for Paul now list the attributes that must be found in the Deacons wife with these words, "Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things." (1 Timothy 3:11) (KJV). Just as the Deacon himself must be 'grave', so must the wife also be of the same character and again this word 'grave' is translated by the Greek word semnos meaning venerable, that is, profoundly honorable and honored: - grave, honest. Paul is not speaking here of the Deaconnesses as some other Commentators have declared, because he here says specifically wives, for it is certain that not all of the women in the early Church (just as the Church today) were married. The wives of the Deacons needed to be honorable and honest women because they had the ear and mind and the heart of the Deacon and if anyone could corrupt him, it would be his wife. Imagine a Deacon with a wife who is greedy for money and is willing to do anything to get more and more of it, including stealing from the Church coffers, why it won't take long for her to use her feminine wiles (if you get my meaning) upon her husband to get him to see things her way.
Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning wives of Deacons, "Chrysostom, Theophylact, Grotius, Bloomfield, and many others, suppose that by the word 'wives,' here, (gunaikas), the Apostle means 'Deaconesses.' Clarke supposes that it refers to women in general. The reason assigned for supposing that it does not refer to the wives of deacons, as such, is, that nothing is said of the qualifications of the wives of Bishops - a matter of as much importance as that of the character of the wife of a Deacon; and that it cannot be supposed that the Apostle would specify the one without some allusion to the other. But that the common interpretation, which makes it refer to the wives of Deacons, as such, is to be adhered to, seems to me to be clear. Because: (1) it is the obvious and natural interpretation. (2) the word here used - 'wives' - is never used of itself to denote Deaconesses. (3) if the Apostle had meant Deaconesses, it would have been easy to express it without ambiguity; compare notes, Romans 16:1. (4) what is here mentioned is important, whether the same thing is mentioned of Bishops or not. (5) in the qualifications of Bishops, the Apostle had made a statement respecting his family, which made any specification about the particular members of the family unnecessary. He was to be one who presided in a proper manner over his own house, or who had a well-regulated family; 1 Timothy 3:4-5. By a comparison of this passage, also, with Titus 2:3-4, which bears a strong resemblance to this, it would seem that it was supposed that the Deacons would be taken from those who were advanced in life, and that their wives would have some superintendence over the younger females of the Church. It was, therefore, especially important that they should be persons whose influence would be known to be decidedly favorable to piety. No one can doubt that the character of a woman may be such, that it is not desirable that her husband should be an officer in the Church. A bad woman ought not to be entrusted with any additional power or influence."
Next the Apostle Paul writes that the wife of Deacons are not to be 'slanderers' and this English word is translated by the Greek word diabolos meaning false accuser, devil, slanderer. In other words, there should be no Deacons wife that has a reputation of attacking others falsely with malicious intent in order to hurt them by backbiting, which in my opinion is the lowest form of the devil himself, for the person who engages in this behavior is cowardice, conniving, cold, and cruel and such a woman should never have access to the Churches materials or people, for here is what the Word of God has to say of a slanderer, "He who hides hatred is of lying lips, and he who utters slander is a [self-confident] fool." (Proverbs 10:18) (Amplified Bible). The Deacons wife should be a woman that is 'sober' and this English word is translated by the Greek word nēphaleos meaning sober, that is, (figuratively) circumspect: - sober, vigilant. In other words, it is fitting that a Deacon would have such a woman by his side that would be alert to potential danger to him and their family, for it may come to pass that the Deacon will be unable to spot the shaddy character in another person, but his wife can and in so doing by her careful observance and attentiveness, she will warn her Deacon husband of such a person or persons and stear her husband and their family away from potential danger (1 Peter 5:8).
When Paul writes here, 'faithful in all things', the English word 'faithful' is translated by the Greek word pistos which simply means objectively trustworthy; subjectively trustful: - believing, sure, true. In other words, she should be the wife that the Deacon can trust with his life and he can trust her to always have his best interest at hand and have the best interest of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ at hand as the Scripture says of Lydia after she believed, "And on the Sabbath day we went outside the [city's] gate to the bank of the river where we supposed there was an [accustomed] place of prayer, and we sat down and addressed the women who had assembled there. One of those who listened to us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a dealer in fabrics dyed in purple. She was [already] a worshiper of God, and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And when she was baptized along with her household, she earnestly entreated us, saying, If in your opinion I am one really convinced [that Jesus is the Messiah and the Author of salvation] {and} that I will be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay. And she induced us [to do it]." (Acts 16:13-15) (Amplified Bible). Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say concerning faithfulness of Deacons wives, "Trustworthy in respect to the alms committed to them and their other functions, answering to 'not greedy of filthy lucre,' 1 Timothy 3:8, in the case of the deacons."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
I am a Christian Writer of non-fiction primarily and a little fiction. My purpose for forming this site is to Edify Christians with my writing and reach the lost with the uncompromising Gospel of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Saturday, May 19, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 29
Paul Details to Timothy the Qualifications of Leaders in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ Part 6
1 Timothy 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. KJV
The Apostle Paul had just finished telling Timothy that the prospective Deacons and Deaconesses were to be of the kind of person who believed the Gospel of Christ just as it had been handed down from the very first Disciples/Apostles, that is, the twelve (12) (minus the traitor Judas of course) who walked with our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ for a little over three (3) years while He was on the earth before His Ascension back to Heaven. So, now immediately Paul declares to Timothy that the Deacons and Deaconesses must be proven to believe 'The Faith once and for all handed down from these first disciples' and he writes such with these words, "And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless." (1 Timothy 3:10) (KJV). The little English phrase 'be proved' is translated by one Greek word dokimazō which means to test (literally or figuratively); by implication to approve: - allow, discern, examine, or try. In the days during the Gold Rush out in California those who purchased or paid for gold prospected by someone, first had to have their rocks authenticated before any transaction could take place, for the deceitful worker could easily get a bunch of worthless rocks and paint over them attempting to deceive the buyer.
In like manner, the devil can transform himself into an angel of light coming in the form of a true believer when that person is really a deceitful worker planted there by the devil attempting and intending to destroy the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ from the inside out, just as Paul warned the Corinthian Church to beware of with these peircing, penetrating, and powerful words, "I wish you would bear with me while I indulge in a little [so-called] foolishness. Do bear with me! For I am zealous for you with a godly eagerness {and} a divine jealousy, for I have betrothed you to one Husband, to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But [now] I am fearful, lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds may be corrupted {and} seduced from wholehearted {and} sincere {and} pure devotion to Christ. For [you seem readily to endure it] if a man comes and preaches another Jesus than the One we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the [Spirit] you [once] received or a different gospel from the one you [then] received {and} welcomed; you tolerate [all that] well enough!" (2 Corinthians 11:1-4) (Amplified Bible).
