Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren. 1. Rebuke - When is "rebuke" a proper action to take? Why is rebuke here forbidden when other passages command us to rebuke? (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Timothy 4:2) 2. Elder - Does this verse refer to the office of the elde... [ Continue Reading ]
The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. 1. Women - Does this verse teach that there can be female elders? Who are the women mentioned here? How can the church make the best use of older women in the congregation? 2. Sisters - Is this a description or a title? 3. Purit... [ Continue Reading ]
Honor widows that are widows indeed. 1. Widows - Who is a widow? Is a woman who is deserted by her husband a widow? Is a divorced woman a widow? 2. Indeed - Is there a difference between a widow and a widow indeed? How can one be a widow and not be a widow indeed?... [ Continue Reading ]
But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 1. Nephews - Compare other translations on this term. Who has the first responsibility to care for widows? Who is second in the chain of r... [ Continue Reading ]
Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 1. Desolate - How would a widow be desolate? What is the difference in a widow with family (children or grandchildren) and a widow indeed? 2. Supplications - What are supplicat... [ Continue Reading ]
But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 1. Pleasure - How does pleasure differ from the widow described in the previous verse? Is pleasure wrong? Is it sinful to have pleasure in life? 2. Dead - If she is still alive, how can she be dead?... [ Continue Reading ]
And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. 1. Charge - What is a charge? What is the difference in a charge and a commandment? 2. Blameless - Who is to be charged? Who should be blameless? With what sin might they be charged?... [ Continue Reading ]
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 1. Provide - List the things which a man MUST provide for his family. List some things that are NOT required to be provided. 2. His own - Who are included in this t... [ Continue Reading ]
Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 1. Number - Does this verse teach that a widow younger than 60 can not be a member of the local congregation? How is a widow "taken into the number"? 2. Threescore - What about a widow who Isaiah... [ Continue Reading ]
Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed saints feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. 1. Reported - Who makes out this report? What should be reported? 2. Works - List som... [ Continue Reading ]
But younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 1. Refuse - What services must the church refuse to give to a widow because they are younger than 60? Are there other factors, besides age, that must be considered? 2. Wax wanton - What is "lasciviou... [ Continue Reading ]
Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 1. Damnation - Is there a real place of damnation? Is Hell a place of real fire? Is this a place of darkness? How long will Hell last? 2. First faith - How does a young widow who marries again cast off her faith? Can a young widow rem... [ Continue Reading ]
And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 1. Idle - Make a list of idle things. How can you tell if your thoughts are idle or not? Is idleness a problem in the church today? 2. T... [ Continue Reading ]
I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 1. Bear children - Is bearing children a command from God? Can a woman go to heaven if she has not had any children? 2. Guide - What does it mean to guide the... [ Continue Reading ]
For some are already turned aside after Satan. 1. Turned - List some ways we can turn aside to follow Satan. How do we turn aside? 2. Satan - Who is Satan? Is Satan real? Is Satan just a representative of all that is evil in our world?... [ Continue Reading ]
If any man of woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. 1. Believeth - How do you distinguish believers from others? Does the church have any responsibility to help non-believing widows? 2. Charged -... [ Continue Reading ]
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine. 1. Elders - Does the word refer to older people in the congregation or to the office of the elder? 2. Rule - Do elders rule? Do they have authority? Are elders to be dictators with... [ Continue Reading ]
For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward. 1. Muzzle - Where does the Bible make this statement? What is the application of a farm animal to the office of an elder? 2. Worthy - How much should they be paid? Why are fe... [ Continue Reading ]
Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 1. Accusation - Do members have right to "gripe" about some decision of the elders? Can they voice their opinion about them? doe sthis verse have reference to the decisions they make or to their character? 2. Witnesses... [ Continue Reading ]
Them that sin rebuke before all, that others may also fear. 1. Sin - Do elders sin? Is an elder's sin worse than the same sin done by other? List some sins that should bring such an accusation against an elder? 2. Rebuke - How are we to rebuke an elder? Is this a formal meeting of the church when... [ Continue Reading ]
I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. 1. Angels - Why are angels included in this charge? What are the duties of angels? How are angels involved in church matters?... [ Continue Reading ]
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. 1. Lay hands - List some ways this term is used in the New Testament. Why would we "lay hands" on any one at any time? 2. Partaker - How can we partake in the sins of others? Does this verse refer to "guilt b... [ Continue Reading ]
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. 1. Water - Why should we not drink water? Does this verse prohibit the drinking of water? 2. Wine - What does this word mean today? What does the original term mean as it is used in the Bible? Does thi... [ Continue Reading ]
Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 1. Open - List some open sins. In what sense are sins open? Is there a difference in the punishment for open sins and other sins? Is there a difference in the impact on others? 2. Follow - How do sins fo... [ Continue Reading ]
Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid. 1. Manifest - How are our good works manifest? List some good works that are manifest. List some good works that are NOT manifest. 2. Hid - Can our good works be hidden? Why or why not? Did Jes... [ Continue Reading ]