Christ's Instructions

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271) 2Thess 2:15 . . Brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which
you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

The "traditions" to which Paul refers are in two categories: (1) word of
mouth, and (2) in writing. Seeing as how Paul and his contemporaries are no
longer available for personal appearances, then the only reasonably reliable
traditions in existence are the ones they left us in writing, i.e. the new
testament epistles.
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272) 2Thess 3:6-10 . . In the name of The Lord Jesus Christ, we command
you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live
according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know
how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with
you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it.

. . On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we
would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not
have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you
to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: If a man
will not work, he shall not eat.

People unemployed due to circumstances beyond their control are exempt
from that directive. It specifically targets what we here in the USA call a
bum: which Webster's defines as someone who sponges off others not
because they can't find work; but because they have an aversion to work;
viz: they avoid work as if it were an inconvenient imposition on their leisure
time.
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273) 2Thess 3:11-13 . .We hear that some among you are idle. They are not
busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord
Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you,
brothers, never tire of doing what is right.

I'm pretty sure that the "brothers" in that passage are church officers seeing
as how it speaks of "some among you" which would indicate the
congregation.

Some might not think that holding down a job qualifies as good Christianity
but it certainly does, especially when working for a living is categorized as
"doing what is right".

● 1John 3:7 . . Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who
does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
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274) 2Thess 3:14 . . If anyone does not obey our commands in this letter,
take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may
feel ashamed.

Back then when churches were small cells meeting in private homes rather
than auditoriums seating hundreds of people, it was easy for church officers
to hold their congregation's feet to the fire. Nowadays, church sizes are such
that officers haven't a clue what's going on in the lives of their membership
roles. As a result, modern churches are permeated with conduct unbecoming.

● 2Thess 3:15 . .Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a
brother.

Mandatory consequences were usually for the purpose of discipline; viz:
child rearing. So when officers ostracize one of Christ's followers, they
should keep in mind that the errant follower is one of their own: a sibling
around the table in God's home. So wayward followers shouldn't be
permanently culled from the herd as if they're the devil in disguise. They
aren't devils; no, they're just naughty kids that deserve grounding, so to
speak. (cf. 2Cor 2:6-11)

NOTE: Quite a bit of the material in the apostle Paul's letters to Timothy and
Titus contain written instructions for church officers; but as his instructions
are very likely of interest to seminary students on a path towards becoming
church officers; they bear repeating on the internet just in case one or more
wanna-bees happen to be looking in. If so, then please consider our
comments merely a primer, i.e. a taste of the really good stuff available
from seminary faculties.
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275) 1Tim 1:3-5 . . As I urged you when I went into Macedonia-- remain in
Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor
give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather
than godly edification which is in faith.

Compare 2Thess 2:15 where it says:

"So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were
taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us."

NOTE: The epistles of Timothy and Titus are sometimes called pastoral
epistles because Paul's instructions address mainly church managers rather
than congregations.
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276) 1Tim 2:8-9 . . I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting
up holy hands, without wrath and evil thoughts.

Holy hands are loyal hands. Other kinds of hands should be kept at one's side
till such a time as they qualify as true blue, thru and thru.

The Greek word for "wrath" means hot desire. It's sometimes translated
anger, indignation, and vengeance.

The idea is that a believer should never pray out of spite and/or use prayer
as a tool to hurt somebody's feelings. That is the ugliest abuse of the
privilege of prayer that I can possibly imagine. In my opinion, people who
pray out of spite are no different than slanderers, witches, sorcerers, and
voodoo priests.

(Especially annoying are people who can't keep a civil tongue in their heads,
and then have the nerve to say "you're in our prayers")
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277) 1Tim 2:9-10 . . In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in
modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or
gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becomes women professing piety)
with good works.

The Greek word for "sobriety" basically means soundness of mind; viz:
mature, sensible, and self controlled rather than impulsive.

Some folk, obsessed with asceticism, use that verse to prove it's wrong for
women to use cosmetics and dress themselves in current fashions. But the
passage doesn't forbid that. What it forbids is a woman putting a higher
priority on her appearance than her character.

