Peace, Love, & Understanding

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• Col 4:1 . . Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you
know that you also have a Master in heaven.

I have yet to find a passage in the Bible condemning slavery as a moral evil. I'm
not saying that such a passage doesn't exist; only that in my 52 years as an
ongoing Bible student via sermons, books, seminars, lectures, Sunday school
classes, radio programs, and personal study, I've yet to run across one. The Bible's
primary issue with slavery is the treatment of slaves.

The master in heaven is providential. In other words: Christian masters have a
sacred obligation to house their slaves in decent accommodations, clothe them with
adequate garments, and nourish them with good food too because slave masters
are a father to the souls in their house; they depend on him to care for them;
there's no one else; and according to Gen 1:26-28 and Matt 12:11-12, people
deserve to be treated better than an animal.

Whether the above rule should be taken to apply in normal labor relations can be
disputed, but in my judicious estimation; Christian employers really ought to pay
their workers a living wage-- augmented with timely adjustments for inflation -
rather than just paying them the least they can in order to keep profits up and
overhead down. Just saying.
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Please review the comments in post No.1 because your inquiry hasn't anything to
do with either the topic, or the purpose, of this thread.
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I did so before posting.
A rule of the elder serving the younger is what came to mind

[ "I was once asked by an atheist why Christians have so many rules when all they need is just one: the so-called Golden Rule."]

 

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• Col 4:6 . . Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt

Grace can be defined as kind, courteous, gentle, patient, lenient, inclined to good
will, generous, charitable, altruistic, compassionate, sympathetic, thoughtful,
cordial, affable, genial, sociable, cheerful, warm, sensitive, hospitable, considerate,
and tactful.

It seems to me from the language and grammar of Matt 5:13, Mark 9:50, and Luke
14:34 that the primary purpose of salt is to enhance flavor and make otherwise
naturally insipid and/or bad-tasting things palatable, viz: salt can be thought of as
diplomacy; roughly defined as conversation that makes an effort to maintain peace
rather than provoke conflict and/or annoy people and make them uncomfortable.
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• 1Thess 4:18 . . Encourage each other with these words.

Below are the words to which Paul referred

"Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to
grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose
again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep
in him. According to The Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive,
who are left till the coming of The Lord, will certainly not precede those who have
fallen asleep.

. . . For The Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with
the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ
will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air. And so we will be with
The Lord forever." (1Thess 4:13-17)

In other words: when non Christians and such lose a non Christian loved one, the
loss is assumed permanent; but when Christians lose a Christian loved one, the loss
is presumed temporary.
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• 1Thess 5:11 . . Therefore encourage one another, and build each other up, just as
in fact you are doing.

Building up is just the opposite of tearing down. Christians in Galatia were busy
doing just that.

"But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed one
of another!" (Gal 5:15)

Biting and devouring one another describes cannibals and carnivorous beasts.
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• 1Thess 5:13b . . Live in peace with each other.

In this instance, "each other" probably refers to fellow believers.

The category of peace Paul is talking about is social; viz: harmony in personal
relations. The Hippies and the peace-nics failed to achieve peace primarily because
they couldn't be civil among themselves unless they were high on mood-altering
drugs.

Peace can be defined as: calm, pacific, tranquil, at rest, quiet, and free of trouble
and strife.

A lack of peace is characterized by war, quarrelling, debating, vendettas, hostility,
grudging, fault finding, nit picking, chafing, competition, rivalry, cold shouldering,
factions, taking sides, cliques, hostility, militancy, disorder, antagonism, fighting,
conflict, struggles, et al.

NOTE: Never assume that everyone you meet in church is a fellow believer. Going
to church on Sunday is just what some people do, and probably have done ever
since they were kids. There was a time when going to church on Sunday was
considered good citizenship; and quite a few people were there for no other reason;
i.e. church sort of fills out their social résumé. And then some people attend church
because they're lonely and wanting to meet some new friends; etc, etc, etc, etc.
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• 1Thess 5:14a . . We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly

The "brothers" in this case likely addresses church managers.

The Greek word for "unruly" is ataktos (at-ak'-toce) which means: irregular; viz:
out of order; disorderly.

Unruly people are like kindergartners; but that's to be expected from their age
group: little kids are disruptive, boisterous, and impulsive. They go off-subject and
say whatever they want right out of the blue. They provoke and antagonize each
other, they don't listen, they talk out of turn, can't stay in their seats, and they
meddle and can't mind their own business.

When I hear of four supposedly adults on a television talk show throwing hissy fits
and walking off the set, and/or talking out of turn; and spontaneously interrupting
each other in mid sentence-- sometimes all four speaking at once --I have to
wonder.

