so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you

appear as lights in the world,

The husband

men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.

A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,

For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,

Vigilant

His watchmen are blind,
All of them know nothing.
All of them are mute dogs unable to bark,

Dreamers lying down, who love to slumber;

The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Given

contributing to the needs of the saints,

practicing hospitality.

but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

Apt

The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,

General references

Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and

good managers of their children and their own households.