Commentary on the Appointment of the Deacons

This link provides one interpretation of verses 1-7.

I didn’t notice, until reading the commentary, that a focus of the controversy is not that the early Church is unable or unwilling to provide for the needy.  Rather, it’s that non-Jewish believers are systematically overlooked in the distribution of food.

Even at the beginning of the church, there was a tendency toward excluding certain people from its benefits.

This wasn’t right 2000 years ago, and it’s not right today.

So You Want To Be a Pastor?

Image by JL Outdoor Photography via Flickr

This epistle is written as a primer and encouragement to Timothy, a young pastor and friend to Paul.

Here’s a brief outline:

1. Be careful of false teachings
   
2. I, Paul, am a positive model
   
3. Pray lots
   
4. Paul’s thoughts on women
   
5. Elders and deacons
   
6. Living like a pastor
   
7. Caring for widows
   
8. Concluding advice
   

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