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Expanded Comments |
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| 1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. |
Desire the office – Service. R1891:6
Classes should elect only a consecrated, spirit-begotten child of God as an elder. R5941:4
In seeking this position let each one remember that there is danger of the development of pride, and the assumption of power. R5185:3
Not for personal glory, but to further the Lord's Cause. Q120:4
Of a bishop – Shepherd, overseer. R4502:6, 5185:3, 1891:6
Elder. R5793:4
Not an exalted position; a humbled, untitled servant of the church, caring for the interests of the sheep. R5793:3
The Apostles never used this term as an honorary title. R1523:6
If one properly attends to the shepherding of the flock, he will not have time for other interests. Those who have been called to the position of eldership amongst the Lord's people should consider this an honor and a privilege from the Lord. R5185:3
A good work – Any service we can render to the body of Christ is a blessed service. R1892:1
It is a noble service. R5793:3
If he approach this service from the standpoint of earnest desire to serve the flock, he should not be ashamed to rejoice that he has, to this extent, the spirit of the Lord. R4502:6
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| 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; |
Blameless – Of good character. R1892:1
In sympathy with high ideals, such as those represented in the Vow. R5983:4
Husband of one wife – Not more than one. F249[F249]
Not necessarily a married man, for both the Lord and the Apostle recommend the celibate state as preferable. R1892:1
Hospitality – Present day arrangements for public hotels, lodgings, etc., are calculated to hinder the development of the spirit of hospitality. R3432:1
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Heb. 13:2) R3432:1
Apt to teach – To have the teaching ability. Not all have the ability, the gift, of making things plain to others. R5699:4, 2741:5
Have ability as a teacher, explainer, expounder of the divine plan, and thus be able to assist the Lord's flock in word and in doctrine. F249
Ability to impart the truth to others in its own power and simplicity (not necessarily an orator.) R1720:5
Especially qualified; ensamples to the brethren in word, in conduct. R5940:2
Never manifests haughtiness, nor assumes an air of superiority. Is meek, lowly of heart, humble. R5699:4
A congregation should elect a brother as their representative, in the name of the Lord; when they recognize the Lord's authorization of him, and that he has the qualities fitting him for service according to the Divine Word. Q521:6
"Able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." (Titus 1:9) E284
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| 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; |
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| 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; |
Having his children in subjection – If someone has been derelict in his duty toward his children, he probably would be unwise or derelict in his counsels and his general ministries amongst the Lord's children in the ecclesia. F249
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| 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) |
Take care of – Preside over, look out for its interests, assisting as faithful stewards of God. R1892:1
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| 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
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Not a novice – A beginner, one young in the truth. R5956:5
An inexperienced or untried person. R1892:3
Some elect novices, contrary to the direction of the Lord's Word, thus doing harm both to the novice and to the class. Q519:3; R3012:2, 5941:4
Elders must be sufficiently well known in advance of selection to justify confidence in them. F248
A student of the Word, of cultivated thought, well founded and settled. Not a teacher of speculations and fancies, nor of Anglo-Israelism, Socialism, politics, astronomical theories, or other questions not of spiritual profit. R1720:6
No novice, either in doctrine or in speaking should be employed in any of the class extension work. Q526:4
Pride – Spiritual pride. R5956:5
Of the devil – Whose very existence is now denied by many. F609
Paul was a firm believer in a personal devil. R3165:6
Become, like Satan, ambitious to be great, thereby necessitating his abasement. R1892:3
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| 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. |
Have a good report – As respects honesty, uprightness, morality, truthfulness. F249; R1892:3
Into reproach – The reproach of hypocrisy. R1892:3
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| 8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; |
Deacons – Assistants. (Diaglott) R1892:3; 1891:6
Servant, or helper. F253
The Apostles never used this term as an honorary title. R1523:6
To be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre-- To be serious, not deceitful in speech, not being addicted to much wine, not eager for base gain. (Diaglott) R1892:3
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| 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. |
Mystery – Secret. (Diaglott) R1892:3
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| 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. |
Deacon – Signifies runner, attendant, servant. R2951:6
Found blameless – Of good reputation. F249
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| 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. |
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| 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. |
Ruling – Presiding. (Diaglott) R1892:3
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| 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. |
A good degree – A good reward. Q473:2
The confidence of the class. Q477:5
Deacons are elected for a special kind of work. If they have other talents, they should be encouraged to use them--and in time the class might choose them as elders. Q478:5; 473:2
A good degree of liberty, privilege, opportunity, preferment, and honor in the church by their faithfulness as deacons. Q244:T
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| 14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: |
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| 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou ougthest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. |
The house of God – Not the meeting-house, but the assembly itself. R4008:2
Church of the living God – Only one Church, not sects and parties, but this includes the saintly in all of these. "The Lord knoweth them that are his." (2 Tim. 2:19) R5067:1; Q755:4
Whom the Apostles styled saints. OV187:6
Christ is the Head, and every truly consecrated one who believes in him as his Saviour is a member. R1420:6
Not instituted until Jesus had presented himself as a sacrifice, that the merit of his sacrifice might be made applicable to all who would become members of his body. R5392:4
Pillar and ground – The pillar and support of the truth, the ground-work of the truth, is that on which the truth is based, and by which it is supported. Q719:5
The mission of the Church is to be a supporter of the truth, acting as pillars, now--and we shall ultimately be the foundation and agency of God's truth, in the Millennial Age. Q719:5
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| 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: who was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. |
Was manifest – Rendered apparent. E77
God gave his son. The son "gave himself for us." Truly they are in harmony. The love of the infinite God could neither be created nor purchased but it could be shown through the work of his son. R9:3*
Our Lord when on earth was in the fullest sense the Representative of the Father in the flesh. R5834:4
The Spirit of the Father was manifest in Jesus. R4306:6
In the flesh – There could never be a more complete manifestation of God to man than in the person of Christ when he was made flesh. E77; R5291:1
Jesus had the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. R5291:1
God was manifest in the flesh; first, in Adam; secondly in Jesus; and thirdly, He will be manifest in the ancient worthies. R5291:4; B136
The ancient worthies being resurrected perfect men, will be perfect images of God. In each one of these ancient worthies God will be manifest in the flesh. R5291:3; NS459:5
At the end of the thousand years all mankind loving righteousness will be fleshly images of God. R5294:2; B136
The Greek word sarx means flesh, simply and only. It does not mean sinful flesh. R1223:2
God is also manifest in the flesh of all consecrated believers. R455:5
Justified in the Spirit – Jesus was proved right--proved perfect; not made right. R5960:1
He was vindicated as being right. R440:3, 660:1
Making manifest God's justice, or righteousness. R1246:3
Seen of angels – The condemned angels have been learning much since the first test and sermon such as the lesson of Jesus' obedience and exaltation. (1 Pet. 3:18-20) R1679:6
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