When we drop down later on in this very same Chapter Paul begins to be specific about want and who was responsible for these men who came to them as sheep, but were really wolves clothed in sheep skin and wool, as he said with these words, "But what I do, I will continue to do, [for I am determined to maintain this independence] in order to cut off the claim of those who would like [to find an occasion and incentive] to claim that in their boasted [mission] they work on the same terms that we do. For such men are false apostles [spurious, counterfeits], deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles (special messengers) of Christ (the Messiah). And it is no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light; So it is not surprising if his servants also masquerade as ministers of righteousness. [But] their end will correspond with their deeds." (2 Corinthians 11:12-15) (Amplified Bible). The idea Paul is trying to get over to Timothy is that it is his responsibility and other leaders in the Churches like him to do a searching inquiry, interrogation, or interview of these men and women before just appointed anyone to these positions. It must be proven that they are in fact true believers holding the mystery of the faith, fighting for the faith, and even enduring persecutions for their faith because of their love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Apostle John spoke and wrote of this trying and testing concerning true faith in Christ with these words, "Beloved, do not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world. By this you may know (perceive and recognize) the Spirit of God: every spirit which acknowledges {and} confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [actually] has become man {and} has come in the flesh is of God [has God for its source]; And every spirit which does not acknowledge {and} confess {that} Jesus {Christ has come in the flesh} [but would annul, destroy, sever, disunite Him] is not of God [does not proceed from Him]. This [nonconfession] is the [spirit] of the antichrist, [of] which you heard that it was coming, and now it is already in the world." (1 John 4:1-3) (Amplified Bible), for the Mormons will come to you speaking of Jesus Christ, their Church even bears His name, but they do not believe in the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (that is, that He is God and Man, the God-Man) and count Him as just a man endowed with power from God, this is the spirit of anti-christ wrapped up in a nice sweet little package with a bright red bow on top that looks beautiful on the outside, but inside the package is a heeping pile of horse shit. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say concerning the proving of potential Deacons or Deaconesses, "It is not fit that the public trusts should be lodged in the hands of any, till they have been first proved, and found fit for the business they are to be entrusted with; the soundness of their judgments, their zeal for Christ, and the blamelessness of their conversation, must be proved." For the explanation of being found blameless see the commentary for Bishops found in Volume 24.
"Younger men, referred to as deacons, were appointed to subordinate tasks, especially the relief of the poor, Acts 6:1-15. Though their service was less important, their character must be of the highest quality. The strength of a Church is as much in the godliness of those who fill subordinate offices, as in its acknowledged leaders. The caretaker of a Church should be a man of as high ideals as its chief pastor. Nothing is common or unclean, nothing trivial and unimportant, where Christ’s honor and glory are concerned. In the prophet’s vision the very snuffers of the candlestick were of gold." F. B. Meyer
"If entire Church/Religious organizations can be founded by one man who has been infused with the lie of the devil (such as Joseph Smith with Mormonism and the Arab Prophet Muhammad with Islam) then surely Paul's idea of testing the faith, that is, what does the professing Christian believe about Jesus Christ, Christ virgin birth, Christ death on the Cross, Christ resurrection from the dead, Christ ascension back to Heaven, Christ Deity, and Christ second coming to the earth to judge sin is not something that must be taken lightly, but must be met with all sincerity, soberness, and seriousness of mind, for the way the devil is working now to hinder the work of our Lord Jesus Christ (for he can never stop it) is by infiltrating the Church with deceitful workers or false believers meant to hurt and harm the work of our Lord Jesus, even just as Paul warned Timothy of in his second (2nd) letter to him with these words, "But wicked men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving {and} leading astray others and being deceived {and} led astray themselves." (2 Timothy 3:13) (Amplified Bible), therefore, it should make us all the more diligent to test and try a person or persons profession of faith in Jesus Christ just as He does in heaven as King David declared with these words, "The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven. His eyes behold; His eyelids test {and} prove the children of men. The Lord tests {and} proves the [unyieldingly] righteous, but His soul abhors the wicked and him who loves violence." (Psalms 11:4-5) (Amplified Bible)." Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
1 Timothy 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. KJV
The Apostle Paul had just finished telling Timothy that the prospective Deacons and Deaconesses were to be of the kind of person who believed the Gospel of Christ just as it had been handed down from the very first Disciples/Apostles, that is, the twelve (12) (minus the traitor Judas of course) who walked with our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ for a little over three (3) years while He was on the earth before His Ascension back to Heaven. So, now immediately Paul declares to Timothy that the Deacons and Deaconesses must be proven to believe 'The Faith once and for all handed down from these first disciples' and he writes such with these words, "And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless." (1 Timothy 3:10) (KJV). The little English phrase 'be proved' is translated by one Greek word dokimazō which means to test (literally or figuratively); by implication to approve: - allow, discern, examine, or try. In the days during the Gold Rush out in California those who purchased or paid for gold prospected by someone, first had to have their rocks authenticated before any transaction could take place, for the deceitful worker could easily get a bunch of worthless rocks and paint over them attempting to deceive the buyer.
In like manner, the devil can transform himself into an angel of light coming in the form of a true believer when that person is really a deceitful worker planted there by the devil attempting and intending to destroy the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ from the inside out, just as Paul warned the Corinthian Church to beware of with these peircing, penetrating, and powerful words, "I wish you would bear with me while I indulge in a little [so-called] foolishness. Do bear with me! For I am zealous for you with a godly eagerness {and} a divine jealousy, for I have betrothed you to one Husband, to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But [now] I am fearful, lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds may be corrupted {and} seduced from wholehearted {and} sincere {and} pure devotion to Christ. For [you seem readily to endure it] if a man comes and preaches another Jesus than the One we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the [Spirit] you [once] received or a different gospel from the one you [then] received {and} welcomed; you tolerate [all that] well enough!" (2 Corinthians 11:1-4) (Amplified Bible).
When we drop down later on in this very same Chapter Paul begins to be specific about want and who was responsible for these men who came to them as sheep, but were really wolves clothed in sheep skin and wool, as he said with these words, "But what I do, I will continue to do, [for I am determined to maintain this independence] in order to cut off the claim of those who would like [to find an occasion and incentive] to claim that in their boasted [mission] they work on the same terms that we do. For such men are false apostles [spurious, counterfeits], deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles (special messengers) of Christ (the Messiah). And it is no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light; So it is not surprising if his servants also masquerade as ministers of righteousness. [But] their end will correspond with their deeds." (2 Corinthians 11:12-15) (Amplified Bible). The idea Paul is trying to get over to Timothy is that it is his responsibility and other leaders in the Churches like him to do a searching inquiry, interrogation, or interview of these men and women before just appointed anyone to these positions. It must be proven that they are in fact true believers holding the mystery of the faith, fighting for the faith, and even enduring persecutions for their faith because of their love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Apostle John spoke and wrote of this trying and testing concerning true faith in Christ with these words, "Beloved, do not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world. By this you may know (perceive and recognize) the Spirit of God: every spirit which acknowledges {and} confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [actually] has become man {and} has come in the flesh is of God [has God for its source]; And every spirit which does not acknowledge {and} confess {that} Jesus {Christ has come in the flesh} [but would annul, destroy, sever, disunite Him] is not of God [does not proceed from Him]. This [nonconfession] is the [spirit] of the antichrist, [of] which you heard that it was coming, and now it is already in the world." (1 John 4:1-3) (Amplified Bible), for the Mormons will come to you speaking of Jesus Christ, their Church even bears His name, but they do not believe in the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (that is, that He is God and Man, the God-Man) and count Him as just a man endowed with power from God, this is the spirit of anti-christ wrapped up in a nice sweet little package with a bright red bow on top that looks beautiful on the outside, but inside the package is a heeping pile of horse shit. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say concerning the proving of potential Deacons or Deaconesses, "It is not fit that the public trusts should be lodged in the hands of any, till they have been first proved, and found fit for the business they are to be entrusted with; the soundness of their judgments, their zeal for Christ, and the blamelessness of their conversation, must be proved." For the explanation of being found blameless see the commentary for Bishops found in Volume 24.
