Exploring Christ's Spiritual Laws

Webers.Home · Mar 22, 2019

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1Tim 3:10 . . And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as
deacons if they are beyond reproach.

The vetting process must of necessity include interviewing people who've
had experience with a candidate; for example:

"Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a
complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows
were being neglected in the daily distribution.

. . . And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It
is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve
tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good
repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
(Acts 6:1-4)

The men considered for deacons in that passage were not only above
average spiritually, but also "of good repute". In other words: men being
considered for deacons really ought to be required to provide some
character references.
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Webers.Home · Mar 23, 2019

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1Tim 3:11 . . In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of
respect; not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

Though an applicant for deacon may himself be a pious man, he's to be
disqualified if his wife's piety isn't on a par with his own.

I think that may be based upon Gen 2:18; where it's stated that a wife's
purpose is a supporting role rather than a starring role. An impious wife is
probably not going to be very enthusiastic about her pious husband's
devotion to the care and function of a church.
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Webers.Home · Mar 24, 2019

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1Tim 3:12-13 . . Let deacons be husbands of only one wife, and good
managers of their children and their own households.

Qualifications for deacons are very similar to those for the officers they
assist. (cf. 1Tim 3:2, 1Tim 3:4-6)
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Webers.Home · Mar 25, 2019

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1Tim 4:7a . . Have nothing to do with the worldly fantasies
of withered old women.

Paul isn't speaking of action comics and/or pulp novels that can be
purchased at venders like Barnes & Noble and Borders; but rather, of the
religious traditions that the seniors of every generation customarily pass
down to the young; thus perpetuating non Christian beliefs and practices.

The USA's indigenous cultural traditions would be a good example of this.
When a Native American becomes a Christian, the Bible's God expects them
to disown portions of their spiritual heritage, and let them go; not entirely of
course; but certain elements like contacting the spirits of one's deceased
ancestors would have to be scrubbed for sure.

This is a very sensitive issue and one where non-native Christians,
unschooled in Indigenous culture, seriously need to tread lightly. The White
Man's early attempts to completely wipe out everything Native American was
a terrible mistake that today's non-native Christians have got to be extra
careful not to repeat.
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Webers.Home · Mar 27, 2019

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1Tim 4:7b-8 . .Train yourself to be pious. For physical training is of some
value, but piety has value for all things, holding promise for both the present
life and the life to come.

I think what he's talking about is the development of good habits as opposed
to bad habits.

Physical training like baseball practice makes a player like Derek Jeter a whiz
at short stop. While his mind is deciding what best to do with the ball, his
body's reflexes automatically carry out its decision without Derek having to
think about it. That comes from conditioning. But Jeter's baseball ability is
only good for when he's playing baseball, not for everything he does in life;
while piety moderates everything, including one's conduct on the playing
field.
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Webers.Home · Mar 28, 2019

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1Tim 4:11 . . Command and teach these things.

I believe Paul was referring to everything he wrote in his letter; not just the
last few verses.
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Webers.Home · Mar 29, 2019

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1Tim 4:12 . . Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in
speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those
who believe.

It's commonly assumed that Paul's instructions were in reference to
Timothy's age; but I think it had more to do with his looks.

Some men age well; for instance the actor Rob Lowe. As of today, he's 55
years old; but honestly doesn't look it. He's one of those lucky guys who
seem to be forever 21.

I think Timothy was like that. He just didn't look old enough to take the reins
of a church, let alone an entire diocese. In other words: Timothy didn't look
the part so he was going to have to really mean business if he was to win
people's respect.
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Webers.Home · Mar 30, 2019

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1Tim 4:13 . . Focus upon the public reading of scripture, and to preaching
and teaching.

Public reading was necessary because of the scarcity of Bibles in those days.
All were hand-written; none were mass-produced like now. But even with
the ease of access to Bibles nowadays, the danger lies in Christians
becoming self-taught if church officers neglect to preach and teach. (cf. Eph
4:11-16)

Scripture in those days would have been pretty much limited to the Old
Testament since the New Testament's canon had not yet been compiled. The
Old Testament is very important because it is impossible for believers to
obtain a full understanding of Chrsit's mission and purpose without a
comprehensive knowledge of the Old Testament.

