15 Bible Verses about Ministers

It is you who are the Light of the world. A town that stands on a hill cannot be hidden. Men do not light a lamp and put it under the corn-measure, but on the lamp-stand, where it gives light to every one in the house. Let your light so shine before the eyes of your fellow men, that, seeing your good actions, they may praise your Father who is in Heaven.

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God; so that they may receive pardon for their sins, and a place among those who have become God's People, by faith in me.'

Indeed, in speaking about us, the people themselves tell of the reception you gave us, and how, turning to God from your idols, you became servants of the true and living God,

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane prattle and contradictions of what some miscall 'theology,'

nor to devote their attention to legends and interminable genealogies, which tend to give rise to argument rather than to further that divine plan which is revealed in the Faith.

Now what we look for in stewards is that they should be trustworthy.

and what you learnt from me, in the presence of many listeners, entrust to reliable men, who will be able in their turn to teach others.

It is you who are the Light of the world. A town that stands on a hill cannot be hidden.

He was the 'Lamp that was burning' and shining, and you were ready to rejoice, for a time, in his light.

Hold them in the very greatest esteem and affection for the sake of their work. Live at peace with one another.

Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.

Of this Good News I became a minister, in virtue of the charge with which God entrusted me in the exercise of his power--

If only you remain true to your Faith, firm and immovable, never abandoning the hope held out in the Good News to which you listened, which has been proclaimed among all created things under Heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

Our fitness comes from God, who himself made us fit to be ministers of a New Covenant, of which the substance is, not a written Law, but a Spirit. For the written Law means Death, but the Spirit gives Life.

of which I was myself appointed a Herald and Apostle, and Teacher.

For that was why the Good News was told to the dead also--that, after they have been judged in the body, as men are judged, they might live in the spirit, as God lives.

Proclaiming the Kingdom of God, and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ, with perfect fearlessness, unmolested.

But they set out, and made the proclamation everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Message by the signs which attended it.

About that time John the Baptist first appeared, proclaiming in the Wilderness of Judea:

Then I saw another angel, flying in mid-heaven. He had the Good News, decreed from eternity, to announce to those who dwell on the earth--to men of every nation, and tribe, and language, and people;

It was for this reason, and to prevent my thinking too highly of myself, that a thorn was sent to pierce my flesh--an instrument of Satan to discipline me--so that I should not think too highly of myself.

To this very hour we go hungry, thirsty, and naked; we are beaten; we are homeless;

In floggings, in imprisonments, in riots, in toils, in sleepless nights, in fastings;

Are they 'Servants of Christ'? Though it is madness to talk like this, I am more so than they! I have had more of toil, more of imprisonment! I have been flogged times without number. I have been often at death's door.

Therefore, be on your guard, remembering how for three years, night and day, I never ceased, even with tears, to warn each one of you.

So, then, even though I did write to you, it was not for the sake of the wrong-doer, or of the man who was wronged, but to make you conscious, in the sight of God, of your own earnest care for us. And it is this that has encouraged us.

And, not to speak of other things, there is my daily burden of anxiety about all the Churches.

For I am afraid that perhaps, when I come, I may find that you are not what I want you to be, and, on the other hand, that you may find that I am what you do not want me to be. I am afraid that I may find quarreling, jealousy, ill-feeling, rivalry, slandering, back-biting, self-assertion, and disorder.

You make me fear that the labor which I have spent on you may have been wasted.

Much annoyed because they were teaching the people, and because, through Jesus, they were preaching the resurrection from the dead.

Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and there began to preach the Christ.

Then Philip began, and, taking this passage as his text, told him the Good News about Jesus.

And at once began in the Synagogues to proclaim Jesus as the Son of God.

God has sent his Message to the Israelites and told them, through Jesus Christ, the Good News of peace--and Jesus is Lord of all!

Much annoyed because they were teaching the people, and because, through Jesus, they were preaching the resurrection from the dead.

Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and there began to preach the Christ.

Then Philip began, and, taking this passage as his text, told him the Good News about Jesus.

And at once began in the Synagogues to proclaim Jesus as the Son of God.

God has sent his Message to the Israelites and told them, through Jesus Christ, the Good News of peace--and Jesus is Lord of all!

And they brought these men to the Apostles, who, after praying, placed their hands on them.

Do not neglect the divine gift within you, which was given you, amid many a prediction, when the hands of the Officers of the Church were laid on your head.

