And after some verses: It behoveth therefore a bishop to be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, of good behaviour, hospitable, a teacher, not given to wine, no striker, but modest, not quarrelsome, not covetous, one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all chastity — but if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he have care of the church of God? — not a neophyte, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the judgment of the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony from them who are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Deacons in like manner chaste, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre, holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved, and so let them minister, having no crime. The women in like manner chaste, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, who rule well their children and their own houses. For they that have ministered well shall purchase to themselves a good degree and much confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. And after twelve verses:
Now the Spirit manifestly saith, that in the last times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to spirits of error and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy and having their conscience seared, forbidding to marry, to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful and by them that have known the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be rejected that is received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. These things proposing to the brethren, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which thou hast attained unto. But avoid foolish and old wives' fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness.
For bodily exercise is profitable to little: but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we labour and are reviled, because we hope in the living God, who is the saviour of all men, especially of the faithful. These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth: but be thou an example of the faithful in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, in chastity. Till I come, attend unto reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine. Neglect not the grace that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the imposition of the hands of the priesthood. Meditate upon these things, be wholly in these things, that thy progress may be manifest to all.
Take heed to thyself and to doctrine, be earnest in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee. Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father, the young men as brethren, the old women as mothers, the young women as sisters in all chastity. Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or grandchildren, let them learn first to govern their own house and to make a return of duty to their parents: for this is acceptable before God. But she that is a widow indeed and desolate, let her hope in God and be instant in supplications and prayers night and day. For she that liveth in pleasures is dead while she is living. And this command, that they may be blameless.
But if any man have not care of his own, and especially of those of his house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel. Let a widow be chosen of no less than sixty years of age, who hath been the wife of one husband, having testimony for her good works: if she have brought up children, if she have received strangers to lodging, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have ministered to them that suffer tribulation, if she have followed every good work. But the younger widows avoid. For when they have grown wanton in Christ, they will marry, having damnation, because they have made void their first faith: and withal being idle they learn to go about from house to house, not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I will therefore that the younger marry, bear children,
be mothers of families, and give no occasion to the adversary for the sake of reviling. For some are already turned aside back after Satan. If any of the faithful have widows, let him minister to them, that the church be not burdened, that there may be sufficient for them that are widows indeed. Let the priests that rule well be esteemed worthy of double honour: especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith: Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn; and: The labourer is worthy of his hire. Against a priest receive not an accusation, but under two or three witnesses. Them that sin reprove before all, that the rest also may have fear.
I charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, that you keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing by inclining to either side. Lay hands hastily on no one, nor be a partaker in the sins of others. Keep yourself chaste. Drink no longer only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent infirmities. The sins of some men are manifest, going before them to judgment; but some men they follow after. In like manner also good deeds are manifest, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden. Whoever are servants under the yoke, let them count their masters worthy of all honour, lest the name of the Lord and his doctrine be blasphemed.
And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them, because they are faithful and beloved, who are partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to that doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but languishing about questions and strifes of words, from which arise envyings, contentions, blasphemies, evil suspicions, conflicts of men corrupted in mind and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world; and it is certain that neither can we carry anything out.
But having food, and wherewith to be covered, with these we are content. For they that will be rich fall into temptation and into the snare of the devil, and into many unprofitable and hurtful desires, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the root of all evils is covetousness, which some coveting have erred from the faith and have entangled themselves in many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things: and pursue justice, godliness, faith, charity, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on eternal life, whereunto you are called, and have confessed a good confession before many witnesses.
I charge you before God, who quickens all things, and before Christ Jesus, who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate a good confession, that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. And after a few verses:
Charge the rich of this world not to be high-minded, nor to trust in the uncertainty of riches, but in God, who gives us all things abundantly to enjoy; to do good, to become rich in good works, to give easily, to communicate, to lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the true life. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to your trust, avoiding the profane novelties of words, and oppositions of knowledge falsely so called, which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen. XL. ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of soberness.
Therefore be not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but labour together for the gospel according to the power of God. And after very few verses: Hold the form of sound words, which you have heard of me in faith and love in Christ Jesus. Keep the good thing committed to your trust by the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us. And a little after: You therefore, my son, be strengthened in the grace which is in Christ Jesus: and the things which you have heard of me by many witnesses, the same commend to faithful men, who shall be fit to teach others also. Labour as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No man being a soldier to God entangles himself with secular business, that he may please him to whom he has approved himself; for also he that strives in the contest is not crowned unless he strive lawfully.
The husbandman that labours must first partake of the fruits. Understand what I say: for the Lord will give you understanding in all things. Be mindful that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel, in which I labour even unto bonds as an evil-doer; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory. It is a faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, we shall live also with him; if we suffer, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we believe not, he continues faithful, he cannot deny himself. These things put them in mind, testifying before God.
