Second Helvetic Confession, Chapter 18
Of The Ministers of The Church, Their Institution and Duties
GOD USES MINISTERS IN THE BUILDING OF THE CHURCH
God has always used ministers for the gathering or establishing of a Church for himself, and for the governing and preservation of the same; and still he does, and always will, use them so long as the Church remains on earth. Therefore, the first beginning, institution, and office of ministers is a most ancient arrangement of God himself, and not a new one of men.
INSTITUTION AND ORIGIN OF MINISTERS
It is true that God can, by his power, without any means join to himself a Church from among men; but he preferred to deal with men by the ministry of men. Therefore ministers are to be regarded, not as ministers by themselves alone, but as the ministers of God, inasmuch as God effects the salvation of men through them.
THE MINISTRY IS NOT TO BE DESPISED
Hence we warn men to beware lest we attribute what has to do with our conversion and instruction to the secret power of the Holy Spirit in such a way that we make void the ecclesiastical ministry. For it is fitting that we always have in mind the words of the apostle: "How are they to believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? So faith comes from hearing, and hearing comes by the word of God" (Rom. 10: 14, 17). And also what the Lord said in the Gospel: "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives any one whom I send receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me" (John 13:20). Likewise a man of Macedonia, who appeared to Paul in a vision while he was in Asia, secretly admonished him, saying: "Come over to Macedonia and help us" (Acts 16:9). And in another place the same apostle said: "We are fellow workmen for God; you are God's tillage, God's building" (I Cor. 3:9).
Yet, on the other hand, we must beware that we do not attribute too much to ministers and the ministry; remembering here also the words of the Lord in the Gospel: "No one can come to me unless my Father draws him" (John 6:44), and the words of the apostle: "What then is Paul? What is Apollos? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but only God gives the growth" (I Cor. 3:5 ff.).
Scripture references for paragraph 3
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Romans 10:1414How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?
Romans 10:1717Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
John 13:2020Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever receives the one I send receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives the One who sent Me.”
Acts 16:99During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
1 Corinthians 3:99For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
John 6:4444“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.
1 Corinthians 3:5-235What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role.
6I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.
7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
8He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
9For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds.
11For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw,
13his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.
14If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.
15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames.
16Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
17If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
18Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.
19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”
20And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”
21Therefore, stop boasting in men. All things are yours,
22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future. All of them belong to you,
23and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
GOD MOVES THE HEARTS OF MEN
Therefore, let us believe that God teaches us by his word, outwardly through his ministers, and inwardly moves the hearts of his elect to faith by the Holy Spirit; and that therefore we ought to render all glory unto God for this whole favor. But this matter has been dealt with in the first chapter of this Exposition.
WHO THE MINISTERS ARE AND OF WHAT SORT GOD HAS GIVEN TO THE WORLD
And even from the beginning of the world God has used the most excellent men in the whole world (even if many of them were simple in worldly wisdom or philosophy, but were outstanding in true theology), namely, the patriarchs, with whom he frequently spike by angels. For the patriarchs were the prophets or teachers of their age whom God for this reason wanted to live for several centuries, in order that they might be, as it were, fathers and lights of the world. They were followed by Moses and the prophets renowned throughout all the world.
CHRIST THE TEACHER
After these the heavenly Father even sent his only-begotten Son, the most perfect teacher of the world; in whom is hidden the wisdom of God, and which has come to us through the most holy, simple, and most perfect doctrine of all. For he chose disciples for himself whom he made apostles. These went out into the whole world, and everywhere gathered together churches by the preaching of the Gospel, and then throughout all the churches in the world they appointed pastors or teachers according to Christ's command; through their successors he has taught and governed the Church unto this day. Therefore, as God gave unto his ancient people the patriarchs, together with Moses and the prophets, so also to his people of the New Testament he sent his only-begotten Son, and, with him, the apostles and teachers of the Church.
MINISTERS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
Furthermore, the ministers of the new people are called by various names. For they are called apostles, prophets, evangelists, bishops, elders, pastors, and teachers (I Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11).
Scripture references for paragraph 7
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
1 Corinthians 12:2828And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.
Ephesians 4:1111And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
THE APOSTLES
The apostles did not stay in any particular place, but throughout the world gathered together different churches. When they were once established, there ceased to be apostles, and pastors took their place, each in his church.