Never ordain any one hastily, and take no part in the wrong-doing of others. Keep your life pure.

And that is my reason for reminding you to stir into flame that gift of God, which is yours through your ordination at my hands.

For God is not unjust; he will not forget the work that you did, and the love that you showed for his Name, in sending help to your fellow Christians--as you are still doing.

Therefore, my dear Brothers, stand firm, unshaken, always diligent in the Lord's work, for you know that, in union with him, your toil is not in vain.

But he who looks carefully into the perfect Law, the Law of Freedom, and continues to do so, not listening to it and then forgetting it, but putting it into practice--that man will be blessed in what he does.

If any one gives you a cup of water because you belong to Christ, I tell you, he shall assuredly not lose his reward.

Then he said to them: "Go into all the world, and proclaim the Good News to all creation.

What I tell you in the dark, say again in the light; and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.

And on your way proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Proclaim the Message, be ready in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, encourage, never failing to instruct with forbearance.

But Jesus said: "Leave the dead to bury their dead; but go yourself and carry far and wide the news of the Kingdom of God."

Then he said to them: "Go into all the world, and proclaim the Good News to all creation.

What I tell you in the dark, say again in the light; and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.

And on your way proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Proclaim the Message, be ready in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, encourage, never failing to instruct with forbearance.

But Jesus said: "Leave the dead to bury their dead; but go yourself and carry far and wide the news of the Kingdom of God."

The words of Scripture are-- 'Thou shalt not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain.' and again-- 'The worker is worth his wages.'

Not even with a bag for the journey, or a change of clothes, or sandals, or even a staff; for the worker is worth his food.

So, too, the Master has appointed that those who tell the Good News should get their living from the Good News.

He, however, who is being instructed in the Message ought always to share his blessings with the man who instructs him.

Yet you have acted nobly in sharing my troubles.

The words of Scripture are-- 'Thou shalt not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain.' and again-- 'The worker is worth his wages.'

Not even with a bag for the journey, or a change of clothes, or sandals, or even a staff; for the worker is worth his food.

So, too, the Master has appointed that those who tell the Good News should get their living from the Good News.

He, however, who is being instructed in the Message ought always to share his blessings with the man who instructs him.

Yet you have acted nobly in sharing my troubles.

and be well spoken of for her kind actions. She should have brought up children, have shown hospitality to strangers, have washed the feet of her fellow Christians, have relieved those who were in distress, and devoted herself to every kind of good action.

The Presiding-Officer should be a man of blameless character; a faithful husband; living a temperate, discreet, and well-ordered life; hospitable, and a skillful teacher,

Relieving the wants of Christ's People; devoted to hospitality.

On the contrary, he should be hospitable, eager for the right discreet, upright, a man of holy life and capable of self-restraint,

Do not neglect to show hospitality; for, through being hospitable, men have all unawares entertained angels.

Be watchful over yourselves, and over the whole flock, of which the Holy Spirit has placed you in charge, to shepherd the Church of God, which he won for himself at the cost of his life.

The third time, Jesus said to him: "Simon, son of John, are you my friend?" Peter was hurt at his third question being 'Are you my friend?'; and exclaimed: "Master, you know everything! You can tell that I am your friend." "Feed my sheep," said Jesus.

Be watchful over yourselves, and over the whole flock, of which the Holy Spirit has placed you in charge, to shepherd the Church of God, which he won for himself at the cost of his life.

The third time, Jesus said to him: "Simon, son of John, are you my friend?" Peter was hurt at his third question being 'Are you my friend?'; and exclaimed: "Master, you know everything! You can tell that I am your friend." "Feed my sheep," said Jesus.

Unlike many people, we are not in the habit of making profit out of God's Message; but in all sincerity, and bearing God's commission, we speak before him in union with Christ.

Never at any time, as you know, did we use the language of flattery, or make false professions in order to hide selfish aims. God will bear witness to that.

No, we have renounced the secrecy prompted by shame, refusing to adopt crafty ways, or to tamper with God's Message, and commending ourselves to every man's conscience, in the sight of God, by our exhibition of the Truth.

Our appeal to you was not based on a delusion, nor was it made from unworthy motives, or with any intention of misleading you.

And teaching them to lay to heart all the commands that I have given you; and, remember, I myself am with you every day until the close of the age."