"Younger men, referred to as deacons, were appointed to subordinate tasks, especially the relief of the poor, Acts 6:1-15. Though their service was less important, their character must be of the highest quality. The strength of a Church is as much in the godliness of those who fill subordinate offices, as in its acknowledged leaders. The caretaker of a Church should be a man of as high ideals as its chief pastor. Nothing is common or unclean, nothing trivial and unimportant, where Christ’s honor and glory are concerned. In the prophet’s vision the very snuffers of the candlestick were of gold." F. B. Meyer
"If entire Church/Religious organizations can be founded by one man who has been infused with the lie of the devil (such as Joseph Smith with Mormonism and the Arab Prophet Muhammad with Islam) then surely Paul's idea of testing the faith, that is, what does the professing Christian believe about Jesus Christ, Christ virgin birth, Christ death on the Cross, Christ resurrection from the dead, Christ ascension back to Heaven, Christ Deity, and Christ second coming to the earth to judge sin is not something that must be taken lightly, but must be met with all sincerity, soberness, and seriousness of mind, for the way the devil is working now to hinder the work of our Lord Jesus Christ (for he can never stop it) is by infiltrating the Church with deceitful workers or false believers meant to hurt and harm the work of our Lord Jesus, even just as Paul warned Timothy of in his second (2nd) letter to him with these words, "But wicked men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving {and} leading astray others and being deceived {and} led astray themselves." (2 Timothy 3:13) (Amplified Bible), therefore, it should make us all the more diligent to test and try a person or persons profession of faith in Jesus Christ just as He does in heaven as King David declared with these words, "The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven. His eyes behold; His eyelids test {and} prove the children of men. The Lord tests {and} proves the [unyieldingly] righteous, but His soul abhors the wicked and him who loves violence." (Psalms 11:4-5) (Amplified Bible)." Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 28
Paul Details to Timothy the Qualifications of Leaders in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ Part 5
1 Timothy 3:8-9 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. KJV
Paul now shifts his focus from the office of Bishop to that of Deacons appointed most likely or in many cases by the Bishop himself, however different the responsibilities are in the two offices in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, the qualifications are exactly the same as Paul begins with these words to Timothy concerning Deacons in the Church, "Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;" (1 Timothy 3:8) (KJV). Beginning with the English word 'likewise' which means exactly what our English dictionaries attach to it and that is in the same way or in like manner. The English word 'deacon' is translated by the Greek word diakonos meaning to run on errands; an attendant, that is, (generally) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specifically a Christian teacher and pastor (technically a deacon or deaconess): - deacon, minister, servant. In other words, the deacon (just like the Bishop) is a servant of Jesus Christ, serving the members of Christ Spiritual Body the Church in some cases or capacities he or she (the deaconess) are teachers in the Church in Sunday School or even preaching from the pulpit, however, the primary role of deacons or deaconess is to act as attendants, that is, someone who waits on or attends to the needs of another and in this case the needs of the other brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The deacons were chosen right out of the Body of Believers to serve the same Body of Believers just as it was first done by the early Church as documented for us by Dr. Luke with these words, "Now about this time, when the number of the disciples was greatly increasing, complaint was made by the Hellenists (the Greek-speaking Jews) against the [native] Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked {and} neglected in the daily ministration (distribution of relief). So the Twelve [Apostles] convened the multitude of the disciples and said, It is not seemly {or} desirable {or} right that we should have to give up {or} neglect [preaching] the Word of God in order to attend to serving at tables {and} superintending the distribution of food. Therefore select out from among yourselves, brethren, seven men of good {and} attested character {and} repute, full of the [Holy] Spirit and wisdom, whom we may assign to look after this business {and} duty." (Acts 6:1-3) (Amplified Bible). These were the first deacons of the early Church.
Paul declared to Timothy that deacons 'be grave' and this little English phrase is translated by the Greek word semnos meaning venerable, that is, honorable or more specifically profoundly honored: - grave, honest. The deacon must not be 'doubletongued' and this English word (used this one time only in the New Testament) is translated by the Greek word dilogos meaning equivocal, that is, telling a different story: - double-tongued. In other words, the deacon and deaconesses of the Church must be men and women who are honored, that is, having an illustrious reputation among them and being very well respected by the other members of the Church. They must not be of the character to say one thing to one person concerning a matter and then say something completely different to another person concerning the same matter in the Church, just as the Psalmist David spoke against in the lyrics of his song with these words, "To his neighbor each one speaks words without use {or} worth {or} truth; with flattering lips and double heart [deceitfully] they speak." (Psalm 12:2) (Amplified Bible). The 'doubletongued' belongs to both of these the flatterer (Job 17:5) and the slanderer (Proverbs 10:18), both are equally dangerous, deceitful, and disgusting. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning deacons and their tongues, "They should be men who can be relied on for the exact truth of what they say, and for the exact fulfillment of their promises." When Paul writes here again, "not given to much wine" he means the same thing as he wrote above concerning Bishops and the drinking of wine, see Volume 25. When Paul writes here about the Deacon and money, he also means the same thing that was mentioned above concerning Bishops and money, again see Volune 25.
Just like the Bishop, the Deacon and Deaconess are responsible for gaurding and protecting the truth of the Gospel no matter the opposition from the enemy the devil, for it must be fought for diligently, dogmatically, and dynamically, just as the Apostle Jude spoke of with these words, "Beloved, my whole concern was to write to you in regard to our common salvation. [But] I found it necessary {and} was impelled to write you and urgently appeal to {and} exhort [you] to contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints [the faith which is that sum of Christian belief which was delivered verbally to the holy people of God]." (Jude 1:3) (Amplified Bible). So, Paul now writes these words to Timothy concerning the Deacons responsibility to the Gospel and to the Word of God, "Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience." (1 Timothy 3:9) (KJV). The English word 'holding' that begins this verse is translated by the Greek word echō which is a primary verb meaning to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession, ability, contiguity, relation or condition): The English word 'mystery' is translated by the Greek word mustērion meaning (to shut the mouth); a secret or “mystery” (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites): - mystery.