And so-called presidential debates where again two supposedly mature adults,
competing for the power to run the country, are hurling accusations and
recriminations, assassinating each other's character, and calling each other names;
I get disgusted. God forbid that Christ's followers act like that either in church or
out in the world.
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• 1Thess 5:14b . . Comfort the discouraged

A discouraged person is someone who's given up all expectation that a situation will
improve or change; viz: despairing.

In order to obey that directive, it's necessary to become personal with the people
with whom you attend church. Too many Christians are like little islands of
humanity in church. They warm a pew on Sunday morning and then get up and
leave without bothering to spend even one minute mingling. They don't attend
Sunday school because in Sunday school you meet people-- you associate with
them; you get to know them, and they get to know you.

As disagreeable as that might be for private types of Christians, Sunday school is
the best place in church to go for sympathy, for encouragement, and for support.
Unfortunately, not many Christians are comfortable with negativity; and tend to
distance themselves from people down in the dumps.

Canadian folk singer Gordon Lightfoot released a sentimental song back in 1975
that speaks volumes about sympathy. Its lyrics are very touching. Here's a few that
we feel especially appropriate.

Rainy day people always seem to know when it's time to call.
Rainy day people don't talk, they just listen till they've heard it all.
Rainy day lovers don't lie when they tell 'ya they've been down like you.
Rainy day people don't mind if you're cryin' a tear or two.

NOTE: In Dr. Laura Schlessinger's book "Ten Stupid Things That Men Do To Mess
Up Their Lives" she lists men's propensity to fix things. In other words: instead of
simply lending a sympathetic ear to people's problems, some men tend to see
people with problems as "broken" and in need of repair-- i.e. damaged --and then
of course they take the initiative to begin offering unsolicited remedies. No; the
idea is to console the discouraged rather than talk them out of their low state of
mind.

FYI: There're quite a few sites online offering lists of Sympathy Do's and Don'ts that
are pretty easy to find with a simple "Google" search.
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• 1Thess 5:14c . . Support the weak

That could probably be stretched to mean any number of things; but I should think
it includes care for your church's aged and/or infirm; viz; people on crutches,
people getting around in wheel chairs, people who can no longer drive a car, people
lacking enough health to even leave their residences and go shopping on their own,
people stuck in assisted living: that sort of thing.
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• 1Thess 5:14d . . Be patient with everyone.

The Greek word for patient is makrothumeo (mak-roth-oo-meh'-o) which has little
to do with getting fed up with people. In James 5:7-8 it speaks of giving things
space to happen in their own good time.

I would say that in this case, makrothumeo speaks of giving people a chance to
either catch on or catch up. For example: we all perfectly understand what we're
saying while those hearing may need to have us restate ourselves in different
words in order to clarify a misunderstanding.
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• 1Thess 5:15a . . See that none render evil for evil unto any man;

Reciprocation is a normal response to abuse, injustice, and ill will but it isn't an
acceptable response; unless of course turning the other cheek is somehow no
longer in vogue for Christ's followers.

"But ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men."
(1Thess 5:15b)

Christian conduct isn't a temporary uniform kept in the closet just for Sunday
mornings like the rather odd patrons who wear costumes at Star Trek conventions.
No, Christian conduct is every-day wear: in the home, on the job, at school, at the
beach, at the mall, at the park, at the beach, in restaurants, at the dentist, in
amusement centers, at the zoo, at the circus, on the internet, et al; in other words:
ever-followed; not just at church on Sunday morning; which makes ever-following
that which is good somewhat stressful at first; until it becomes second nature, i.e. a
habit.
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• 1Tim 5:1a . . When speaking to an older man, appeal to him respectfully as
though he were your own father.

There's probably nothing more humiliating to a parent than to be treated like dirt
by their children-- except maybe to be treated like dirt by a spouse.

Americans have the right to a trial by a jury of their peers. Well, a child is not a
parent's peer; he's not even the parent's equal let alone his peer. Parents are not
children's peers; no, parents are their betters, not their equals. It's a thoughtless,
wicked, insolent dunce who treats their parents with no more respect than a college
beer buddy.

I was in a Sunday school class one morning where a young fellow substituted for
the regular teacher. After practically every sentence during his lecture, the fellow
would pause, tighten his lips, turn down the corners of his mouth, squint his eyes
into narrow slits, and look around the room with a fierce scowl on his face; and
better than half that room was older than he was. I don't know about the rest of
the group, but as a man easily twice his age; I deeply resented the looks that
youngster was giving us.
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• 1Tim 5:1b . .Speak to the younger men as you would to your own kin.

In this case, the "kin" would be sort of like a man's younger siblings; viz: his kid
brothers. Young boys look up to their big brothers; who by all rights should be
setting the example as role models that a growing boy can be proud of. Big
brothers ought to be available too, and not treat their younger siblings as excess
baggage and/or uncool nerds and morons beneath their dignity to be seen with.