The Presiding-Officer should be a man of blameless character; a faithful husband; living a temperate, discreet, and well-ordered life; hospitable, and a skillful teacher,

Those who have Christian masters should not think less of them because they are their Brothers, but on the contrary they should serve them all the better, because those who are to benefit by their good work are dear to them as their fellow Christians. Those are the things to insist upon in your teaching.

Dwell upon these things in your teaching.

He should instruct his opponents in a gentle spirit; for, possibly, God may give them a repentance that will lead to a fuller knowledge of Truth,

And teaching them to lay to heart all the commands that I have given you; and, remember, I myself am with you every day until the close of the age."

The Presiding-Officer should be a man of blameless character; a faithful husband; living a temperate, discreet, and well-ordered life; hospitable, and a skillful teacher,

Those who have Christian masters should not think less of them because they are their Brothers, but on the contrary they should serve them all the better, because those who are to benefit by their good work are dear to them as their fellow Christians. Those are the things to insist upon in your teaching.

Dwell upon these things in your teaching.

He should instruct his opponents in a gentle spirit; for, possibly, God may give them a repentance that will lead to a fuller knowledge of Truth,

Obey your Leaders, and submit to their control, for they are watching over your souls, as men who will have to render an account, so that they may do it with joy, and not in sorrow. That would not be to your advantage.

To the latter we are an odor which arises from death and tells of Death; to the former an odor which arises from life and tells of Life. But who is equal to such a task?

I do not want many of you, my Brothers, to become teachers, knowing, as you do, that we who teach shall be judged by a more severe standard than others.

Then, when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades.

If any man's work, which he has built upon that foundation, still remains, he will gain a reward.

I tell you that his master will put him in charge of the whole of his property.

If I do this work willingly, I have a reward; but, if unwillingly, I have been charged to perform a duty. What is my reward, then? To present the Good News free of all cost, and so make but a sparing use of the rights which it gives me.

Give him, then, the heartiest of Christian welcomes, and hold such men in great honour.

Those Officers of the Church who fill their office well should be held deserving of especial consideration, particularly those whose work lies in preaching and teaching.

Do not forget your Leaders, the men who told you God's Message. Recall the close of their lives, and imitate their faith.

Hold them in the very greatest esteem and affection for the sake of their work. Live at peace with one another.

Brothers, unite in following my example, and fix your eyes on those who are living by the pattern which we have set you.

This was not because we had not a right to receive support, but our object was to give you a pattern for you to copy.

Do not let any one look down on you because you are young, but, by your conversation, your conduct, your love, your faith, and your purity, be an example to those who hold the Faith.

not as lords of your charges, but as examples to your flock.

And then many lips will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us in answer to many prayers.

Pray for us, for we are sure that our consciences are clear, since our wish is to be occupied with what is good.

And on my behalf also, that, when I begin to speak, words may be given me, so that I may fearlessly make known the inmost truth of the Good News,

I beg you, then, Brothers, by Jesus Christ, our Lord, and by the love inspired by the Spirit, to join me in earnest prayer to God on my behalf.

In our strong affection for you, that seemed to us the best way of sharing with you, not only God's Good news, but our very lives as well--so dear had you become to us.

And, indeed, I am justified in feeling thus about you all; because you have a warm place in my heart--you who all, both in my imprisonment and in the work of defending and establishing the Good News, shared my privilege with me.

Indeed, you know that, like a father with his own children, we used to encourage and comfort every one of you, and solemnly plead with you;

My mission from Christ was not to baptize, but to tell the Good News; not, however, in the language of philosophy, lest the cross of the Christ should be robbed of its meaning.

My Message and my Proclamation were not delivered in the persuasive language of philosophy, but were accompanied by the manifestation of spiritual power,

For my own part, Brothers, when I came to you, it was with no display of eloquence or philosophy that I came to tell the hidden purpose of God;

Obey your Leaders, and submit to their control, for they are watching over your souls, as men who will have to render an account, so that they may do it with joy, and not in sorrow. That would not be to your advantage.

Every recollection that I have of you is a cause of thankfulness to God,

I always thank God about you for the blessing bestowed upon you in Christ Jesus.

How can we thank God enough for all the happiness that you are giving us in the sight of our God?

Give him, then, the heartiest of Christian welcomes, and hold such men in great honour.