PROPHETS
In former times the prophets were seers, knowing the future; but they also interpreted the Scriptures. Such men are also found still today.
EVANGELISTS
The writers of the history of the Gospel were called Evangelists; but they also were heralds of the Gospel of Christ; as Paul also commended Timothy: "Do the work of an evangelist" (II Tim. 4:5).
Scripture references for paragraph 10
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
2 Timothy 4:55But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
BISHOPS
Bishops are the overseers and watchmen of the Church, who administer the food and needs of the life of the Church.
PRESBYTERS
The presbyters are the elders and, as it were, senators and fathers of the Church, governing it with wholesome counsel.
PASTORS
The pastors both keep the Lord's sheepfold, and also provide for its needs.
TEACHERS
The teachers instruct and teach the true faith and godliness. Therefore, the ministers of the churches may now be called bishops, elders, pastors, and teachers.
PAPAL ORDERS
Then in subsequent times many more names of ministers in the Church were introduced into the Church of God. For some were appointed patriarchs, others archbishops, others suffragans; also, metropolitans, archdeacons, deacons, subdeacons, acolytes, exorcists, cantors, porters, and I know not what others, as cardinals, provosts, and priors; greater and lesser fathers, greater and lesser orders. But we are not troubled about all these about how they once were and are now. For us the apostolic doctrine concerning ministers is sufficient.
CONCERNING MONKS
Since we assuredly know that monks, and the orders or sects of monks, are instituted neither by Christ nor by the apostles, we teach that they are of no use to the Church of God, nay rather, are pernicious. For, although in former times they were tolerable (when they were hermits, earning their living with their own hands, and were not a burden to anyone, but like the laity were everywhere obedient to the pastors of the churches), yet now the whole world sees and knows what they are like. They formulate I know not what vows; but they lead a life quite contrary to their vows, so that the best of them deserves to be numbered among those of whom the apostle said: "We hear that some of you are living an irregular life, mere busybodies, not doing any work" etc. (II Thess. 3:11). Therefore, we neither have such in our churches, nor do we teach that they should be in the churches of Christ.
Scripture references for paragraph 16
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
2 Thessalonians 3:1111Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies.
MINISTERS ARE TO BE CALLED AND ELECTED
Furthermore, no man ought to usurp the honor of the ecclesiastical ministry; that is, to seize it for himself by bribery or any deceits, or by his own free choice. But let the ministers of the Church be called and chosen by lawful and ecclesiastical election; that is to say, let them be carefully chosen by the Church or by those delegated from the Church for that purpose in a proper order without any uproar, dissension and rivalry. Not any one may be elected, but capable men distinguished by sufficient consecrated learning, pious eloquence, simple wisdom, lastly, by moderation and an honorable reputation, according to that apostolic rule which is compiled by the apostle in I Tim., ch. 3, and Titus, ch. 1.
Scripture references for paragraph 17
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
1 Timothy 3:1-161This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.
2An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.
4An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.
5For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?
6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.
7Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
8Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.
9They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.
11In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.
12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.
13For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
14Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things
15in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.
Titus 1:1-161Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,
2in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.
3In His own time He has made His word evident in the proclamation entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior.
4To Titus, my true child in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
5The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
6An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination.
7As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.
8Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
9He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.
10For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision,
11who must be silenced. For the sake of dishonorable gain, they undermine entire households and teach things they should not.
12As one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
13This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith
14and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.
15To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled.
16They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.
ORDINATION
And those who are elected are to be ordained by the elders with public prayer and laying on of hands. Here we condemn all those who go off of their own accord, being nether chosen, sent, nor ordained (Jer., ch. 23). We condemn unfit ministers and those not furnished with the necessary gifts of a pastor.
In the meantime we acknowledge that the harmless simplicity of some pastors in the primitive Church sometimes profited the Church more than the many-sided, refined and fastidious, but a little too esoteric learning of others. For this reason we do not reject even today the honest, yet by no means ignorant, simplicity of some.
Scripture references for paragraph 18
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Jeremiah 23:1-401“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD.
2Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD.
3Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them, and I will return them to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and multiply.
