Idle (ἀργός)

Idle (ἀργός) describes someone who has nothing to do or is unwilling to work and, therefore, lazy.

Words are important. Men will give account for every idle utterance that comes out of the mouth, Matthew 12:36. This is because the mouth speaks out from the abundance of the heart, Matthew 12:34. A good man will store up good treasure in his heart, where a malignantly evil one will bring forth malignantly evil things from the treasury of his heart.

Socialism is not a standard for the Church. As with secular socialism, when people are taken care of and allowed to be idle rather than work, they become lazy. However, within the assembly, the sharing of possessions can and should be done out of love. We are a community that cares for each other. Sharing is not to encourage laziness, for one who does not work is not to be permitted to eat, 2 Thessalonians 3:10. When a woman within the assembly becomes a widow, who is truly destitute having no living relatives, the local assembly is to care for her needs. This type of caring demonstrates our unity and love for the saints. However, if she is young or has other family members who can care for her, she is not to be financially provided for by the Church because of the danger of her becoming idle; instead, she is to marry, bear children, and manage the household, 1 Timothy 5:13.

The standards for a Pastor are essential for the assembly to know and to hold him accountable to. Paul left Titus in Crete to put things in order and appoint elders (pastors) in each of the cities, abiding by the guidance that Paul gave him, […]

Idle (ἀργός)Luther Walker2024-07-25T05:49:45-07:00

Pious (ὁσιότητι)

Often translated as holy, it actually is expressing holiness in action. Holiness means to be separated, where being pious happens as we separate ourselves unto God in actions. This naturally results in the rejection in our lives of the things of the flesh, the world, and Satan because they are contrary to who we are in Christ.

As an apostle, Paul determined that men should worship in every place, lifting up pious hands. Hands that work out the holiness we have in Christ (1 Timothy 2:8 – Therefore, I determine while worshiping all men in every place lift up pious hands apart from wrath and dispute). He is not saying lift up your hands during a worship service or in Church while praying. He is saying that our hands are to work out the holiness that we have in Christ while we are giving God credit for Who He is and what He has done (worship).

One of the requirements of a Bishop (Pastor or Elder) is to be pious (Titus 1:8 but fond of strangers, fond of good, a saved frame of mind, just, pious, self-controlled). As one who is responsible for an assembly, there are specific Scriptural requirements to hold the position of a Pastor. These men are not to be self-willed, addicted to wine, fond of money gained through false means (tithing), but hospitable, fond of goodness, having a saved frame of mind, while holding fast the doctrine of the word of faith, which will result in a lifestyle that shows forth their separation unto God. Being pious is accompanied by righteousness and blamelessness (1 Thessalonians 2:10 You and God are my witnesses as pious and just and blameless we became…), as these are […]

Pious (ὁσιότητι)Luther Walker2023-11-25T08:02:56-08:00

Three Times – Do You Love Me

After the resurrection of Christ, during His third appearance to the disciples He spoke with Peter about tending to those who would become Christians.

Therefore, when they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon of Jonah, do you love Me more than these? – John 21:15

Peter, along with some of the other disciples, went back to their fishing business after Christ’s death. However, Christ did not stay in the grave, for He was righteous and therefore God raised Him three days later, just as the Scripture stated. As they come to this realization, Jesus visits them multiple times, showing undeniable proof that He was raised. However, it was not time for the Kingdom to come in, now was the time of Grace. When the disciples realize the reality of what happened they begin to spread the word of the resurrected Christ. Peter, who had denied Christ because Satan persuaded him to be a coward, of which Peter was not, needed to be restored, so Jesus specifically speaks to him about caring for other saints.

In response to Jesus asking Peter if he loved Him more than fish, Peter replies, “he said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord, you intuitively know that I am fond of you.’” Jesus then instructed him to feed His lambs. This word used for lamb is actually one specifically used of those who are prepared for slaughter. As, unknown to the disciples at this time, persecution was going to come upon the Church because they were speaking the truth.

Jesus then asks Peter again if he loves him.

He said to him again a second time, “Simon of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord you intuitively know that I […]

Three Times – Do You Love MeLuther Walker2023-12-14T08:32:17-08:00

Philippians – Introduction

Introduction to the Book of Philippians

Written in 64 A.D. by Paul from a Roman prison to the saint, bishops, and deacons in Philippi.

Paul and Timothy, servants belonging to Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus, the ones who are in Philippi, with the Bishops and Deacons. Grace [is] to you and peace from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ.I give thanks to the God upon every remembrance of you, always in all my supplication on behalf of all of you, while making the supplication with joy,on the basis of your fellowship into the gospel from the first day until now, being persuaded of this same thing, that the One having begun in you a good work will bring it to its intended end until a day of Christ Jesus. Just as it is right for me to think this concerning all of you, because I have you in my heart, in both my bonds, and in the defense even confirmation of the gospel, all of you being my partners of the grace. For God is my witness, as I long for all of you with compassions of Christ Jesus.

Philippians – IntroductionLuther Walker2017-09-03T14:42:24-07:00

The Book of Philippians

Philippians

Written in 64 A.D. by Paul from a Roman prison to the saint, bishops, and deacons in Philippi.

The Book of PhilippiansLuther Walker2018-11-04T06:41:32-08:00

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