Those Officers of the Church who fill their office well should be held deserving of especial consideration, particularly those whose work lies in preaching and teaching.

Hold them in the very greatest esteem and affection for the sake of their work. Live at peace with one another.

He, however, who is being instructed in the Message ought always to share his blessings with the man who instructs him.

Does any one ever serve as a soldier at his own expense? Does any one plant a vineyard and not eat its produce? Or does any one look after a herd and not drink the milk? Am I, in all this, speaking only from the human standpoint? Does not the Law also say the same? For in the Law of Moses it is said-'Thou shalt not muzzle a bullock while it is treading out the grain.' Is it the bullocks that God is thinking of? read more.
Or is not is said entirely for our sakes? Surely it was written for our sakes, for the ploughman ought not to plough, nor the thrasher to thrash, without expecting a share of the grain. Since we, then, sowed spiritual seed for you, is it too much that we should reap from you an earthly harvest?

I urge you to be true shepherds of the flock of God among you, not because you are compelled, but of your own free will; not from a base love of gain, but with a ready spirit;

So, too, Assistant-Officers should be serious and straightforward men, not given to taking much drink or to questionable money-making,

I have never coveted any one's gold or silver or clothing.

not addicted to drink or brawling, but of a forbearing and peaceable disposition, and not a lover of money;

Be watchful over yourselves, and over the whole flock, of which the Holy Spirit has placed you in charge, to shepherd the Church of God, which he won for himself at the cost of his life.

I urge you to be true shepherds of the flock of God among you, not because you are compelled, but of your own free will; not from a base love of gain, but with a ready spirit;

When breakfast was over, Jesus said to Simon Peter: "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than the others?" "Yes, Master," he answered, "you know that I am your friend." "Feed my lambs," said Jesus. Then, a second time, Jesus asked: "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" "Yes, Master," he answered, "you know that I am your friend." "Tend my sheep," said Jesus. The third time, Jesus said to him: "Simon, son of John, are you my friend?" Peter was hurt at his third question being 'Are you my friend?'; and exclaimed: "Master, you know everything! You can tell that I am your friend." "Feed my sheep," said Jesus.

For what hope or joy will be ours, or what crown shall we have to boast of, in the presence of our Lord Jesus, at his Coming, if it be not you?

But, when Timothy recently returned to us from you with good news of your faith and love, and told us how kindly you think of us--always longing, he said, to see us, just as we are longing to see you-- On hearing his, we felt encouraged about you, Brothers, in the midst of all our difficulties and troubles, by your faith. For it is new life to us to know that you are holding fast to the Lord. read more.
How can we thank God enough for all the happiness that you are giving us in the sight of our God?

What I tell you in the dark, say again in the light; and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; rather be afraid of him who is able to destroy both soul and body in the Pit.

Never do we put an obstacle in any one's way, that no fault may be found with our ministry.

Do not cause offence either to Jews or Greeks or to the Church of God; For I, also, try to please everybody in everything, not seeking my own advantage, but that of men in general, that they may be saved.

Remember, this is the third time that I have made every preparation to come to see you, and I shall refuse to be a burden to you; I want, not your money, but you. It is not the duty of children to put by for their parents, but of parents to put by for their children.

Nor did we seek to win honour from men, whether from you or from others, although, as Apostles of Christ, we might have burdened you with our support.

You will not have forgotten, Brothers, our labor and toil. Night and day we used to work at our trades, so as not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you God's Good News.

What is my reward, then? To present the Good News free of all cost, and so make but a sparing use of the rights which it gives me.

On the contrary, he should be hospitable, eager for the right discreet, upright, a man of holy life and capable of self-restraint,

Even if I boast extravagantly about our authority--which the Lord gave us for building up your faith and not for overthrowing it--still I have no reason to be ashamed.

This is my reason for writing as I am now doing, while I am away from you, so that, when I am with you, I may not act harshly in the exercise of the authority which the Lord gave me--and gave me for building up and not for pulling down.

Even if I boast extravagantly about our authority--which the Lord gave us for building up your faith and not for overthrowing it--still I have no reason to be ashamed.

This is my reason for writing as I am now doing, while I am away from you, so that, when I am with you, I may not act harshly in the exercise of the authority which the Lord gave me--and gave me for building up and not for pulling down.