"And he said unto them, These are the words which I spoke unto you, while
I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the
law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me. Then
opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures."
(Luke 24:44-45)

"The holy scriptures are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith
which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly furnished
unto all good works." (2Tim 3:15-17)

"For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction,
that through perseverance and the encouragement of the scriptures we
might have hope." (Rom 15:4)
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Webers.Home · Mar 31, 2019

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1Tim 4:15-16 . . Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them,
so that everyone may see your progress.

A church officer can progress in only one of two directions. If he goes
downwards, as the Laodicean pastor of Rev 4:14-20; that's not progress,
that's regress; which Webster's defines as: movement backward to a
previous, and especially worse, or more primitive, state or condition.

This doesn't mean that a church's facility needs paint and its weeds sprayed
with Roundup. We're talking about an officer's personal spiritual condition.
He may be the head honcho of an illustrious, impressive, big-city church
campus, and still be in a condition of regression because it's not the outside
of a church that testifies to an officer's true spiritual condition, but rather,
his own insides; for example:

"You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on
the inside are full of dead men's bones and all kinds of impurity. In the same
way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you
are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." (Matt 23:27-28)

The koiné Greek word for "hypocrisy" is hupokrisis (hoop-ok'-ree-sis) which
means acting under a feigned part. Hypocrisy is a lucrative profession for
people employed in movies, sit-coms, and soaps. But that's okay because
it's all above board. We know they're just playing roles and they're not
trying to get by with anything; but an officer is not supposed to be an actor;
he's supposed to be a man of integrity.
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Webers.Home · Apr 1, 2019

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1Tim 5:1a . . When speaking to an older man, appeal to him respectfully as
though he were your own father.

There's probably nothing more humiliating to a parent than to be treated like
dirt by their children-- except maybe to be treated like dirt by a spouse.

Americans have the right to a trial by a jury of their peers. Well, a child is
not a parent's peer; he's not even the parent's equal let alone his peer.
Parents are not children's peers; no, parents are their betters, not their
equals. It's a thoughtless, wicked, insolent dunce who treats their parents
with no more respect than a college beer buddy.

I was in a Sunday school class one morning where a young fellow
substituted for the regular teacher. After practically every sentence during
his lecture, the fellow would pause, tighten his lips, turn down the corners of
his mouth, squint his eyes into narrow slits, and look around the room with a
fierce scowl on his face; and better than half that room was older than he
was. I don't know about the rest of the group, but as a man easily twice his
age; I deeply resented the looks that youngster was giving us.
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Webers.Home · Apr 3, 2019

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1Tim 5:1b . .Speak to the younger men as you would to your own kin.

In this case, the "kin" would be sort of like a man's younger siblings; viz: his
kid brothers. Young boys look up to their big brothers; who by all rights
should be setting the example as role models that a growing boy can be
proud of. Big brothers ought to be available too, and not treat their younger
siblings as excess baggage and/or uncool nerds and morons who are
beneath their dignity to be seen with.

Church officers who grew up in dysfunctional homes, where human
relationships were an ongoing cold war, are going to find that 1Tim 5:1b is
very difficult to obey in a manner that exemplifies peace, love, and
understanding. Were they to speak to the younger men in church the very
same way that they're accustomed to speaking to their own kin; it would
produce disastrous results.
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Webers.Home · Apr 4, 2019

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1Tim 5:2 . . Speak to the older women as mothers, and the younger women
as sisters, in all purity.

The koiné Greek word for "purity" is hagneia (hag-ni'-ah) which means:
cleanliness; viz: chastity

Webster's defines "chastity" as: abstention from unlawful sexual intercourse
and/or purity in conduct and intention

Church officers are in an advantageous position for meeting women; thus
opportunities for trysts, assaults, and abuse abound.

Speaking to older women as mothers means doing so in compliance with the
fourth of the Ten Commandments.