Church officers who grew up in dysfunctional homes, where human relationships
were an ongoing cold war, are going to find that 1Tim 5:1b is very difficult to obey
in a manner that exemplifies peace, love, and understanding. Were they to speak
to the younger men in church the very same way that they're accustomed to
speaking to their families growing up; it would produce disastrous results.
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• 1Tim 5:2a . . Speak to the older women as mothers,

Speaking to older women as mothers means doing so in compliance with the fourth
of the Ten Commandments.

"Honor your mother" (Ex 20:12)

Honoring one's mother means giving her the respect that her age and her maternal
position deserve. It means watching your language, and it means keeping a civil
tongue in your head. It means speaking to her as a grown-up instead of a child. It
means treating her as superior and you as subordinate. It means deferring to her
wishes instead of demanding your own.
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• 1Tim 5:2b . . Speak the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

The Greek word for "purity" is hagneia (hag-ni'-ah) which means: cleanliness; viz:
chastity

Webster's defines "chastity" as: abstention from unlawful sexual intercourse and/or
purity in conduct and intention

Church officers are sometimes admired as celebrities; ergo: they're in an
advantageous position for meeting star-struck women; thus opportunities for trysts
abound.

Officers should especially avoid speaking to the young women in church as if
hanging out in a beer joint or a bowling alley. These days it's all too easy to
inadvertently pick up inappropriate speech habits due to the proliferation of vulgar
and/or suggestive language in television and Hollywood movie scripts. Keep it
professional guys.
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• 1Tim 5:3-4 . . Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, her kin should learn first of all to put
their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their
parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.

A widow in real need would be one who is unable to work and has no one of her
own to look out after her. Here in modern America that situation isn't nearly as
serious as it is in third world countries where there are n o government assistance
programs for senior citizens. So you can see that in those circumstances a widow's
church may be the only thing between her and grinding poverty.

A widow's Christian progeny have a sacred obligation to provide for their aging
ancestor.

"Those who won't care for their own kin, especially those living in the same
household, have disregarded what we believe. Such people are worse than infidels."
(1Tim 5:8)
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• 1Tim 5:3-4 . . Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, her kin should learn first of all to put
their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their
parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.

A widow in real need would be one who is unable to work and has no one of her
own to look out after her. Here in modern America that situation isn't nearly as
serious as it is in third world countries where there are n o government assistance
programs for senior citizens. So you can see that in those circumstances a widow's
church may be the only thing between her and grinding poverty.

A widow's Christian progeny have a sacred obligation to provide for their aging
ancestor.

"Those who won't care for their own kin, especially those living in the same
household, have disregarded what we believe. Such people are worse than infidels."
(1Tim 5:8)
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Question once more for yourself.

What is your religion?

 

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• 1Tim 5:9-10 . . No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over
sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such
as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping
those in trouble, and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

There are unprincipled individuals out there who love nothing better than taking
advantage of a church's good nature, and its desire to be helpful. Following Paul's
directive is a good way to avoid being victimized by one of them. (cf. Ruth 2:11)
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• 1Tim 5:16 . . If any believing man or woman have widows, let them relieve them,
and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

It's awful to think that a religion based upon love, has to command its adherents to
extend kindness to their own kin.

But in all fairness, I should point out that Paul's directive only impacts believing
widows rather than unbelieving, because a Christian church is under zero obligation
to support widows who fail to meet all the requirements of a "widow indeed" as per
1Tim 5:9-10.

What we're talking about here are specifically Christian widows; so if those among
your relatives are say, Atheist, Agnostic, Muslim, Buddhist, Bahái, Hindu, Jehovah's
Witness, Scientology, or Mormon, et al; then don't even think about asking your
church to help support them. If you want to help them, okay, but leave your church
out of it.
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• 1Tim 5:16 . . If any believing man or woman have widows, let them relieve them,
and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

It's awful to think that a religion based upon love, has to command its adherents to
extend kindness to their own kin.

But in all fairness, I should point out that Paul's directive only impacts believing
widows rather than unbelieving, because a Christian church is under zero obligation
to support widows who fail to meet all the requirements of a "widow indeed" as per
1Tim 5:9-10.

What we're talking about here are specifically Christian widows; so if those among
your relatives are say, Atheist, Agnostic, Muslim, Buddhist, Bahái, Hindu, Jehovah's
Witness, Scientology, or Mormon, et al; then don't even think about asking your
church to help support them. If you want to help them, okay, but leave your church
out of it.
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Incorrect.

A strength of forgiveness is what is upheld in the heart no matter the beliefs of the widow.

Why you choose the word obligation is an interesting view point.

The school of thought I come from leaves liberty of decision to all the household on how to respect their elders.

Kaddish is an honor given freely.

Blessings Always