And, remembering how you excel in everything--in faith, in teaching, in knowledge, in unfailing earnestness, and in the affection that we have awakened in you--I ask you to excel also in this expression of your love.

But, when Timothy recently returned to us from you with good news of your faith and love, and told us how kindly you think of us--always longing, he said, to see us, just as we are longing to see you--

Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and there began to preach the Christ.

Then Philip began, and, taking this passage as his text, told him the Good News about Jesus.

For I had determined that, while with you, I would know nothing but Jesus Christ-and him crucified!

But it is through the love of God that I am what I am, and the love that he showed me has not been wasted. No, I have toiled harder than any of them, and yet it was not I, but the love of God working with me.

Therefore neither the man who plants, nor the man who waters, is of any account, but only God who causes the growth.

And, indeed, you have already partly acknowledged it about us--that you have a right to be proud of us, as we shall be proud of you, on the Day of our Lord Jesus.

So I wrote as I did, for fear that, if I had come, I should have been pained by those who ought to have made me glad; for I felt sure that it was true of you all that my joy was in every case yours also.

Though hard pressed on every side, we are never hemmed in; through perplexed, never driven to despair;

As saddened, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet enriching many; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things!

Brothers, unite in following my example, and fix your eyes on those who are living by the pattern which we have set you.

Imitate me, as I myself imitate Christ.

To fit his People for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the Body of the Christ.

Have you all this time been fancying that it is to you that we are making our defense? No, it is in the sight of God, and in union with Christ, that we are speaking. And all this, dear friends, is to build up your characters;

Is this, I ask, trying to conciliate men, or God? Am I seeking to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I should not be a servant of Christ.

But, having been found worthy by God to be entrusted with the Good News, therefore we tell it; with a view to please, not men, but God who proves our hearts.

and a Servant of the Lord should never quarrel. He ought, on the contrary, to be courteous to every one, a skillful teacher, and forbearing.

But we lived among you with the simplicity of a child; we were like a woman nursing her own children.

Obey your Leaders, and submit to their control, for they are watching over your souls, as men who will have to render an account, so that they may do it with joy, and not in sorrow. That would not be to your advantage.

I want you, on your part, to show deference to such men as these, as well as to every fellow laborer and earnest worker.

And as for what must have tried you in my condition, it did not inspire you with scorn or disgust, but you welcomed me as if I had been an angel of God--or Christ Jesus himself!

Let men look upon us as Christ's servants, and as stewards of the hidden truths of God.

For I have not shrunk from announcing the whole purpose of God regarding you.

I never shrank from telling you anything that could be helpful to you, or from teaching you both in public and in private.

"Go," he said, "and stand in the Temple Courts, and tell the people the whole Message of this new Life."

No, we are trying to commend ourselves under all circumstances, as God's ministers should--in many an hour of endurance, in troubles, in hardships, in difficulties,

and a Servant of the Lord should never quarrel. He ought, on the contrary, to be courteous to every one, a skillful teacher, and forbearing.

I do not mean that we are fit to form any judgment by ourselves, as if on our own authority; Our fitness comes from God, who himself made us fit to be ministers of a New Covenant, of which the substance is, not a written Law, but a Spirit. For the written Law means Death, but the Spirit gives Life.

But, should he be a bad servant, and say to himself 'My master is a long time in coming,' And begin to beat his fellow-servants, and eat and drink with drunkards, That servant's master will come on a day when he does not expect him, and at an hour of which he is unaware, read more.
And will flog him severely, and assign him his place among the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.

Put all this before the Brethren, and you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, sustained by the precepts of the Faith and of that Good Teaching by which you have guided your life.

The former spread the news of the Christ in a factious spirit, and not sincerely, thinking to add to the pain of my chains.

But I count my life of no value to myself, if only I may complete the course marked out for me, and the task that was allotted me by the Lord Jesus--which was to declare the Good News of the Love of God.

And this will fulfil my earnest expectation and hope that I shall have no cause for shame, but that, with unfailing courage, now as hitherto, Christ will be honored in my body, whether by my life or by my death, For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.

For this reason, then, I kneel before the Father--

Always, in every prayer that I offer for you all--my prayers are full of joy--

There are, indeed, many unruly persons--great talkers who deceive themselves, principally converts from Judaism, whose mouths ought to be stopped; for they upset whole households by teaching what they ought not to teach, merely to make questionable gains.

He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who refuses to believe will be condemned.