"Honor your mother" (Ex 20:12)

Honoring one's mother means giving her the respect that her age and her
maternal position deserve. It means watching your language, and it means
keeping a civil tongue in your head. It means speaking to her as a grown-up
instead of a child. It means treating her as superior and you as subordinate.
It means deferring to her wishes instead of demanding your own.
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Webers.Home · Apr 5, 2019

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1Tim 5:3-4 . . Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in
need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, her kin should learn first
of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so
repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.

A widow in real need would be one who is unable to work and has no one of
her own to look out after her. Here in modern America that situation isn't
nearly as serious as it is in third world countries where there are no
government assistance programs for senior citizens. So you can see that in
those circumstances a widow's church may be the only thing between her
and grinding poverty.

A widow's Christian offspring have a sacred obligation to provide for their
aging ancestors.

"Those who won't care for their own kin, especially those living in the same
household, have disregarded what we believe. Such people are worse than
infidels." (1Tim 5:8)
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Webers.Home · Apr 6, 2019

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1Tim 5:5-7 . .The widow who is really in need, and left all alone, puts her
hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.
But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. Give the
people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame.

The New Testament Greek word for "pleasure" means voluptuous; which
Webster's defines as luxury and/or sensual gratification.

People who live only for the best that life has to offer generally regard
religion as a ball and chain holding them back from living their lives to the
fullest. Well; not everyone has access to either the means or the
wherewithal to live life to the fullest. For some, life offers no options other
than a tin shack, a dirt floor, and a bowl of white rice; if that.

Paul says to decline widows for whom basic necessities aren't an issue,
rather, whose goal is to satisfy their appetite for the best that life has to
offer. As it's said that one cannot serve God and money, well neither can
one serve God and one's inherent cravings. True, you can't stop yourself
from having cravings for the best that life has to offer; but you can choose
whether to let them be the dominant force in your life.

"Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the concerns
of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things come
in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." (Mark 4:18-19)
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Webers.Home · Apr 7, 2019

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1Tim 5:9-10 . . No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is
over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good
deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of
the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good
deeds.

There are unprincipled individuals out there who love nothing better than
taking advantage of a church's good nature, and its desire to be helpful.
Following Paul's directive is a good way to avoid being victimized by one of
them. (cf. Ruth 2:11)
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Webers.Home · Apr 8, 2019

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1Tim 5:11-12 . . As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For
when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to
marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken
their first pledge.

The koiné Greek word for "widow" in this section is chera (khay'-rah) which
doesn't necessarily indicate a woman whose husband died. It simply
indicates a woman that's lost her man (or maybe never had one to begin
with, e.g. grass widows).

The words "sensual desires" are translated from a Greek word that means
voluptuous against. In other words; their craving for the good things in life
will outweigh any importance that they might put upon serving Christ
faithfully, loyally, and effectively.

The "first pledge" is a woman's wedding vows. If a married Christian woman
doesn't want to live with her husband anymore; fine: don't. But if she
divorces her husband merely to take up with a man she likes better; that's
not fine; no, that's totally wrong.
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Webers.Home · Apr 9, 2019

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1Tim 5:14 . . So I will that younger widows marry, have children, manage
their homes, and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.

That almost seems to contradict a previous verse condemning young widows
for remarrying; but in this case, it's assumed she hasn't broken her first
pledge; viz: she has a legitimate right to remarry.

According to Paul's criteria, a widow qualifies as "younger" if she's not yet
undergone menopause. A young ex-wife still has a good supply of active
hormones, and a very lively libido that needs an outlet. This is just a fact of
life and all the religion in the world is not going to make it go away. A few
women are okay with celibacy, but not all that many are. Even women that
some men might evaluate as "frigid" will feel comfortable in the right man's
arms, so don't be too quick to write them off.

Dr. Laura Schlesinger often advised single moms to forget about even so
much as dating till their children are at least 18. Well, that's easy for Laura
to say because she's a tomboy, but real women are going to find that
restriction unbearable; and besides, Paul's instructions are Christ's rules for
Christian women, not Laura's rules.