The English word 'faith' is translated by the Greek word pistis meaning persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity. Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say concering this, "It means that which had been concealed, or hidden, but which was now revealed. The word 'faith' here, is synonymous with 'the Gospel;' and the sense is, that he should hold firmly the great doctrines of the Christian religion which had been so long concealed from people, but which were now revealed. The reason is obvious. Though not a preacher, yet his influence and example would be great, and a man who held material error ought not to be in office." The little English phrase 'a pure' is translated by the Greek word katharos meaning clean (literally or figuratively): - clean, clear, pure. The English word 'conscience' is translated by the Greek word suneidēsis meaning co-perception, that is, moral consciousness: - conscience. In other words, the Deacon or Deaconess must be conscious or aware of their sins that offend and break the heart of God the Father and be faithful and consistent in confessing them to Him for forgiveness and cleansing. They must be of a clean conscience before entering into their service of our Lord Jesus Christ and they/we should always have a feeling of shame when they/we do, think, or say something that offends and breaks the heart of our Heavenly Father.
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
1 Timothy 3:8-9 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. KJV
Paul now shifts his focus from the office of Bishop to that of Deacons appointed most likely or in many cases by the Bishop himself, however different the responsibilities are in the two offices in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, the qualifications are exactly the same as Paul begins with these words to Timothy concerning Deacons in the Church, "Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;" (1 Timothy 3:8) (KJV). Beginning with the English word 'likewise' which means exactly what our English dictionaries attach to it and that is in the same way or in like manner. The English word 'deacon' is translated by the Greek word diakonos meaning to run on errands; an attendant, that is, (generally) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specifically a Christian teacher and pastor (technically a deacon or deaconess): - deacon, minister, servant. In other words, the deacon (just like the Bishop) is a servant of Jesus Christ, serving the members of Christ Spiritual Body the Church in some cases or capacities he or she (the deaconess) are teachers in the Church in Sunday School or even preaching from the pulpit, however, the primary role of deacons or deaconess is to act as attendants, that is, someone who waits on or attends to the needs of another and in this case the needs of the other brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The deacons were chosen right out of the Body of Believers to serve the same Body of Believers just as it was first done by the early Church as documented for us by Dr. Luke with these words, "Now about this time, when the number of the disciples was greatly increasing, complaint was made by the Hellenists (the Greek-speaking Jews) against the [native] Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked {and} neglected in the daily ministration (distribution of relief). So the Twelve [Apostles] convened the multitude of the disciples and said, It is not seemly {or} desirable {or} right that we should have to give up {or} neglect [preaching] the Word of God in order to attend to serving at tables {and} superintending the distribution of food. Therefore select out from among yourselves, brethren, seven men of good {and} attested character {and} repute, full of the [Holy] Spirit and wisdom, whom we may assign to look after this business {and} duty." (Acts 6:1-3) (Amplified Bible). These were the first deacons of the early Church.
Paul declared to Timothy that deacons 'be grave' and this little English phrase is translated by the Greek word semnos meaning venerable, that is, honorable or more specifically profoundly honored: - grave, honest. The deacon must not be 'doubletongued' and this English word (used this one time only in the New Testament) is translated by the Greek word dilogos meaning equivocal, that is, telling a different story: - double-tongued. In other words, the deacon and deaconesses of the Church must be men and women who are honored, that is, having an illustrious reputation among them and being very well respected by the other members of the Church. They must not be of the character to say one thing to one person concerning a matter and then say something completely different to another person concerning the same matter in the Church, just as the Psalmist David spoke against in the lyrics of his song with these words, "To his neighbor each one speaks words without use {or} worth {or} truth; with flattering lips and double heart [deceitfully] they speak." (Psalm 12:2) (Amplified Bible). The 'doubletongued' belongs to both of these the flatterer (Job 17:5) and the slanderer (Proverbs 10:18), both are equally dangerous, deceitful, and disgusting. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning deacons and their tongues, "They should be men who can be relied on for the exact truth of what they say, and for the exact fulfillment of their promises." When Paul writes here again, "not given to much wine" he means the same thing as he wrote above concerning Bishops and the drinking of wine, see Volume 25. When Paul writes here about the Deacon and money, he also means the same thing that was mentioned above concerning Bishops and money, again see Volune 25.
Just like the Bishop, the Deacon and Deaconess are responsible for gaurding and protecting the truth of the Gospel no matter the opposition from the enemy the devil, for it must be fought for diligently, dogmatically, and dynamically, just as the Apostle Jude spoke of with these words, "Beloved, my whole concern was to write to you in regard to our common salvation. [But] I found it necessary {and} was impelled to write you and urgently appeal to {and} exhort [you] to contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints [the faith which is that sum of Christian belief which was delivered verbally to the holy people of God]." (Jude 1:3) (Amplified Bible). So, Paul now writes these words to Timothy concerning the Deacons responsibility to the Gospel and to the Word of God, "Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience." (1 Timothy 3:9) (KJV). The English word 'holding' that begins this verse is translated by the Greek word echō which is a primary verb meaning to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession, ability, contiguity, relation or condition): The English word 'mystery' is translated by the Greek word mustērion meaning (to shut the mouth); a secret or “mystery” (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites): - mystery.
The English word 'faith' is translated by the Greek word pistis meaning persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity. Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say concering this, "It means that which had been concealed, or hidden, but which was now revealed. The word 'faith' here, is synonymous with 'the Gospel;' and the sense is, that he should hold firmly the great doctrines of the Christian religion which had been so long concealed from people, but which were now revealed. The reason is obvious. Though not a preacher, yet his influence and example would be great, and a man who held material error ought not to be in office." The little English phrase 'a pure' is translated by the Greek word katharos meaning clean (literally or figuratively): - clean, clear, pure. The English word 'conscience' is translated by the Greek word suneidēsis meaning co-perception, that is, moral consciousness: - conscience. In other words, the Deacon or Deaconess must be conscious or aware of their sins that offend and break the heart of God the Father and be faithful and consistent in confessing them to Him for forgiveness and cleansing. They must be of a clean conscience before entering into their service of our Lord Jesus Christ and they/we should always have a feeling of shame when they/we do, think, or say something that offends and breaks the heart of our Heavenly Father.
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Saturday, May 12, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 27
Paul Details to Timothy the Qualifications of Leaders in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ Part 4
1 Timothy 3:6-7 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. KJV
In the last two verses we saw how Paul described to Timothy the prospective Bishops home life with his wife and children and how that knowledge of such a home life was necessary to know of in order that the potential leader of the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ would be of the qualities needed to lead and govern the Christian brothers and sisters of Christ Body with the same authority and respect that he would receive from his earthly family, but now Paul considers the length of time the potential Bishop has been a redeemed, regenerated, and reborn son of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ being cautious of them being relatively new believers as he declared to Timothy with these words, "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil." (1 Timothy 3:6) (KJV). The little English phrase 'a novice' is translated by the Greek word neophutos which is potentially where we get our English word neophyte and it is used this one time only in the entire New Testament, it means newly planted, that is, (figuratively) a young convert.