My mission from Christ was not to baptize, but to tell the Good News; not, however, in the language of philosophy, lest the cross of the Christ should be robbed of its meaning.

Till I come, apply yourself to public reading, preaching, and teaching.

Practice these things, devote yourself to them, so that your progress may be plain to every one.

I have run the great Race; I have finished the Course; I have kept the Faith.

This, then, is the charge that I lay upon you, Timothy, my Child, in accordance with what was predicted of you--Fight the good fight in the spirit of those predictions,

he should be a man who rules his own household well, and whose children are kept under control and are well-behaved.

Assistant-Officers should be faithful husbands, and men who rule their children and their households well.

The Presiding-Officer should be a man of blameless character; a faithful husband; living a temperate, discreet, and well-ordered life; hospitable, and a skillful teacher,

and a Servant of the Lord should never quarrel. He ought, on the contrary, to be courteous to every one, a skillful teacher, and forbearing.

Yes, and I ask you, my true comrade, to help them, remembering that they toiled by my side in spreading the Good News; and so, too, did Clement and my other fellow-workers, whose names are 'in the Book of Life.'

To Urban, our fellow-worker in the Cause of Christ, and to my dear friend Stachys;

Let them be; they are but blind guides; and, if one blind man guides another, both of them will fall into a ditch."

but men who hold the deep truths of the Faith and have a clear conscience.

He who listens to you is listening to me, and he who rejects you is rejecting me; while he who rejects me is rejecting him who sent me as his Messenger."

Do not let any one look down on you because you are young, but, by your conversation, your conduct, your love, your faith, and your purity, be an example to those who hold the Faith.

Therefore practice and lay to heart everything that they tell preach but do not practice.

And therefore we, from the very day that we heard this, have never ceased praying for you, or asking that you may possess that deeper knowledge of the will of God, which comes through all true spiritual wisdom and insight.

On the contrary, he should be hospitable, eager for the right discreet, upright, a man of holy life and capable of self-restraint,

A soldier on active service, to please his superior officer, always avoids entangling himself in the affairs of ordinary life.

But Jesus said: "Leave the dead to bury their dead; but go yourself and carry far and wide the news of the Kingdom of God."

For a Presiding-Officer, as God's steward, ought to be a man of irreproachable character; not self-willed or quick-tempered, nor addicted to drink or to brawling or to questionable money-making.

not addicted to drink or brawling, but of a forbearing and peaceable disposition, and not a lover of money;

For a Presiding-Officer, as God's steward, ought to be a man of irreproachable character; not self-willed or quick-tempered, nor addicted to drink or to brawling or to questionable money-making.

The Presiding-Officer should be a man of blameless character; a faithful husband; living a temperate, discreet, and well-ordered life; hospitable, and a skillful teacher,

The Presiding-Officer should be a man of blameless character; a faithful husband; living a temperate, discreet, and well-ordered life; hospitable, and a skillful teacher,

On the contrary, he should be hospitable, eager for the right discreet, upright, a man of holy life and capable of self-restraint,

For a Presiding-Officer, as God's steward, ought to be a man of irreproachable character; not self-willed or quick-tempered, nor addicted to drink or to brawling or to questionable money-making.

not addicted to drink or brawling, but of a forbearing and peaceable disposition, and not a lover of money;

Nor does any one take that high office upon himself, till he has been called to do so by God, as Aaron was.

In their covetousness they will try to make you a source of profit by their fabrications; but for a long time past their Sentence has not been standing idle, nor their Ruin slumbering.

While we, for our part, will devote ourselves to Prayer, and to the delivery of the Message."

Proclaim the Message, be ready in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, encourage, never failing to instruct with forbearance.

I urge you to be true shepherds of the flock of God among you, not because you are compelled, but of your own free will; not from a base love of gain, but with a ready spirit;

Reassuring the minds of the disciples, urging them to remain true to the Faith, and showing that it is only through many troubles that we can enter the Kingdom of God.

But I prayed for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. And you, when you have returned to me, are to strengthen your Brothers."

Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the Faith,

Speak of all this, and encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let any one despise you.

As God is true, the Message that we brought you does not waver between 'Yes' and 'No'! The Son of God, Christ Jesus, whom we--Silas, Timothy, and I- -proclaimed among you, never wavered between 'Yes' and 'No.' With him it has always been 'Yes.'

who holds doctrine that can be relied on as being in accordance with the accepted Teaching; so that he may be able to encourage others by sound teaching, as well as to refute our opponents.

