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Expanded Comments |
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| 1 Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work, |
Be subject to – The spirit of submission, rather than of contention, is enjoined upon the whole Church in its relationship to civil ordinances of men. R1553:2
"Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man, for the Lord's sake." (1 Pet. 2:13) R1553:2
Implies not merely a willingness to serve under compulsion, but implies also that we will not oppose earthly governments in any public manner. (Rom. 13:1) The public reproof and overthrow will come from the Lord. R5716:4
While our citizenship is in heaven, nevertheless, like all other foreigners, we are to be subject to the laws of the country in which we may be living. But obedience to the laws on the part of Bible Students does not imply military duty. R5928:3
Our allegiance to earthly lords and powers and their commands is merely to the extent that they do not conflict with the commands of our Over-Lord. R5929:2
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| 2 to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men. |
Speak evil of no man – To speak that which is injurious; therefore one should say nothing that would injure any man. R5529:1
Evil speaking is to say anything derogatory respecting another, to tell things uncomplimentary, to speak anything that is prejudicial to the character of another, whether it be truth or falsehood. R4281:2, 5471:5
Strictly forbidden to God's people as wholly contrary to his spirit of love, even if the evil thing be true. R4803:1
We should say nothing contrary to the Golden Rule. R5529:1, 4283:5
How much more evil in the Lord's sight must it be if any of the Lord's brethren should speak evil of one another--speak evil of a member of the Lord's Body! How terrible is the thought. (Psa. 50:19-22) R3275:6
This is an absolute command--not only of no man in the Church, but of no man outside the Church. R4616:4
How much more will love insist that a brother's weaknesses or blunders or sins be carefully covered. F290
Some of the most conscientious Christians have difficulty along this line. Any who ignore it prove their own lack of development. R5529:1, 5530:4, 4803:1, 4281:5
The disposition that thus exposes the imperfections of the brethren is surely not the love that covers. (1 Pet. 4:8) R5530:4
The sooner every follower of Christ comes to see that defamation is the theft of another's reputation, the sooner they will see this subject as it really is, in all its hideousness--as it must appear in the sight of the Lord. R5530:4, 4283:4, 3275:5
A slander is equally a slander, whether it is true or whether it is false, and is so regarded not only in the law of God, but also in the laws of civilized men. R2444:4, 5573:1*, 4281:2, 3030:2
Slander and evil speaking are assassinations of the character of another. R3275:5
Those who listen to slanderers are partakers of their evil deeds. R4803:2, 4281:6
An exception would be if you were a witness to a murder, theft, or any other heinous crime, it would be a duty to society to speak of the evil, to report it to the proper authorities. R4281:3, 2445:1
It is not evil speaking to report violations of rules of house or office. R5529:2
We may properly set forth that there is but the one true Church, organized by our Lord, and that all other churches, therefore are merely human systems. But it is not our privilege to tirade against these churches. R4433:1
Matt. 18:15-17 should be used with our brethren. R4281:5, 1575:3; F289
It is not our duty to speak evil in the interests of the Church. R5530:1
Do not render slander for slander. R5639:3
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good, to the use of edifying." (Eph. 4:29) R2588:2; SM183:1
Do we always follow this Scriptural rule? Or do we find ourselves possessed of a mean disposition, which takes pleasure in gossiping to others respecting what we know, or what we have heard derogatory to others? NS590:4
He does not say, Speak evil of no creed. Some of the creeds should be very evilly spoken of! He does not say that we are not to speak evil of an evil principle, but brings the matter down to personality. R5471:1
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| 3 For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. |
For we ourselves – Paul sums up the disciple's transformation from selfishness to the love of God in a few words of verses 3 to 6. R2648:5
Malice and envy, hateful – Beware of all thoughts, feelings and conditions of heart directly or remotely connected with these, for they will surely do great injury. R4803:6
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| 4 But when the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared, |
Kindness – Goodness. (Diaglott) R2648:5
God our Savior – The great Jehovah himself is the author of the salvation brought unto us by our Lord Jesus. E35
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| 5 not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
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He saved us – Delivered us from this evil condition of heart. R2648:5
By the washing – The bath of a new birth. R2422:6, 1768:3*
The purifying of regeneration. OV379:T
The cleansing power is "the Blood of Christ." (1 John 1:7) E445, R5854:3
Our regeneration or begetting again of the holy Spirit and our renewing by it comes to us in conjunction with the washing or cleansing which is effected in us by the operation of the truth--the divine message. R4125:1
Symbolized by the priests first washing at the laver before entering the Holy and thus typically becoming new creatures. R4125:1
Of regeneration – Begetting again of the holy Spirit. R4125:1
The reforming and justifying influences of faith in the Redeemer. Q822:3
The regenerating processes of the present time are with a view to bringing the Church class to a new nature. Their regeneration began when God imparted the holy Spirit, following consecration, and continues during lifetime, a transforming and renewing work. OV378:4
And renewing – Renovation of the holy Spirit. R1768:3*
The making new by the holy Spirit. R2422:6
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| 6 which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; |
Shed on us abundantly – Poured out on us richly as typified by the anointing of the head of the High Priest (Psa. 133:2), representing Jesus the Head and the Church, his members. R1768:3*; T29, T37
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| 7 that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. |
Justified by his grace – Down under all is the ransom--Jesus' death--the basis of all justifying faith--the channel of God's grace. (Rom. 3:24, 25) R441:2, 660:3
There was no obligation upon our Creator to do anything whatsoever for our recovery from the just penalty which he had placed upon us. F105
Be made heirs – Our Lord Jesus is the only heir under the Sarah Covenant. It is our coming into betrothal and union with him that gives us a share in that name and the honors and glorious future which it implies. (Gal. 3:28, 29) R1386:6
The hope of eternal life – The one hope--the resurrection of the dead. R1435:1, 6*
By a resurrection. The ground of this hope is found in Jehovah's promises, confirmed unto us by the death of our Lord Jesus as the ransom price for our sins, and by his resurrection from the dead for our justification. (1 Pet. 1:3; Acts 17:31) R1278:2
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| 8 Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire that thou affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men: |
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| 9 but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. |
Avoid foolish questions – Let the world speculate as it may about its own themes of interest, but let us devote ourselves to the one thing at hand. R3200:6
And contentions – The contentious spirit is generally to by found among those who are not living up to the spirit of the truth which they have already recognized. They have been attempting to grow in knowledge without growing in grace--in love, in kindness, gentleness, meekness, patience, etc. R4009:1
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| 10 A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse; |
An heretick – Those who wrest (twist) the Scriptures, and thus turn the truth of God into a lie. R1575:3
Doctrinal disorders are among the chief. R1575:3
Reject – If any come and bring not this doctrine (the ransom), receive him not. (2 John 10) R1453:4
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| 11 knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned. |
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| 12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, give diligence to come unto me to Nicopolis: for there I have determined to winter. |
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| 13 Set forward Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. |
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| 14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. |
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| 15 All that are with me salute thee. Salute them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. |
Salute thee – The churches in one place were prompt to send Christian greetings and benedictions to those in other places. R1895:4
Them that love us – We are to recognize as "brethren" those who have only the phileo degree of duty-love; but we are to see to it that we "love the brotherhood" (1 Pet. 2:17) with agape or higher love. R2807:5
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