4I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any go missing, declares the LORD.
5Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land.
6In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.
7So behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when they will no longer say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of the land of Egypt.’
8Instead they will say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought and led the descendants of the house of Israel up out of the land of the north and all the other lands to which He had banished them.’ Then they will dwell once more in their own land.”
9As for the prophets: My heart is broken within me, and all my bones tremble. I have become like a drunkard, like a man overcome by wine, because of the LORD, because of His holy words.
10For the land is full of adulterers— because of the curse, the land mourns and the pastures of the wilderness have dried up— their course is evil and their power is misused.
11“For both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in My house I have found their wickedness,” declares the LORD.
12“Therefore their path will become slick; they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD.
13“Among the prophets of Samaria I saw an offensive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led My people Israel astray.
14And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns his back on wickedness. They are all like Sodom to Me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.”
15Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says concerning the prophets: “I will feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.”
16This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.
17They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The LORD says that you will have peace,’ and to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, ‘No harm will come to you.’
18But which of them has stood in the council of the LORD to see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and obeyed it?
19Behold, the storm of the LORD has gone out with fury, a whirlwind swirling down upon the heads of the wicked.
20The anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has fully accomplished the purposes of His heart. In the days to come you will understand this clearly.
21I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied.
22But if they had stood in My council, they would have proclaimed My words to My people and turned them back from their evil ways and deeds.”
23“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away?”
24“Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.
25“I have heard the sayings of the prophets who prophesy lies in My name: ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’
26How long will this continue in the hearts of these prophets who prophesy falsehood, these prophets of the delusion of their own minds?
27They suppose the dreams that they tell one another will make My people forget My name, just as their fathers forgot My name through the worship of Baal.
28Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?” declares the LORD.
29“Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?”
30“Therefore behold,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who steal from one another words they attribute to Me.”
31“Yes,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and proclaim, ‘The LORD declares it.’”
32“Indeed,” declares the LORD, “I am against those who prophesy false dreams and retell them to lead My people astray with their reckless lies. It was not I who sent them or commanded them, and they are of no benefit at all to these people,” declares the LORD.
33“Now when this people or a prophet or priest asks you, ‘What is the burden of the LORD?’ you are to say to them, ‘What burden? I will forsake you, declares the LORD.’
34As for the prophet or priest or anyone who claims, ‘This is the burden of the LORD,’ I will punish that man and his household.
35This is what each man is to say to his friend and to his brother: ‘What has the LORD answered?’ or ‘What has the LORD spoken?’
36But refer no more to the burden of the LORD, for each man’s word becomes the burden, so that you pervert the words of the living God, the LORD of Hosts, our God.
37Thus you are to say to the prophet: ‘What has the LORD answered you?’ and ‘What has the LORD spoken?’
38But if you claim, ‘This is the burden of the LORD,’ then this is what the LORD says: Because you have said, ‘This is the burden of the LORD,’ and I specifically told you not to make this claim,
39therefore I will surely forget you and will cast you out of My presence, both you and the city that I gave to you and your fathers.
40And I will bring upon you everlasting shame and perpetual humiliation that will never be forgotten.”
PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS
To be sure, Christ's apostles call all who believe in Christ "priests," but not on account of an office, but because, all the faithful having been made kings and priests, we are able to offer up a spiritual sacrifices to God through Christ (Ex. 19:6; I Peter 2:9; Rev. 1:6). Therefore, the priesthood and the ministry are very different from one another. For the priesthood, as we have just said, is common to all Christians; not so is the ministry. Nor have we abolished the ministry of the Church because we have repudiated the papal priesthood from the Church of Christ.
Scripture references for paragraph 19
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Exodus 19:66And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”
1 Peter 2:99But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Revelation 1:66who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.
PRIESTS AND PRIESTHOOD
Surely in the new covenant of Christ there is no longer any such priesthood as was under the ancient people; which had an external anointing, holy garments, and very many ceremonies which were types of Christ, who abolished them all by this coming and fulfilling them. But he himself remains the only priest forever, and lest we derogate anything form him, we do not impart the name of priest to any minister. For the Lord himself did not appoint any priests in the Church of the New Testament who, having received authority from the suffragan, may daily offer up the sacrifice that is, the very flesh and blood of the Lord, for the living and the dead, but ministers who may teach and administer the sacraments.