Contend not in words, for it is to no profit but to the subverting of the hearers. Be careful to present yourself approved unto God, a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will grow much unto impiety, and their speech spreads like a canker. And after six verses: The Lord knows who are his; and: let every one depart from iniquity who invokes the name of the Lord. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of earthenware, and some indeed unto honour, but some unto dishonour. If any man therefore cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and profitable to the Lord, prepared unto every good work. But flee youthful desires:
But pursue justice, faith, charity, peace with those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and undisciplined questions, knowing that they beget strifes. But the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, patient, with modesty admonishing those who resist: lest at any time God give them repentance to know the truth, and they recover themselves from the snares of the devil, by whom they are held captive at his will.
But know this, that in the last days perilous times shall come, and men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, haughty, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, wicked, without affection, without peace, slanderers, incontinent, unmerciful, without kindness, traitors, insolent, puffed up, lovers of pleasures more than of God, having indeed a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: and these avoid. For of these are they who creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins, who are led away by various desires, ever learning and never coming to the knowledge of the truth. And after eight verses: But you have followed my doctrine, instruction, purpose,
faith, longsuffering, love, patience, persecutions, sufferings, such as befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra: what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord delivered me. And all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall grow worse and worse, erring and driving others into error. But you continue in the things which you have learned and which have been committed to you, knowing of whom you have learned them; and because from your infancy you have known the sacred writings, which can instruct you unto salvation by the faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture, divinely inspired, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice:
that the man of God may be perfect, furnished unto every good work. I charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his coming and his kingdom: preach the word, be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine. For there shall be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables. But you be watchful, labour in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry. For I am now ready to be poured out, and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
For the rest there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord, the just judge, will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to those also who love his coming. XLI. ON THE EPISTLE TO TITUS. For this cause I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are wanting, and shouldest appoint presbyters in the cities, as I also appointed you: if any be without crime, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riotous living, or unruly. For a bishop must be without crime, as the steward of God, not proud, not angry, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre:
but hospitable, kind, sober, just, holy, continent, embracing that faithful word which is according to doctrine, that he may be able to exhort in sound doctrine and to convince those who contradict. And after a few verses: For which cause rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and to commandments of men who turn themselves away from the truth. To the clean all things are clean: but to them that are defiled and to unbelievers nothing is clean, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess that they know God, but in their works they deny him, being abominable and incredulous, and to every good work reprobate. But do you speak the things which become sound doctrine.
That the aged men be sober, chaste, prudent, sound in faith, in love, in patience. The aged women in like manner in holy attire, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teaching well, that they may teach the young women prudence, to love their husbands, to cherish their children, to be discreet, chaste, having care of the house, kind, subject to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Exhort the young men in like manner, that they be sober. In all things show yourself an example of good works, in doctrine, in integrity, in gravity: sound speech that cannot be reproved: that he who is on the contrary part may be afraid, having nothing evil to say of us. Servants to be subject to their masters, in all things pleasing them, not contradicting, not defrauding, but in all things showing good fidelity.
that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. For the grace of God our Saviour has appeared to all men, instructing us, that denying impiety and worldly desires, we should live soberly and justly and godly in this world, looking for the blessed hope and the coming of the glory of the great God and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity and cleanse to himself an acceptable people, a pursuer of good works. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise you.
Admonish them to be subject to princes and powers, to obey at a word, to be ready to every good work, to blaspheme no man, not to be litigious, but modest, showing all meekness towards all men. And after a few verses: It is a faithful saying, and concerning these things I would have you affirm, that they who believe in God may be careful to be foremost in good works. These things are good and profitable to men. But avoid foolish questions and genealogies and contentions and strivings about the law: for they are unprofitable and vain. A heretical man, after a first and second admonition, avoid, knowing that such a one is subverted and sins, being condemned by his own judgment. XLII. ON THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON.