The old adage "You can't judge a book by its cover" applies here as well as
in literature. I've met women with tattoos, studs in their tongues,
multicolored hair, fishnet stockings, outrageous earrings, tight-fitting concert
tee shirts, low-slung hip huggers, and black lipstick that were really peaches
while I've met elegant, neatly dressed women with horrible personalities.
They say a rose in any language is still a rose; yeah, well, a pig, no matter
how it's dressed, is still a pig whether in belly shirts and flip-flops or haute
couture.

● Prov 11:22 . . An attractive woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring
in a pig's snout. (cf. 1Pet 3:1-6)

The Greek word for "shamefacedness" is aidos means bashfulness, i.e.
diffidence; which is just the opposite of insolence, impudence, and
brazenness. Bashful people have a hard time looking people in the eye
because they are so shy, non-confrontational, timid, self conscious, and non
assertive. What we're looking at here relates to one of The Lord's beatitudes.

● Matt 5:3 . . Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.

That's a very comforting beatitude because it confirms that there's coming a
day when difficult people will be eradicated.
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278) 1Tim 2:11 . . Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire
submissiveness.

The Greek word for "submissiveness" basically refers to subordination; in
this case voluntary.

That word appears in a number of applications. In Matt 22:12 it means
tongue tied. In Mark 4:39 it means calm down. In 1Tim 5:18 it infers
suppression. In 1Tim 2:15 it means to negate, i.e. render invalid and/or
unworthy of consideration.

During my 80+ years on this planet; I've encountered quite a few women
that enjoy debating with men; and especially pointing out men's faults
and/or proving men wrong. I don't know why they're like that, I guess it's
just a female thing. But Christ doesn't condone it.

If 1Tim 2:11 is telling me anything at all it's that Christ doesn't want to see
Christian women debating, quarreling, or arguing with men in church; and
that includes Sunday school discussions. In point of fact, according to 1Cor
14:34-35, women aren't even allowed to ask a question in co-ed Sunday
school classes.

Gender equality is a big issue out in the world; but God forbid it should
become an issue in church because divine edicts trump human politics.

● Ps 16:11 . . Be still and know that I am God! I am exalted among the
nations, exalted on the earth.
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279) 1Tim 2:12-15 . . I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority
over a man, but to remain quiet.

The "my church" that Christ spoke of at Matt 16:18 isn't meant to be steered
by personal opinions, popular culture, and/or political correctness. He has
some say about it and his say is the final word.

In the "my church" males are the gender designated to captain the ships;
not the females. I don't trust a church supervised by female managers and
pastors. Why? Because it tells me that Christ isn't supreme among those
people; they've as much as voted him out.
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280) 1Tim 2:15 . . Women shall be preserved through the bearing of
children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.

In other words, it isn't necessary for women to be pastors, deacons, and/or
adult Sunday school teachers in order to serve Christ faithfully, loyally, and
effectively. Homemaking is just as high a calling as any in church.

Can a female church manager or a pastor; continue in faith, love, and
sanctity with self-restraint? In point of fact, it is a non sequitur to say a
female church manager or pastor continues in faith. If she did, she would be
neither a church manager nor a pastor. This is precisely why God rejected
Cain's offering. It was a perfectly good offering, and no doubt Cain had
brought God the very same thing in the past, but God rejected it that time
because Cain failed to offer it in faith. (Gen 4:7, Heb 11:4)
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281) 1Tim 3:2 . . An overseer, then, must be above reproach

The Greek word for "overseer" is basically refers to supervisors.

Why must they be above reproach? Because the work they do is a "good"
work (1Tim 3:1) but much good can be ruined by even a little wickedness.

● Ecc 10:1 . . Dead insects will cause even a bottle of perfume to stink! Yes,
an ounce of foolishness can outweigh a pound of wisdom and honor.

Before the wonders of modern chemistry, perfumes were made (and many
still are) from animal and vegetable sources. Those, being 100% organic in a
time when chemical preservatives didn't exists, could spoil if the perfumer
wasn't careful to keep his product protected from exposure to temperature,
insects, dirt, moisture, and other contaminants. All the skills and patience
and knowledge exercised in the making of expensive ointments could be
completely annulled by simply forgetting to put the cap (or the cork;
whatever) back on a jar.

