Qualifications for Elders
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For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should e set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you -
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if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, f having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.
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For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, g not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,
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but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,
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holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.
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For there are many insubordinate, both idle h talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,
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whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, i for the sake of dishonest gain.
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j One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."
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This testimony is true. k Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
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not giving heed to Jewish fables and l commandments of men who turn from the truth.
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m To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.
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They profess to n know God, but o in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, p and disqualified for every good work.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 11:34
But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.
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Cross References
1 Timothy 3:2 - 4
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach.
Titus 1:6 - 8
If a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.
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Cross References
Leviticus 10:9
Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations.
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Cross References
James 1:26
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.
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Cross References
1 Timothy 6:5
Useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
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Cross References
Acts 17:28
"for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 13:10
Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.
2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
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Cross References
Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: "Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men.
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Cross References
Luke 11:41
But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.
Romans 14:14
I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
Romans 14:20
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense.
1 Corinthians 6:12
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
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Cross References
Matthew 7:20 - 23
Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Matthew 25:12
"But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
1 John 2:4
He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
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Cross References
2 Timothy 3:5
Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
2 Timothy 3:7
Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
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Cross References
Romans 1:28
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.