In other words, Paul speaks of explicitly forbidding any new believer from being appointed to such a high office in the Church of Christ. A new believer in Christ is still not yet learned in the Scripture and he has not learned discipline and how to respond to afflictions and persecutions rightly. The English phrase 'being lifted up with pride' is translated by one Greek word tuphoō meaning to envelop with smoke, that is, (figuratively) to inflate with self conceit, be puffed up: - high-minded, be lifted up with pride, be proud. In other words, a novice or new convert is more likely to become puffed up or inflated at being given such a high position in the Church of God with so much authority and power, such as access and control over all of the Churches finances, facilities, and faculty (that is, work staff and other people in the Church). Therefore, he would be more likely to abuse this authority by being lifted up with pride and misappropriate the Churches human resources and financial resources, even to the point of stealing from the Church coffers and asserting his authority over others in the Church to become complicit with such dealings.
The little English phrase 'he fall' is translated by one Greek word empiptō meaning to fall on, that is, (literally) be entrapped by, or (figuratively) be overwhelmed with: - fall among (into). The little English phrase 'the condemnation' is translated by the Greek word krima meaning simply a decision (the function or the effect, for or against [“crime”]): - judgment. In other words, the Bishop that becomes puffed up or inflated with his own self elevation will do things to hurt other brothers and sisters of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and thereby causing such a great wound in that particular Body of Believers that often times becomes hard to heal from and in so doing causes the entire Body to become dissolved, dismantled, and destroyed, just as the devil was lifted up in like manner and persuaded one-third (1/3) of the holy angels in heaven to rebel with him, leading to his and their eternal destruction in the lake of fire, as it is written, "Then the devil who had led them astray [deceiving and seducing them] was hurled into the fiery lake of burning brimstone, where the beast and false prophet were; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever (through the ages of the ages)." (Revelation 20:10) (Amplified Bible).
Paul now declares to Timothy how this potential leader in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ must be looked upon by outsiders as he says with these words, "Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." (1 Timothy 3:7) (KJV). When Paul says here, 'he must have a good report of them which are without', he does not mean that his life before conversion to Christ was in some manner exemplary (for no one can say this), but what he means here is that the person should have a life (after conversion) that brings about a 'good report', that is, evidence given of him being honest in his business dealings, not sleeping with other mens wives, or not allowing himself to be compromised in any capacity that would bring hurt or harm to others. Paul knows that many outside of the Body of Christ will hate and despise we believers, but he knows that the Bishop of Christ Church must command the respect of the outside world in order to lead his Church into the missions that our Lord Jesus Christ commands, just as Paul declared to the Church @ Thessalonia with these words of wisdom, "To make it your ambition {and} definitely endeavor to live quietly {and} peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you, So that you may bear yourselves becomingly {and} be correct {and} honorable {and} command the respect of the outside world, being dependent on nobody [self-supporting] {and} having need of nothing." (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12) (Amplified Bible).
Here is what Albert Barnes has to say concerning this matter of the Bishop and those outside of Christ, "The idea is, that he must have a fair reputation with them for integrity of character. His life must be in their view upright. He must not be addicted to anything which they regard as inconsistent with good morals. His deportment must be such that they shall regard it as not inconsistent with his profession. He must be true and just and honest in his dealings with his fellow-men, and so live that they cannot say that he has wronged them. He must not give occasion for scandal or reproach in his contact with the other sex, but must be regarded as a man of a pure life and of a holy walk." When Paul writes here, 'lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil', he means that the devil will use the adultery, the shady business deals, and all the other indecent or improper acts of the Bishop to cause the Gospel of Christ to be rejected, rebuked, and refused by those outside of the Church. Here again is what Albert Barnes has to say concerning this matter, "That is, in such a way as to bring dishonor on the ministerial character. His life will be such as to give people occasion to reproach the cause of religion. The snare which the devil lays to entrap and ruin the ministers of the Gospel and all good people. The snare to which reference is here made, is that of 'blasting the character and influence of the minister of the Gospel.' The idea is, that Satan lays this snare so to entangle him as to secure this object, and the means which he uses is the vigilance and suspicion of those who are out of the Church. If there is anything of this kind in the life of a minister which they can make use of, they will be ready to do it. Hence, the necessity on his part of an upright and blameless life. Satan is constantly aiming at this thing; the world is watching for it, and if the minister has any 'propensity' which is not in entire accordance with honesty, Satan will take advantage of it and lead him into the snare."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
1 Timothy 3:6-7 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. KJV
In the last two verses we saw how Paul described to Timothy the prospective Bishops home life with his wife and children and how that knowledge of such a home life was necessary to know of in order that the potential leader of the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ would be of the qualities needed to lead and govern the Christian brothers and sisters of Christ Body with the same authority and respect that he would receive from his earthly family, but now Paul considers the length of time the potential Bishop has been a redeemed, regenerated, and reborn son of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ being cautious of them being relatively new believers as he declared to Timothy with these words, "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil." (1 Timothy 3:6) (KJV). The little English phrase 'a novice' is translated by the Greek word neophutos which is potentially where we get our English word neophyte and it is used this one time only in the entire New Testament, it means newly planted, that is, (figuratively) a young convert.
In other words, Paul speaks of explicitly forbidding any new believer from being appointed to such a high office in the Church of Christ. A new believer in Christ is still not yet learned in the Scripture and he has not learned discipline and how to respond to afflictions and persecutions rightly. The English phrase 'being lifted up with pride' is translated by one Greek word tuphoō meaning to envelop with smoke, that is, (figuratively) to inflate with self conceit, be puffed up: - high-minded, be lifted up with pride, be proud. In other words, a novice or new convert is more likely to become puffed up or inflated at being given such a high position in the Church of God with so much authority and power, such as access and control over all of the Churches finances, facilities, and faculty (that is, work staff and other people in the Church). Therefore, he would be more likely to abuse this authority by being lifted up with pride and misappropriate the Churches human resources and financial resources, even to the point of stealing from the Church coffers and asserting his authority over others in the Church to become complicit with such dealings.
The little English phrase 'he fall' is translated by one Greek word empiptō meaning to fall on, that is, (literally) be entrapped by, or (figuratively) be overwhelmed with: - fall among (into). The little English phrase 'the condemnation' is translated by the Greek word krima meaning simply a decision (the function or the effect, for or against [“crime”]): - judgment. In other words, the Bishop that becomes puffed up or inflated with his own self elevation will do things to hurt other brothers and sisters of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and thereby causing such a great wound in that particular Body of Believers that often times becomes hard to heal from and in so doing causes the entire Body to become dissolved, dismantled, and destroyed, just as the devil was lifted up in like manner and persuaded one-third (1/3) of the holy angels in heaven to rebel with him, leading to his and their eternal destruction in the lake of fire, as it is written, "Then the devil who had led them astray [deceiving and seducing them] was hurled into the fiery lake of burning brimstone, where the beast and false prophet were; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever (through the ages of the ages)." (Revelation 20:10) (Amplified Bible).