Anyway, Ecc 10:1 certainly rings true in this day and age as Christianity's
credibility steadily diminishes because of its ongoing morality scandals,
embezzling, and deplorable cover-ups.
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282) 1Tim 3:2 . . An overseer, must be the husband of one wife

That rule is a bit vague. Some feel it says that a church officer can have
only one wife at a time; viz: not a polygamist; while others feel it says
that he can be married only once in a lifetime; viz: not a widower or a
divorced man.

Seeing as how this is debatable; I suggest letting church boards decide it
for themselves among themselves.
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283) 1Tim 3:2 . . An overseer, must be temperate

This kind of temperance relates to extremes of behavior or expression, e.g.
outbursts of hostility, rage, shouting, tantrums, militant demands, and
obnoxious remarks. In other words: an overseer has to be somebody not
easily provoked, i.e. mellow.
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284) 1Tim 3:2 . . An overseer, must be self controlled.

The Greek word translated self controlled also means circumspect; which
basically pertains to considering the possible ramifications of one's conduct,
i.e. prudence: the very opposite of an impulsive personality who throws
caution to the wind and doesn't stop to think about what they're doing.
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285) 1Tim 3:2 . . An overseer, must be respectable

The Greek word translated "respectable" basically means orderly, viz:
decorous.

Webster's defines decorous as marked by propriety; viz: correct; and
exhibiting good taste in conduct, language, or appearance. A decorous
person is-- among other things --neat, tidy, well-mannered, well-groomed,
and polite. They bathe often too.
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286) 1Tim 3:2 . . An overseer, must be hospitable

The Greek word translated "hospitable" basically means fond of guests.

In other words, church officers shouldn't be hermit types, or friendless
loners preferring solitude. Not that there's anything wrong with hermits and
loners; it's just that church officers are supposed to be shepherds, which
requires them to associate with the sheep entrusted to their care. A man
who doesn't mingle easily and comfortably really should consider taking a
position in church where he doesn't have to meet the public.
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287) 1Tim 3:2 . . An overseer, must be apt to teach

"apt to teach" is from a Greek word that basically means instructive, i.e.
didactic.

That word is tricky. It's sometimes translated "able to teach". That's okay I
guess, but I suspect it also refers to role models, i.e. people whose manner
of life exemplifies Christianity. In other words; their teaching is in shoe
leather rather than only in a classroom.
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288) 1Tim 3:2 . . An overseer, must not be addicted to wine

Church officers aren't forbidden alcohol; just too much alcohol.

"No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your
stomach and your frequent ailments." (1Tim 5:23)

A "little" wine can lead to a lot for someone with a predilection to imbibe. For
people like that, it's best to avoid wine altogether rather than risk becoming
a candidate for AA.

For church officers with health issues, I suggest consulting a doctor because
there are much better treatments available in our day than there were back
then.
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289) 1Tim 3:2 . . An overseer must not be pugnacious

Webster's defines pugnacious as militant, defensive, warlike, combative,
pushy, assertive, intimidating, scrappy, and belligerent.

Some men are natural-born bullies and others are ready to "take it outside"
at every challenge. With them, turning the other cheek is not an option.
Well; you sure don't want personalities like that on the board of your church
and/or helming a pulpit. Heaven forbid!
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290) 1Tim 3:2 . . An overseer must be gentle, non contentious

A good church officer isn't what might be called shrinking; but rather, he's
an affable, lenient, courageous man who selects his conflicts carefully.

For some people, every disagreement is an act of war: they're assertive,
reactive, defensive, and confrontational not just some of the time; but all
the time. They debate trivia, and give petty issues an amount of undivided
attention it doesn't deserve.

A man whose composure is not easily lost is a good choice to chair a Sunday
school class because there's always at least one or more hecklers, fault
finders, and/or know-it-all kibitzers in the room that are sure to try his
patience.
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