THE NATURE OF THE MINISTERS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
Paul explains simply and briefly what we are to think of the ministers of the New Testament or of the Christian Church, and what we are to attribute to them. "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God" II Cor. 4:1). Therefore, the apostle wants us to think of ministers as ministers. Now the apostle calls them rowers, who have their eyes fixed on the coxswain, and so men who do not live for themselves or according to their own will, but for others--namely, their masters, upon whose command they altogether depend. For in all his duties every minister of the Church is commanded to carry out only what he has received in commandment from his Lord, and not to indulge his own free choice. And in this case it is expressly declared who is the Lord, namely, Christ; to whom the ministers are subject in all the affairs of the ministry.
Scripture references for paragraph 21
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
2 Corinthians 4:11Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart.
MINISTERS AS STEWARDS OF THE MYSTERIES OF GOD
Moreover, to the end that he might expound the ministry more fully, the apostle adds that ministers of the Church are administrators and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now in may passages, especially in Eph., ch. 3, Paul called the mysteries of God the Gospel of Christ. And the sacraments of Christ are also called mysteries by the ancient writers. Therefore for this purpose are the ministers of the Church called--namely, to preach the Gospel of Christ to the faithful, and to administer the sacraments. We read, also, in another place in the Gospel, of "the faithful and wise steward," whom "his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time" (Luke 12:42). Again, elsewhere in the Gospel a man takes a journey in a foreign country and, leaving his house, gives his substance and authority over it to his servants, and to each his work.
Scripture references for paragraph 22
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Ephesians 3:1-211For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles...
2Surely you have heard about the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
3that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.
4In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
5which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
6This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.
7I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power.
8Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
10His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
11according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.
13So I ask you not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
14... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
16I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,
17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth
19of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20Now to Him who is able to do so much more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,
21to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Luke 12:4242And the Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their portion at the proper time?
THE POWER OF MINISTERS OF THE CHURCH
Now, therefore, it is fitting that we also say something about the power and duty of the ministers of the Church. Concerning this power some have argued industriously, and to it have subjected everything on earth, even the greatest things, and they have done so contrary to the commandment of the Lord who has prohibited dominion for this disciples and has highly commended humility (Luke 22:24 ff.; Matt. 18:3 f.; 20:25 ff.). There is, indeed, another power that is pure and absolute, which is called the power of right. According to this power all things in the whole world are subject to Christ, who is Lord of all, as he himself has testified when he said: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matt. 28:18), and again, "I am the first and the last, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of Hades and Death" (Rev. 1:18); also, "He has the key of David, which opens and no one shall shut, who shuts and no one opens" (Rev. 3:7).
Scripture references for paragraph 23
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Luke 22:24-7124A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them would be considered the greatest.
25So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors.
26But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves.
27For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves.
28You are the ones who have stood by Me in My trials.
29And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father has bestowed one on Me,
30so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.
32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
33“Lord,” said Peter, “I am ready to go with You even to prison and to death.”
34But Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”
35Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out without purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered.
36“Now, however,” He told them, “the one with a purse should take it, and likewise a bag; and the one without a sword should sell his cloak and buy one.
37For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about Me is reaching its fulfillment.”
38So they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” “That is enough,” He answered.
39Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him.
40When He came to the place, He told them, “Pray that you will not enter into temptation.”
41And He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, where He knelt down and prayed,
42“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
43Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.
44And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.
45When Jesus rose from prayer and returned to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.
46“Why are you sleeping?” He asked. “Get up and pray so that you will not enter into temptation.”
47While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him.
48But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?”
50And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.
51But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him.
52Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple officers, and elders who had come for Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against an outlaw?
53Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on Me. But this hour belongs to you and to the power of darkness.”
54Then they seized Jesus, led Him away, and took Him into the house of the high priest. And Peter followed at a distance.
55When those present had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.
56A servant girl saw him seated in the firelight and looked intently at him. “This man also was with Him,” she said.
57But Peter denied it. “Woman, I do not know Him,” he said.
58A short time later, someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.”
59About an hour later, another man insisted, “Certainly this man was with Him, for he too is a Galilean.”