Paul now declares to Timothy how this potential leader in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ must be looked upon by outsiders as he says with these words, "Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." (1 Timothy 3:7) (KJV). When Paul says here, 'he must have a good report of them which are without', he does not mean that his life before conversion to Christ was in some manner exemplary (for no one can say this), but what he means here is that the person should have a life (after conversion) that brings about a 'good report', that is, evidence given of him being honest in his business dealings, not sleeping with other mens wives, or not allowing himself to be compromised in any capacity that would bring hurt or harm to others. Paul knows that many outside of the Body of Christ will hate and despise we believers, but he knows that the Bishop of Christ Church must command the respect of the outside world in order to lead his Church into the missions that our Lord Jesus Christ commands, just as Paul declared to the Church @ Thessalonia with these words of wisdom, "To make it your ambition {and} definitely endeavor to live quietly {and} peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you, So that you may bear yourselves becomingly {and} be correct {and} honorable {and} command the respect of the outside world, being dependent on nobody [self-supporting] {and} having need of nothing." (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12) (Amplified Bible).
Here is what Albert Barnes has to say concerning this matter of the Bishop and those outside of Christ, "The idea is, that he must have a fair reputation with them for integrity of character. His life must be in their view upright. He must not be addicted to anything which they regard as inconsistent with good morals. His deportment must be such that they shall regard it as not inconsistent with his profession. He must be true and just and honest in his dealings with his fellow-men, and so live that they cannot say that he has wronged them. He must not give occasion for scandal or reproach in his contact with the other sex, but must be regarded as a man of a pure life and of a holy walk." When Paul writes here, 'lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil', he means that the devil will use the adultery, the shady business deals, and all the other indecent or improper acts of the Bishop to cause the Gospel of Christ to be rejected, rebuked, and refused by those outside of the Church. Here again is what Albert Barnes has to say concerning this matter, "That is, in such a way as to bring dishonor on the ministerial character. His life will be such as to give people occasion to reproach the cause of religion. The snare which the devil lays to entrap and ruin the ministers of the Gospel and all good people. The snare to which reference is here made, is that of 'blasting the character and influence of the minister of the Gospel.' The idea is, that Satan lays this snare so to entangle him as to secure this object, and the means which he uses is the vigilance and suspicion of those who are out of the Church. If there is anything of this kind in the life of a minister which they can make use of, they will be ready to do it. Hence, the necessity on his part of an upright and blameless life. Satan is constantly aiming at this thing; the world is watching for it, and if the minister has any 'propensity' which is not in entire accordance with honesty, Satan will take advantage of it and lead him into the snare."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Saturday, May 5, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 26
Paul Details to Timothy the Qualifications of Leaders in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ Part 3
1 Timothy 3:4-5 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God?) KJV
Next the Apostle Paul focuses on what transpires in the home of a man who would seek the office of Bishop in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and declares these words to Brother Timothy regarding what must be evident for such a pursuit, "One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;" (1 Timothy 3:4) (KJV). The little English phrase 'one that ruleth' is translated by one Greek word proistēmi which means to stand before, that is, (in rank) to preside over - maintain, be over, rule. This English word 'subjection' is translated by the Greek word hupotagē and it means subordination: - that is, to subordinate; reflexively to obey: - be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, be in subjection to, submit self unto. The English word 'gravity' is translated by the Greek word semnotēs which means venerableness or honorable, that is, probity: which means complete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles; gravity, honesty.
In other words, the prospective Bishop of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ should be in control of his home life, that is, his family and not be unaware of the activities of his children living under his roof. In presiding over them, he is to be in command of them not be just a harsh or strict disciplinary, but his command likewise must proceed from a place of having the respect of his children, which will then lead them to obedience, for they will not want to do things that would hurt and disappoint their Father and bring reproach upon him and their family, just such a man was Abraham even as the Lord God Himself said of him with these words, "For I have known (chosen, acknowledged) him [as My own], so that he may teach {and} command his children and the sons of his house after him to keep the way of the Lord and to do what is just and righteous, so that the Lord may bring Abraham what He has promised him." (Genesis 18:19) (Amplified Bible). Here is what Adam Clarke said concerning the prospective Bishop ruling over his household, "One who has the command, of his own house, not by sternness, severity, and tyranny, but with all gravity; governing his household by rule, every one knowing his own place, and each doing his own work, and each work having the proper time assigned for its beginning and end. This is a maxim of common sense; no family can be prosperous that is not under subjection, and no person can govern a family but the head of it, the husband, who is, both by nature and the appointment of God, the head or governor of his own house."
Paul with this next verse answers why the qualifications in the previous verse are necessary declaring these words, "(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God?)" (1 Timothy 3:5) (KJV). The little English phrase 'shall he take care of' is translated by one Greek word epimeleomai which means simply to care for (physically or otherwise): - take care of. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of this entire verse 5, "This is a beautiful and striking argument. A Church resembles a family. It is, indeed, larger, and there is a greater variety of dispositions in it than there is in a family. The authority of a minister of the Gospel in a Church is also less absolute than that of a father. But still there is a striking resemblance. The Church is made up of an assemblage of brothers and sisters. They are banded together for the same purposes, and have a common object to aim at. They have common feelings and common needs. They have sympathy, like a family, with each other in their distresses and afflictions. The government of the Church also is designed to be 'paternal.' It should be felt that he who presides over it has the feelings of a father; that he loves all the members of the great family; that he has no prejudices, no partialities, no selfish aims to gratify.
Now, if a man cannot govern his own family well; if he is severe, partial, neglectful, or tyrannical at home, how can he be expected to take charge of the more numerous 'household of faith' with proper views and feelings? If, with all the natural and strong ties of affection which bind a father to his own children; if, when they are few comparatively in number, and where his eye is constantly upon them, he is unable to govern them aright, how can he be expected to preside in a proper manner over the larger household where he will be bound with comparatively feebler ties, and where he will be exposed more to the influence of passion, and where he will have a much less constant opportunity of supervision? Confucius, as quoted by Doddridge, has a sentiment strikingly resembling that before us: 'It is impossible that he who knows not how to govern and reform his own family, should rightly govern and reform a people.' We may remark, also, in this verse, a delicate and beautiful use of words by the Apostle to prevent the possibility of misapprehension. While he institutes a comparison between the government of a family and that of the Church, he guards against the possibility of it being supposed that he would countenance 'arbitrary' authority in the Church, even such authority as a father must of necessity employ in his own family. Hence, he uses different words. He speaks of the father as 'ruling; over his own family, or 'presiding over it - prostēnai; he describes the minister of religion as 'having a tender care for the Church' - epimelēsetai."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
1 Timothy 3:4-5 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God?) KJV
Next the Apostle Paul focuses on what transpires in the home of a man who would seek the office of Bishop in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and declares these words to Brother Timothy regarding what must be evident for such a pursuit, "One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;" (1 Timothy 3:4) (KJV). The little English phrase 'one that ruleth' is translated by one Greek word proistēmi which means to stand before, that is, (in rank) to preside over - maintain, be over, rule. This English word 'subjection' is translated by the Greek word hupotagē and it means subordination: - that is, to subordinate; reflexively to obey: - be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, be in subjection to, submit self unto. The English word 'gravity' is translated by the Greek word semnotēs which means venerableness or honorable, that is, probity: which means complete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles; gravity, honesty.
