Thematic Bible: Who should be sober


Thematic Bible




This is a trustworthy saying. Whoever aspires to the office of superintendent sets his heart on a fine work. A superintendent must be a man above reproach, only once married, temperate, sensible, a man of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not addicted to drink or pugnacious, but a man of moderation and peace, not avaricious, read more.
managing his own house well, and keeping his children under control and perfectly respectful??5 for if a man does not know how to conduct his own household, how can he look after a church of God? He must not be a new convert, or he may grow conceited and incur criticism from slanderous people. He must also be a man of good standing with outsiders, or he may get into disgrace and be entrapped by the slanderers. Assistants, in turn, must be serious, straightforward men, not addicted to wine or dishonest gain, but holding the divine truth of the faith with a clear conscience. They should first be tested, and afterward, if there is no fault to be found with them, they can serve as assistants. Their wives too must be serious, not gossips; they must be temperate, and perfectly trustworthy.

But you must teach people the things that properly belong to wholesome teaching. Teach the older men to be temperate, serious, and sensible??en of vigorous faith, love, and steadfastness. Teach the older women, too, to be reverent in their behavior, and not to gossip or be slaves of drink, but to be teachers of what is right, read more.
so as to train the younger women to be loving wives and mothers, and to be sensible, pure-minded, domestic, kind, and submissive to their husbands, so as not to bring reproach on God's message. Urge the younger men, too, to be sensible. In every way set them an example of good conduct yourself. Teach with sincerity and seriousness, and present a wholesome, unobjectionable message, so that your opponent may be put to shame at finding nothing bad to say about us. Tell slaves always to obey their masters and try to please them, not to oppose them or steal from them, but to show such perfect good faith as to do credit to the teaching about God our Savior, by everything they do. For God's mercy has appeared and brought salvation to all men, training us to renounce godless ways and worldly passions, and live serious, upright, and godly lives in this world,