60“Man, I do not know what you are talking about,” Peter replied. While he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
61And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word that the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”
62And he went outside and wept bitterly.
63The men who were holding Jesus began to mock Him and beat Him.
64They blindfolded Him and kept demanding, “Prophesy! Who hit You?”
65And they said many other blasphemous things against Him.
66At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, met together. They led Jesus into their Sanhedrin and said,
67“If You are the Christ, tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe.
68And if I ask you a question, you will not answer.
69But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”
70So they all asked, “Are You then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.”
71“Why do we need any more testimony?” they declared. “We have heard it for ourselves from His own lips.”
Matthew 18:3-353“Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me.
6But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
7Woe to the world for the causes of sin. These stumbling blocks must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!
8If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than to have two hands and two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire.
9And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
10See that you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven.
12What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?
13And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.
14In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
15If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven.
20For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!
23Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
24As he began the settlements, a debtor was brought to him owing ten thousand talents.
25Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned.
26Then the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Have patience with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’
27His master had compassion on him, forgave his debt, and released him.
28But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe me!’
29So his fellow servant fell down and begged him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you back.’
30But he refused. Instead, he went and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay his debt.
31When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and recounted all of this to their master.
32Then the master summoned him and declared, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave all your debt because you begged me.
33Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’
34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should repay all that he owed.
35That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
Matthew 20:1-341“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.
2He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
3About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing.
4‘You also go into my vineyard,’ he said, ‘and I will pay you whatever is right.’
5So they went. He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing.
6About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ he asked.
7‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. So he told them, ‘You also go into my vineyard.’
8When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last ones hired and moving on to the first.’
9The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius.
10So when the original workers came, they assumed they would receive more. But each of them also received a denarius.
11On receiving their pay, they began to grumble against the landowner.
12‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’
13But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Did you not agree with me on one denarius?
14Take your pay and go. I want to give this last man the same as I gave you.
15Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
16So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
17As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside and said,
18“Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death
19and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. And on the third day He will be raised to life.”
20Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and knelt down to make a request of Him.
21“What do you want?” He inquired. She answered, “Declare that in Your kingdom one of these two sons of mine may sit at Your right hand, and the other at Your left.”
22“You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” the brothers answered.
23“You will indeed drink My cup,” Jesus said. “But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to grant. These seats belong to those for whom My Father has prepared them.”
24When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.
25But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them.
26It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
27and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave—
28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
29As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him.
30And there were two blind men sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
31The crowd admonished them to be silent, but they cried out all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
32Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want Me to do for you?” He asked.
33“Lord,” they answered, “let our eyes be opened.”
34Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and at once they received their sight and followed Him.
Matthew 28:1818Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
Revelation 1:1818the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.
Revelation 3:77To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.
THE LORD RESERVES TRUE POWER FOR HIMSELF
This power the Lord reserves to himself, and does not transfer it to any other, so that he might stand idly by as a spectator while his ministers work. For Isaiah says, "I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David" (Isa. 22:22), and again, "The government will be upon his shoulders, but still keeps and uses his own power, governing all things.
Scripture references for paragraph 24
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Isaiah 22:2222I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
THE POWER OF THE OFFICE AND OF THE MINISTER
Then there is another power of an office or of ministry limited by him who has full and absolute power. And this is more like a service than a dominion.
THE KEYS
For a lord gives up his power to the steward in his house, and for that cause gives him the keys, that he may admit into or exclude from the house those whom his lord will have admitted or excluded. In virtue of this power the minister, because of his office, does that which the Lord has commanded him to do; and the Lord confirms what he does, and wills that what his servant has done will be so regarded and acknowledges, as if he himself had done it. Undoubtedly, it is to this that these evangelical sentences refer: "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matt. 16:19). Again, "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (John 20:23). But if the minister does not carry out everything as the Lord has commanded him, but transgresses the bounds of faith, then the Lord certainly makes void what he has done. Wherefore the ecclesiastical power of the ministers of the Church is that function whereby they indeed govern the Church of God, but yet se do all things in the Church as the Lord has prescribed in his Word. When those things are done, the faithful esteem them as done by the Lord himself. But mention has already been made of the keys above.