In other words, the prospective Bishop of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ should be in control of his home life, that is, his family and not be unaware of the activities of his children living under his roof. In presiding over them, he is to be in command of them not be just a harsh or strict disciplinary, but his command likewise must proceed from a place of having the respect of his children, which will then lead them to obedience, for they will not want to do things that would hurt and disappoint their Father and bring reproach upon him and their family, just such a man was Abraham even as the Lord God Himself said of him with these words, "For I have known (chosen, acknowledged) him [as My own], so that he may teach {and} command his children and the sons of his house after him to keep the way of the Lord and to do what is just and righteous, so that the Lord may bring Abraham what He has promised him." (Genesis 18:19) (Amplified Bible). Here is what Adam Clarke said concerning the prospective Bishop ruling over his household, "One who has the command, of his own house, not by sternness, severity, and tyranny, but with all gravity; governing his household by rule, every one knowing his own place, and each doing his own work, and each work having the proper time assigned for its beginning and end. This is a maxim of common sense; no family can be prosperous that is not under subjection, and no person can govern a family but the head of it, the husband, who is, both by nature and the appointment of God, the head or governor of his own house."
Paul with this next verse answers why the qualifications in the previous verse are necessary declaring these words, "(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God?)" (1 Timothy 3:5) (KJV). The little English phrase 'shall he take care of' is translated by one Greek word epimeleomai which means simply to care for (physically or otherwise): - take care of. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of this entire verse 5, "This is a beautiful and striking argument. A Church resembles a family. It is, indeed, larger, and there is a greater variety of dispositions in it than there is in a family. The authority of a minister of the Gospel in a Church is also less absolute than that of a father. But still there is a striking resemblance. The Church is made up of an assemblage of brothers and sisters. They are banded together for the same purposes, and have a common object to aim at. They have common feelings and common needs. They have sympathy, like a family, with each other in their distresses and afflictions. The government of the Church also is designed to be 'paternal.' It should be felt that he who presides over it has the feelings of a father; that he loves all the members of the great family; that he has no prejudices, no partialities, no selfish aims to gratify.
Now, if a man cannot govern his own family well; if he is severe, partial, neglectful, or tyrannical at home, how can he be expected to take charge of the more numerous 'household of faith' with proper views and feelings? If, with all the natural and strong ties of affection which bind a father to his own children; if, when they are few comparatively in number, and where his eye is constantly upon them, he is unable to govern them aright, how can he be expected to preside in a proper manner over the larger household where he will be bound with comparatively feebler ties, and where he will be exposed more to the influence of passion, and where he will have a much less constant opportunity of supervision? Confucius, as quoted by Doddridge, has a sentiment strikingly resembling that before us: 'It is impossible that he who knows not how to govern and reform his own family, should rightly govern and reform a people.' We may remark, also, in this verse, a delicate and beautiful use of words by the Apostle to prevent the possibility of misapprehension. While he institutes a comparison between the government of a family and that of the Church, he guards against the possibility of it being supposed that he would countenance 'arbitrary' authority in the Church, even such authority as a father must of necessity employ in his own family. Hence, he uses different words. He speaks of the father as 'ruling; over his own family, or 'presiding over it - prostēnai; he describes the minister of religion as 'having a tender care for the Church' - epimelēsetai."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 25
Paul Details to Timothy the Qualifications of Leaders in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ Part 2
1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; KJV
Paul in continuing his instruction to Brother Timothy concerning the requirements a man must meet before he is allowed, admitted, and approved for the office of Bishop in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ begins his next list with one (1) positive quality the man must have and five (5) negative qualities he should not have in order to be a good steward of the Gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ by writing these words to Timothy, "Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;" (1 Timothy 3:3) (KJV). The first (1st) of the five (5) negations begins with the little English phrase 'given to wine' which is translated by one Greek word paroinos (only used here and one other place (Titus 1:7) in the entire New Testament) meaning staying near wine, that is, tippling (a toper): that is, one who drinks wine to excess becoming a danger to himself and to others. In other words, the Apostle Paul by command from God is strictly prohibiting the approval of any man to the office of Bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ who makes the drinking of wine a habit that has become unmanageable and causes himself and others literal harm and more importantly spiritual harm.
Paul believed that the use of wine was not bad or wrong or evil, for it had been used for many years to help the infirmities of those suffering from certain ailments, just as he prescribed to this same Timothy later on in this same letter with these words, "Drink water no longer exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses." (1 Timothy 5:23) (Amplified Bible). Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning the use of wine, "It cannot be inferred, from the use of the word here, that wine was absolutely and entirely prohibited; for the word does not properly express that idea. It means that one who is in the habit of drinking wine, or who is accustomed to sit with those who indulge in it, should not be admitted to the ministry. The way in which the Apostle mentions the subject here would lead us fairly to suppose that he did not mean to commend its use in any sense; that he regarded its use as dangerous, and that he would wish the ministers of religion to avoid it altogether. In regard to its use at all, except at the communion or as a medicine, it may be remarked, that a minister will do no injury to himself or others by letting it entirely alone; he may do injury by indulging in it."
The second (2nd) negation Paul list here for Timothy is the little English phrase 'no stiker' and it is translated by the Greek word plēktēs which means a smiter, that is, pugnacious (quarrelsome): that is, one known to inflict with (calamity): i.e. who is ready and able to resort to force or violence. Simply, Paul declares such a violent man as this unqualified and disqualified to the office of Bishop in Christ Church, for it would be utterly disgraceful to portray the image that our Lord Jesus Christ is leading His Church with His Children apart of His Body by force or violence, for this is exactly what the Corinthian Church accepted from some of its so-called leaders and Paul rebuked the leaders and the followers for putting up with it with these words, "For you readily {and} gladly bear with the foolish, since you are so smart {and} wise yourselves!For you endure it if a man assumes control of your souls {and} makes slaves of you, or devours [your substance, spends your money] {and} preys upon you, or deceives {and} takes advantage of you, or is arrogant {and} puts on airs, or strikes you in the face." (2 Corinthians 11:19-20) (Amplified Bible).