Speak of all this, and encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let any one despise you.

But they set out, and made the proclamation everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Message by the signs which attended it.

Now those who were scattered in different directions went from place to place proclaiming the Good News.

While they were engaged in the worship of the Lord and were fasting, the Holy Spirit said: "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have called them."

Barnabas and Saul, sent on this mission, as they were, by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and from there sailed to Cyprus.

It is true that some do proclaim the Christ out of Jealousy and opposition; but there are others who proclaim him from good- will. The latter do it from love for me, knowing that I have been appointed to plead the cause of the Good News. The former spread the news of the Christ in a factious spirit, and not sincerely, thinking to add to the pain of my chains.

In our strong affection for you, that seemed to us the best way of sharing with you, not only God's Good news, but our very lives as well--so dear had you become to us.

Who consoles us in all our troubles, so that we may be able to console those who are in any trouble with the consolation that we ourselves receive from him. It is true that we have our full share of the sufferings of the Christ, but through the Christ we have also our full share of consolation. If we meet with trouble, it is for the sake of your consolation and salvation; and, if we find consolation, it is for the sake of the consolation that you will experience when you are called to endure the very sufferings that we ourselves are enduring;

For I, also, try to please everybody in everything, not seeking my own advantage, but that of men in general, that they may be saved.

But, having been found worthy by God to be entrusted with the Good News, therefore we tell it; with a view to please, not men, but God who proves our hearts.

With such a hope as this, we speak with all plainness;

It is, then, on Christ's behalf that we are acting as ambassadors, God, as it were, appealing to you through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf--Be reconciled to God.

No, I bruise my body and make it my slave, lest I, who have called others to the contest, should myself be rejected.

If I tell the Good News, I have nothing to boast of, for I can but do so. Woe is me if I do not tell it!

And from so imminent a death God delivered us, and will deliver us again; for in him we have placed our hopes of future deliverance, while you, also, help us by your prayers.

No, we have renounced the secrecy prompted by shame, refusing to adopt crafty ways, or to tamper with God's Message, and commending ourselves to every man's conscience, in the sight of God, by our exhibition of the Truth.

No, we are trying to commend ourselves under all circumstances, as God's ministers should--in many an hour of endurance, in troubles, in hardships, in difficulties,

(For it is not ourselves that we proclaim, but Christ Jesus, as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.)

I have the utmost confidence in you; I am always boasting about you. I am full of encouragement and, in spite of all our troubles, my heart is overflowing with happiness.

No, we have renounced the secrecy prompted by shame, refusing to adopt crafty ways, or to tamper with God's Message, and commending ourselves to every man's conscience, in the sight of God, by our exhibition of the Truth.

(For it is not ourselves that we proclaim, but Christ Jesus, as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.)

Let men look upon us as Christ's servants, and as stewards of the hidden truths of God.

Let men look upon us as Christ's servants, and as stewards of the hidden truths of God.

This treasure we have in these earthen vessels, that its all- prevailing power may be seen to come from God, and not to be our own.

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to meet him; And, when they saw him, they bowed to the ground before him; although some felt doubtful. Then Jesus came up, and spoke to them thus: "All authority in heaven and on the earth has been given to me. read more.
Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the Faith of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

Still I think it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you now, for he is my brother, fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier, and he was also your messenger to help me in my need.

But you know what Timothy has proved himself to be, and how, like a child working for his father, he worked hard with me in spreading the Good News.

And, indeed, I am justified in feeling thus about you all; because you have a warm place in my heart--you who all, both in my imprisonment and in the work of defending and establishing the Good News, shared my privilege with me.

And he said to his disciples: "The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray to the Owner of the harvest to send laborers to gather in his harvest."

Look to yourself as well as to your teaching. Persevere in this, for your doing so will mean Salvation for yourself as well as for your hearers.

I charge you solemnly, before God and Christ Jesus and the Chosen Angels, to carry out these directions, unswayed by prejudice, never acting with partiality.

Share hardships with me, as a true soldier of Christ Jesus.

Obey your Leaders, and submit to their control, for they are watching over your souls, as men who will have to render an account, so that they may do it with joy, and not in sorrow. That would not be to your advantage.