For I had great joy and consolation in your charity, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother. And a little after: Whom I would have retained with me, that in your stead he might minister to me in the bonds of the gospel: but without your counsel I would do nothing, that your good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary. XLIII. ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. Take heed, brethren, lest perhaps there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, to depart from the living God: but exhort one another every day, whiles it is called Today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if yet we hold fast the beginning of his substance firm unto the end. While it is said:
Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. And after a few verses: Let us fear therefore, lest the promise being left of entering into his rest, any of us be thought to be wanting. For to us also it has been announced, as well as to them: but the word that was heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith of those who heard it. And in another place: Having therefore a great high priest that has penetrated the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. And after four verses: Let us go therefore with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace in seasonable aid. And a little after:
For God is not unjust, that he should forget your work and the love which you have shown in his name, you who have ministered to the saints and do minister. But we desire that every one of you show forth the same solicitude to the accomplishing of hope unto the end, that you become not slothful, but imitators of those who by faith and patience shall inherit the promises. And after seven verses: For men swear by one greater than themselves, and an oath for confirmation is the end of all their controversy. And after some space: Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering — for he is faithful that has promised — and let us consider one another to provoke unto charity and to good works:
not forsaking our assembling together, as the custom of some is, but comforting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there now remains no sacrifice for sins, but a certain dreadful expectation of judgment and the raging of fire, which shall consume the adversaries. A man making void the law of Moses dies without any mercy under two or three witnesses: how much more, think you, does he deserve worse punishments who has trodden underfoot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the testament unclean by which he was sanctified, and has offered an affront to the Spirit of grace? For we know who has said: Vengeance is mine, and I will repay, and again:
The Lord will judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But call to mind the former days, wherein being enlightened you endured a great fight of sufferings. And on the one part indeed you were made a spectacle by reproaches and tribulations, and on the other part became companions of those who so behaved themselves. For you both had compassion on those in bonds, and took with joy the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an abiding substance. Do not therefore lose your confidence, which has a great reward. For patience is necessary for you, that doing the will of God you may bring back the promise. For yet a very little while, and he that is to come will come and will not delay:
But my just man lives by faith: but if he withdraw himself, he shall not please my soul. And some space after: Therefore we also, having so great a cloud of witnesses set over us, laying aside every weight and the sin which surrounds us, let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us, looking on the author of faith and finisher Jesus: who, having joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and now sits at the right hand of the throne of God. For think diligently upon him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you be not wearied, fainting in your minds. For you have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin: and you have forgotten the consolation which speaks to us as to sons, saying:
My son, neglect not the discipline of the Lord, nor be wearied whiles you are rebuked by him. For whom the Lord loves he chastises: and he scourges every son whom he receives. Persevere under discipline: God deals with you as with sons. For what son is there whom the father does not correct? But if you be without discipline, whereof all are made partakers, then are you bastards and not sons. Moreover we have had fathers of our flesh for instructors, and we reverenced them: shall we not much more obey the Father of spirits, and live? And they indeed for a time of few days instructed us according to their own will, but he for that which is profitable in receiving his sanctification.
Now all discipline for the present indeed seems to be not of joy but of sorrow: but afterward it renders the most peaceable fruit of justice to those exercised by it. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down and the loosened knees, and make straight steps for your feet, that no one halting may stray, but rather be healed. Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see God. Looking diligently lest any man be wanting to the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up impede, and by it many be defiled: lest there be any fornicator or profane person as Esau, who for one meal sold his birthright. And in another place: Let the charity of brotherhood remain. And do not forget hospitality.
For by this some, entertaining angels, have unawares received them to their houses. Remember those in bonds as bound with them, and those that labour as being yourselves also in the body. Marriage honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Let your manners be without covetousness, contented with what you have. For he himself has said: I will not leave you, nor forsake you: so that we may confidently say: The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man may do to me. Remember your prelates who have spoken to you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ yesterday and today, the same also for ever. Be not led away with various and strange doctrines.
It is best that the heart be established by grace, not by meats, which have not profited those who walk in them. We have an altar, whereof they have no power to eat who serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought for sin into the holies by the high priest, are burned outside the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people by his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Let us go forth therefore to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have not here a lasting city, but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us always offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips confessing his name. But do not forget beneficence and communication: for by such sacrifices God is won.
Obey your prelates and be subject to them: for they watch as being to render an account for your souls, that they may do this with joy and not groaning: for this is not expedient for you. Pray for us. For we trust that we have a good conscience in all things, willing to conduct ourselves well. XLIIII. ON THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER. Though now for a little while, if it be needful, you be made sorrowful in various temptations, that the trial of your faith may be much more precious than gold that perishes by fire. And in another place: Wherefore having the loins of your mind girded, being sober, hope perfectly for that grace which is offered you in the revelation of Jesus Christ:
As children of obedience, not fashioned according to the former desires of your ignorance, but according to him that has called you, being holy, be you also holy in all conversation, because it is written: You shall be holy, for I also am holy. And if you invoke as Father him who without respect of persons judges according to every one's work, converse in fear during the time of your sojourning. And after some verses: Purifying your souls in the obedience of charity, in the love of brotherhood, love one another more earnestly from a simple heart, being born again. And after a few verses:
Laying aside therefore all malice and all guile and dissimulation and envies and all detractions, as newborn infants desire the reasonable milk without guile. And after a few verses: Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims to abstain from carnal desires, which war against the soul. Having your conversation good among the Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they may, considering you by your good works, glorify our God in the day of visitation.
Be subject therefore to every human ordinance for God's sake: whether to the king as excelling, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and for the praise of the good — for so is the will of God, that by well-doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men —, as free, and not as having liberty for a cloak of malice, but as the servants of God. Honour all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, honour the king. Servants, be subject with all fear to your masters, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is grace, if for conscience toward God a man endures sorrows, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if sinning you be buffeted and endure it?