BLAMELESS; of irreproachable character.
VIGILANT; watchful and circumspect in his deportment and office.
SOBER; sober-minded, properly regulating his appetites and passions.
OF GOOD BEHAVIOR; orderly and decorous in all his deportment.... [ Continue Reading ]
GREEDY OF FILTHY LUCRE; that is, of gain obtained by base arts and
employments.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH ALL GRAVITY; with reverent and decorous deportment in all things.
The words refer to the deportment of his children. It is proper that a
bishop as a minister of the gospel should be married: and if married,
he should with discretion and fidelity discharge the various duties of
the head of a fam... [ Continue Reading ]
A NOVICE; one recently converted, who has but little knowledge of
Christian doctrines and duties, and has not yet become fully
established in the faith.
THE CONDEMNATION OF THE DEVIL; that which befell him for his pride.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE A GOOD REPORT; be of unblemished reputation in view not only of
Christians, but of others.
THE SNARE OF THE DEVIL; which he sets by tempting men so to act as to
injure themselves and the cause of religion. As the work of a bishop
is sacred and momentous, it should be undertaken only by those w... [ Continue Reading ]
GRAVE; dignified and decorous in their deportment.
DOUBLE - TONGUED; deceitful, saying one thing and doing or meaning
another.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MYSTERY OF THE FAITH; the doctrines of the gospel, so called
because they are addressed to our faith, and are a revelation of
truths undiscoverable by the light of human reason.
IN A PURE CONSCIENCE; a conscience not defiled by indulgence in sinful
practices. The deacons must be sound in daily... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVED; tried in regard to their previous Christian life, and their
qualifications for the office.... [ Continue Reading ]
MUST THEIR WIVES BE GRAVE; in selecting deacons, regard must be had to
the character of their wives, for they will greatly help or hinder
their husbands in their work. But many prefer to render, "must the
women be grave"; that is, those selected to be deaconesses.... [ Continue Reading ]
A GOOD DEGREE; a good standing in the church of Christ, enlarged
influence and means of usefulness.
GREAT BOLDNESS IN THE FAITH; in professing and maintaining the faith.... [ Continue Reading ]
The office work of both bishops and deacons is such, that their
comfort and success in it depend much on the character and conduct of
their wives. These should be pious, prudent, and discrect, especially
in the use of the tongue; and say nothing which is suited to do evil
to themselves or others. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE HOUSE OF GOD; in conducting the affairs of the church.
PILLAR AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH; the church is the means of sustaining,
extending, and perpetuating the saving knowledge of divine truth among
men. The cordial reception of the great truths of the gospel,
especially those which relate to... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS; that great mystery of the manifestation of
God in human nature, of which the apostle proceeds to speak. It is a
mystery, as having been hitherto hidden in the secret counsels of God;
and the mystery of godliness, as having godliness for its end in all
that believe.
GOD WAS... [ Continue Reading ]