"If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge
that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of The Lord."
(1Cor 14:37)

Single women need to think rationally and objectively about their future;
and ask themselves: Can I really live out the rest of my life without a man to
share it? Can I bear up without a nervous break-down and/or turning to
alcohol, Prozac, and overeating? Will I become irritable and difficult, and/or
a chronic man-hater like aunt Lucy? Have to be brutally honest here because
this is pretty serious stuff.

Another danger of single women going too long without a man is immorality.
Desire, loneliness, and longings for appreciation, have a way of building up
to unbearable levels in people who live by themselves and just about that
time, along comes a really great somebody who maybe breaks down their
defenses and gets a little too chummy. That can be a difficult moment.

"To avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman
have her own husband." (1Cor 7:2)

NOTE: They say a man has his needs. Well; a woman has her needs too.
Let's not forget that.
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Webers.Home · Apr 10, 2019

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1Tim 5:16 . . If any believing man or woman have widows, let them relieve
them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are
widows indeed.

It's awful to think that a religion based upon love, has to command its
adherents to extend kindness to their own kin.

But in all fairness, I should point out that Paul's directive only impacts
believing widows, not unbelieving, because a Christian church is under zero
obligation to support widows who fail to meet all the requirements of a
"widow indeed" as per 1Tim 5:9-10.

What we're talking about here are specifically Christian widows; so if those
among your relatives are say, Atheist, Agnostic, Muslim, Buddhist, Bahái,
Hindu, Jehovah's Witness, Scientology, or Mormon, et al; then don't even
think about asking your church to help support them. If you want to help
them, okay, but leave your church out of it.
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Webers.Home · Apr 11, 2019

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1Tim 5:17-18 . .The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are
worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and
teaching. For the scripture says: "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading
out the grain" and "The laborer is worthy of his hire."

The koiné Greek word for "elder" is presbuteros (pres-boo'-ter-os). It
corresponds to aldermen; which Webster's defines as: members of a
legislative body. In other words; elders enact and enforce the proprietary
rules and bylaws that govern everybody in a local church; including its
pastor. In some churches those rules and bylaws are called a covenant;
which new members have to accept. The aldermen are also responsible for
settling disputes between church members (1Cor 6:1-5) so that they
correspond to "the church" that Christ spoke of at Matt 18:15-18.

Aldermen aren't peculiar to Christianity. Councils pre-existed amongst
Moses' people prior to Moses' commission (Ex 3:16). Anon, seventy of
Israel's elders were established by God as a supreme council (Num 11:16
17). One's failure to submit to their church's aldermen is grounds for
removing their name from the role. (Matt 18:15-18)

Since Christian aldermen sometimes wear more than one hat as preachers
and teachers; then it's very possible in a large church for them to have time
for nothing else, like for instance holding down a job. For that reason, their
constituents should try and compensate them with a decent standard of
living. I mean, after all, if their service to a local church is invaluable, then
by all means the congregation should do whatever it takes to keep them on
staff where they can devote all of their time and energy towards governing
(that is; if you feel your church is a worthwhile endeavor).

Let's say for example, that one of your church's aldermen is a retiree trying
to survive on Social Security and a diminished 401K. He'll be a lot more
effective towards your church's good if the congregation, whatever its size,
pitches in to help him make ends meet; and the outside world surely won't
blame your church for doing so unless of course they're as callous towards
the needs of a senior citizen as the bottom of a soldier's boot.

But beware that the congregation doesn't overcompensate its aldermen to
the point where they can afford to drive a Cadillac Escalade, wear a Rolex,
and own an expensive home in an up-scale district. That will really make
Christianity look bad, and actually work against Christ's best interests.
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Webers.Home · Apr 13, 2019

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1Tim 5:19 . . Do not accept an accusation against an elder except before
two or three witnesses.

It isn't required that two or three witnesses accuse the elder, but that an
accuser do so in the hearing of two or three witnesses. The witnesses are
not there to testify against the elder; no, they are there to testify against
the accuser in the event it's discovered that he's the perpetrator of a
slander.
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