Scripture references for paragraph 26
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Matthew 16:1919I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
John 20:2323If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”
THE POWER OF MINISTERS IS ONE AND THE SAME, AND EQUAL
Now the one and an equal power or function is given to all ministers in the Church. Certainly, in the beginning, the bishops or presbyters governed the Church in common; no man lifted up himself above another, none usurped greater power or authority over his fellow-bishops. For remembering the words of the Lord: "Let the leader among you become as one who serves" (Luke 22:26), they kept themselves in humility, and by mutual services they helped one another in the governing and preserving of the Church.
Scripture references for paragraph 27
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Luke 22:2626But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves.
ORDER TO BE PRESERVED
Nevertheless, for the sake of preserving order some one of the ministers called the assembly together, proposed matters to be laid before it, gathered the opinions of the others, in short, to the best of man's ability took precaution lest any confusion should arise. Thus did St. Peter, as we read in The Acts of the Apostles, who nevertheless was not on that account preferred to the others, nor endowed with greater authority than the rest. Rightly then does Cyprian the Martyr say, in his De Simplicitate Clericorum: "The other apostles were assuredly what Peter was, endowed with a like fellowship of honor and power; but [his] primacy proceeds from unity in order that the Church may be shown to be one."
WHEN AND HOW ONE WAS PLACED BEFORE THE OTHERS
St. Jerome also in his commentary upon The Epistle of Paul to Titus, says something not unlike this: "Before attachment to persons in religion was begun at the instigation of the devil, the churches were governed by the common consultation of the elders; but after every one thought that those whom he had baptized were his own, and not Christ's, it was decreed that one of the elders should be chosen, and set over the rest, upon whom should fall the care of the whole Church, and all schismatic seeds should be removed." Yet St. Jerome does not recommend this decree as divine; for he immediately adds: "As the elders knew from the custom of the Church that they were subject to him who was set over them, so the bishops knew that they were subject to him who was set over them, so the bishops knew that they were above the elders, more from custom than from the truth of an arrangement by the Lord, and that they ought to rule the Church in common with them." Thus far St. Jerome. Hence no one can rightly forbid a return to the ancient constitution of the Church of God, and to have recourse to it before human custom.
THE DUTIES OF MINISTERS
The duties of ministers are various; yet for the most part they are restricted to two, in which all the rest are comprehended: to the teaching of the Gospel of Christ, and to the proper administration of the sacraments. For it is the duty of the ministers to gather together an assembly for worship in which to expound God's Word and to apply the whole doctrine to the care and use of the Church, so that what is taught may benefit the hearers and edify the faithful It falls to ministers, I say, to teach the ignorant, and to exhort; and to urge the idlers and lingerers to make progress in the way of the Lord. Moreover, they are to comfort and to strengthen the fainthearted, and to arm them against the manifold temptations of Satan; to rebuke offenders; to recall the erring into the way; to raise the fallen; to convince the gainsayers to drive the wolf away from the sheepfold of the Lord; to rebuke wickedness and wicked men wisely and severely; no to wink at nor to pass over great wickedness. And, besides, they are to administer the sacraments, and to commend the right use of them, and to prepare all men by wholesome doctrine to receive them; to preserve the faithful in a holy unity; and to check schisms; to catechize the unlearned, to commend the needs of the poor to the Church, to visit, instruct, and keep in the way of life the sick and those afflicted with various temptations. In addition, they are to attend to public prayers of supplications in times of need, together with common fasting, that is, a holy abstinence; and as diligently as possible to see to everything that pertains to the tranquility, peace and welfare of the churches.
But in order that the minister may perform all these things better and more easily, it is especially required of him that he fear God, be constant in prayer, attend to spiritual reading, and in all things and at all times be watchful, and by a purity of life to let his light to shine before all men.
DISCIPLINE
And since discipline is an absolute necessity in the Church and excommunication was once used in the time of the early fathers, and there were ecclesiastical judgments among the people of God, wherein this discipline was exercised by wise and godly men, it also falls to ministers to regulate this discipline for edification, according to the circumstances of the time, public state, and necessity. At all times and in all places the tule is to be observed that everything is to be done for edification, decently and honorably, without oppression and strife. For the apostle testifies that authority in the Church was given to him by the Lord for building up and not for destroying (II Cor. 10:8). And the Lord himself forbade the weeds to be plucked up in the Lord's field, because there would be danger lest the wheat also be plucked up with it (Matt. 13:29 f.).
