Summary:
...Stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful, and should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. How shall we escape the wrath to come, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him. It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, Mat0404.
...As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
...If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God. (not speaking thine own words, Isa513) For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God. If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
...Who
then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make
ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat (spiritual
meat; the doctrine of Christ) in due season? Blessed is that servant,
whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. But strong meat
belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who
by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good
and evil.
...For
there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially
they of the circumcision (who seek righteousness not by faith,
but as it were by the works of the law, Rom0931): Whose mouths
must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which
they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. But if they had stood
in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then
they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the
evil of their doings. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy
of you, saying, This people
draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their
lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship
me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men, Mat1507-09.
...Wherefore
the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their
mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their
heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept
of
men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work
among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the
wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of
their prudent men shall be
hid. Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the
Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth
us? and who knoweth us?
Further reading:
(1) Let
a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards
of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards,
that a man be found faithful, 1Co0401,02; and should earnestly
contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of
old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace
of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God,
and our Lord Jesus Christ, Jude03: But as we were allowed of God
to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing
men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time
used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness;
God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor
yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles
of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth
her children, 1Th0204-07.
(2) The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord. Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord, Jer2328-32.
(3) For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him, Jhn0334. If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them, Isa0820. It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, Mat0404.
(4) But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he (Jesus) saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men, Eph0407,08.
(5) As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God (not speaking thine own words, Isa513); if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen, 1Pe0410,11.
(6) And
the things that thou hast heard of me (Paul) among many witnesses,
the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach
others also, 2Tm0202; being fully persuaded that, what he had
promised, he was able also to perform, Rom0421. Of these things
put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they
strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of
the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman
that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto
more ungodliness, 2Tm0214-16: And have no fellowship with the
unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it
is a shame even to speak of those things which are
done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made
manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light,
Eph0511-13.
(7) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Rom1008-15.
(8) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry, 2tM0402-05.
(9) I (the Lord) will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding, Jer0315. How shall we escape (the wrath to come, 1Th0110), if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him, Heb0203.
(10) Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free, Jhn0832; For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh (that which is outward, Rom0228), but by love serve one another, Gal0513. For, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation (or, outward shew, Luk1720m): Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you, Luk1720,21. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, Rom1017.
(11) Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat (spiritual meat, 1Co1003; cf.Exo1706: Doctrine of Christ, Heb1309) in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing, Luk1242,43. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil, Heb0514. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds, 2Jn0109-11.
(12) Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein, Heb1307-09.
(13) Set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I (Paul) had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision (who seek righteousness not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law, Rom0931): Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth, Tit0105-14.
(14) But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings, Jer2322.
(15) Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men, Mat1507-09. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, Mrk0707-08.
(16) For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord, 1Co0119-29.
(17) And I (Paul), brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory, 1Co0131-3008.
(18) A bishop then must be... patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 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?) 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, 1Tm0302-07.
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