The third (3rd) of the negations Paul writes to Timothy is that no Bishop should be 'greedy of filthy lucre' and this English phrase is translated by one Greek word aischrokerdēs meaning (gain); sordid: - that is, unethical or dishonest gain by virtue of fleecing the flock of God for their money and giving them nothing of spiritual value from the Word of God energized by the Spirit of God, such as many of these fleecers around today telling people to send them $100 and watch God multiply that back to them ten (10) times or ten (10) fold and lying to people about an ordinary handkerchief that if they send money one will be sent to them that will heal them of their sicknesses and diseases (complete lies and fleecing). Here is what Mathew Henry says of this negation, "One who is not greedy of filthy lucre, who does not make his ministry to truckle to any secular design or interest, who uses no mean, base, sordid ways of getting money, who is dead to the wealth of this world, lives above it, and makes it appear he is so." The fourth (4th) negation is similiar to the previous and that is 'not covetous' and this little English phrase is translated by the Greek word aphilarguros meaning unavaricious: - that is, to not be one so fond of and in love with money that he would do anything to get more and more, even fleecing the flock of God; immoderately desirous of acquiring wealth, just as Paul warns Timothy with even more detail later on in this very same letter with these words, "But those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish (useless, godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin {and} destruction and miserable perishing. For the love of money is a root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have been led astray {and} have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many acute [mental] pangs." (1 Timothy 6:9-10) (Amplified Bible).
The fifth (5th) and final of these five (5) negations is that the Bishop of the Church of Christ is 'not a brawler' and this little English phrase is translated by the Greek word amachos meaning some one who does not battle, that is, (figuratively) stir up controversy: - fight or strive with others. In other words, the Bishop should not be like the neighborhood bully going about seeing who he can physically fight, but instead he should be one who lives a peacable life doing no harm to others. Note: "This in no way means that a man of God should not defend himself against physical attack by any means necessary." The one positive quality the Apostle Paul places in this list of negatives is one impossible to come by in human effort, but is produced by the Power of God the Holy Spirit and that is to be 'patient' and this little English word is translated by the Greek word epieikēs which means appropriate, that is, (by implication) mild: - gentle, moderation, patient. It is a quality I must say is very hard for me to cultivate without the Power of God the Holy Spirit taking over and control for me, for my old nature abhors patience (this is why I love the Microwave so much, lol). King Solomon learned this over the years despite his many blunders and wrote these words when he was an older man, "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning of it, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." (Ecclesiastes 7:8) (Amplified Bible).
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; KJV
Paul in continuing his instruction to Brother Timothy concerning the requirements a man must meet before he is allowed, admitted, and approved for the office of Bishop in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ begins his next list with one (1) positive quality the man must have and five (5) negative qualities he should not have in order to be a good steward of the Gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ by writing these words to Timothy, "Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;" (1 Timothy 3:3) (KJV). The first (1st) of the five (5) negations begins with the little English phrase 'given to wine' which is translated by one Greek word paroinos (only used here and one other place (Titus 1:7) in the entire New Testament) meaning staying near wine, that is, tippling (a toper): that is, one who drinks wine to excess becoming a danger to himself and to others. In other words, the Apostle Paul by command from God is strictly prohibiting the approval of any man to the office of Bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ who makes the drinking of wine a habit that has become unmanageable and causes himself and others literal harm and more importantly spiritual harm.
Paul believed that the use of wine was not bad or wrong or evil, for it had been used for many years to help the infirmities of those suffering from certain ailments, just as he prescribed to this same Timothy later on in this same letter with these words, "Drink water no longer exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses." (1 Timothy 5:23) (Amplified Bible). Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning the use of wine, "It cannot be inferred, from the use of the word here, that wine was absolutely and entirely prohibited; for the word does not properly express that idea. It means that one who is in the habit of drinking wine, or who is accustomed to sit with those who indulge in it, should not be admitted to the ministry. The way in which the Apostle mentions the subject here would lead us fairly to suppose that he did not mean to commend its use in any sense; that he regarded its use as dangerous, and that he would wish the ministers of religion to avoid it altogether. In regard to its use at all, except at the communion or as a medicine, it may be remarked, that a minister will do no injury to himself or others by letting it entirely alone; he may do injury by indulging in it."
The second (2nd) negation Paul list here for Timothy is the little English phrase 'no stiker' and it is translated by the Greek word plēktēs which means a smiter, that is, pugnacious (quarrelsome): that is, one known to inflict with (calamity): i.e. who is ready and able to resort to force or violence. Simply, Paul declares such a violent man as this unqualified and disqualified to the office of Bishop in Christ Church, for it would be utterly disgraceful to portray the image that our Lord Jesus Christ is leading His Church with His Children apart of His Body by force or violence, for this is exactly what the Corinthian Church accepted from some of its so-called leaders and Paul rebuked the leaders and the followers for putting up with it with these words, "For you readily {and} gladly bear with the foolish, since you are so smart {and} wise yourselves!For you endure it if a man assumes control of your souls {and} makes slaves of you, or devours [your substance, spends your money] {and} preys upon you, or deceives {and} takes advantage of you, or is arrogant {and} puts on airs, or strikes you in the face." (2 Corinthians 11:19-20) (Amplified Bible).
The third (3rd) of the negations Paul writes to Timothy is that no Bishop should be 'greedy of filthy lucre' and this English phrase is translated by one Greek word aischrokerdēs meaning (gain); sordid: - that is, unethical or dishonest gain by virtue of fleecing the flock of God for their money and giving them nothing of spiritual value from the Word of God energized by the Spirit of God, such as many of these fleecers around today telling people to send them $100 and watch God multiply that back to them ten (10) times or ten (10) fold and lying to people about an ordinary handkerchief that if they send money one will be sent to them that will heal them of their sicknesses and diseases (complete lies and fleecing). Here is what Mathew Henry says of this negation, "One who is not greedy of filthy lucre, who does not make his ministry to truckle to any secular design or interest, who uses no mean, base, sordid ways of getting money, who is dead to the wealth of this world, lives above it, and makes it appear he is so." The fourth (4th) negation is similiar to the previous and that is 'not covetous' and this little English phrase is translated by the Greek word aphilarguros meaning unavaricious: - that is, to not be one so fond of and in love with money that he would do anything to get more and more, even fleecing the flock of God; immoderately desirous of acquiring wealth, just as Paul warns Timothy with even more detail later on in this very same letter with these words, "But those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish (useless, godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin {and} destruction and miserable perishing. For the love of money is a root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have been led astray {and} have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many acute [mental] pangs." (1 Timothy 6:9-10) (Amplified Bible).
The fifth (5th) and final of these five (5) negations is that the Bishop of the Church of Christ is 'not a brawler' and this little English phrase is translated by the Greek word amachos meaning some one who does not battle, that is, (figuratively) stir up controversy: - fight or strive with others. In other words, the Bishop should not be like the neighborhood bully going about seeing who he can physically fight, but instead he should be one who lives a peacable life doing no harm to others. Note: "This in no way means that a man of God should not defend himself against physical attack by any means necessary." The one positive quality the Apostle Paul places in this list of negatives is one impossible to come by in human effort, but is produced by the Power of God the Holy Spirit and that is to be 'patient' and this little English word is translated by the Greek word epieikēs which means appropriate, that is, (by implication) mild: - gentle, moderation, patient. It is a quality I must say is very hard for me to cultivate without the Power of God the Holy Spirit taking over and control for me, for my old nature abhors patience (this is why I love the Microwave so much, lol). King Solomon learned this over the years despite his many blunders and wrote these words when he was an older man, "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning of it, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." (Ecclesiastes 7:8) (Amplified Bible).
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
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