Scripture references for paragraph 31
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
2 Corinthians 10:88For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
Matthew 13:29-5829‘No,’ he said, ‘if you pull the weeds now, you might uproot the wheat with them.
30Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat into my barn.’”
31He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man planted in his field.
32Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
33He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour, until all of it was leavened.”
34Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable.
35So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”
36Then Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
37He replied, “The One who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.
38The field is the world, and the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,
39and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
40As the weeds are collected and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age.
41The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom every cause of sin and all who practice lawlessness.
42And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
44The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls.
46When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.
47Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds of fish.
48When it was full, the men pulled it ashore. Then they sat down and sorted the good fish into containers, but threw the bad away.
49So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous,
50and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51Have you understood all these things?” “Yes,” they answered.
52Then He told them, “For this reason, every scribe who has been discipled in the kingdom of heaven is like a homeowner who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
53When Jesus had finished these parables, He withdrew from that place.
54Coming to His hometown, He taught the people in their synagogue, and they were astonished. “Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers?” they asked.
55“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
56Aren’t all His sisters with us as well? Where then did this man get all these things?”
57And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own household is a prophet without honor.”
58And He did not do many miracles there, because of their unbelief.
EVEN EVIL MINISTERS ARE TO BE HEARD
Moreover, we strongly detest the error of the Donatists who esteem the doctrine and administration of the sacraments to be either effectual or not effectual, according to the good or evil life of the ministers. For we know that the voice of Christ is to be heard, though it be out of the mouths of evil ministers; because the Lord himself said: "Practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do" (Matt. 23:3). We know that the sacraments are sanctified by the institution and the word of Christ, and that they are effectual to the godly, although they be administered by unworthy ministers. Concerning this matter, Augustine, the blessed servant of God, many times argued from the Scriptures against the Donatists.
Scripture references for paragraph 32
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Matthew 23:33So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
SYNODS
Nevertheless, there ought to be proper discipline among ministers. In synods the doctrine and life of ministers is to be carefully examined. Offenders who can be cured are to be rebuked by the elders and restored to the right way, and if they are incurable, they are to be deposed, and like wolves driven away from he flock of the Lord by the true shepherds. For, if they be false teachers, they are not to be tolerated at all. Neither do we disapprove of ecumenical councils, if they are convened according to the example of the apostles, for the welfare of the Church and not for its destruction.
THE WORKER IS WORTHY OF HIS REWARD
All faithful ministers, as good workmen, are also worthy of their reward, and do not sin when they receive a stipend, and all things that be necessary for themselves and their family. For the apostle shows in I Cor., ch. 9, and in I Tim., ch. 5, and elsewhere that these things may rightly be given by the Church and received by ministers. The Anabaptists, who condemn and defame ministers who live from their ministry are also refuted by the apostolic teaching.
Scripture references for paragraph 34
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
1 Corinthians 9:1-271Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord?
2Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
3This is my defense to those who scrutinize me:
4Have we no right to food and to drink?
5Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas?
6Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?
7Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not drink of its milk?
8Do I say this from a human perspective? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing?
9For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned?
10Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest.
11If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much for us to reap a material harvest from you?
12If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
13Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings?
14In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
15But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that something be done for me. Indeed, I would rather die than let anyone nullify my boast.
16Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
17If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.
18What then is my reward? That in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not use up my rights in preaching it.
19Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), to win those under the law.
21To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law.
22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.
26Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air.
27No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
1 Timothy 5:1-251Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,
2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
3Honor the widows who are truly widows.
4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
5The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers.
6But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.
7Give these instructions to the believers, so that they will be above reproach.
8If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, the wife of one man,
10and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.
11But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry,
12and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith.
13At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.
14So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.
15For some have already turned aside to follow Satan.
16If any believing woman has dependent widows, she must assist them and not allow the church to be burdened, so that it can help the widows who are truly in need.
17Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
18For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”
19Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
20But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.
21I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.
22Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
23Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
24The sins of some men are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment; but the sins of others do not surface until later.
25In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even the ones that are inconspicuous cannot remain hidden.
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