Roseangela Agunda

It was necessary to make formal accusations because their work was not done well, so disciplinary action was t obe taken against them. There were temptations to compromise and not go through it because the rebuke was to be open before the congregration, this was to be done as a warning to the rest, not to go the same way. This was a difficult exerice because it was embrassing to be found is such a situation. These days there is alot of compromise because most people are not out to work for God, but are working for themselves, hence no one to discipline them.

Elders who are in fulltime ministry, who direct the affairs of the church well, should be honoured Tim 5:18 says do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain and the worker deserves his wages.

The responsibility we have is for providing for them for this is according to our faith, putting it into practise. It is a repaying of debt paying for what they did for us, doing what they did for us. Paul compares those who refuse this reponsibity worse than unbelievers.

Because only the word of God has power to bring positive change into peoples lives. A strong example of godliness is a must because people learn to do what they see in action. people must see practical, godly living demonstrated in the lives of their leaders

Godliness is living a God oriented lifestyle driven from the word of God that transforms by the renewing of the mind. Hence produces a above reproach lifestyle, produces character, leadership, mentorship,sincerity, self control, respect, hospitable, not given to drunkeness etc. Loving God with all the heart, soul and spitit produces godliness, this is brought about by pleasing God while morality is brought about by self righteousness.

Ligalism seems to be attractive because it tangible, it appeals to a sense of self righteousness but it is unable to restrai the inner corrupt person. It touches more on physical things The difference is that the true gospel through the Holy spirit touches and changes the inner man. Only the Holy spirit can create a truly godly person.

Paul is reminding Timothy of the increase of wickedness in the last days, Jesus foretold about it. Paul is warning him incase he sees these things happen, he should be far away from them, he should distance himself from such persons or thing. It was imminent that it was going to happen through prophesy, so paul as his apostal is raising the alarm, his kind of telling him be eqquiped so that he is not caught by surprise or be overwhelmed. This knowledge would equip them, on how to prepare his church in teaching, in showing them what to do so that it could not easily interefere with the affairs of his ministry.

These are worthy to consider, then you can know who has matured. Mature leaders are able to stand trials and challenges because the devil will try to trap them with all sorts of wiles. When these factors are not considered, you find that the foundation is shaky and when the testing of times comes, it will not stand.

Leaders should be observed carefully to be able to stand the traps of the devil. They can easly bring disrepute on the church. Their examples will be emulated by families they head. A man but of one wife proparly married, above reproach, self controlled, respectable, able to teach, not given to drunkeness, not vilent, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money, must manage his family, not a recent convert, good reputation with outsiders.

Paul is talking about a leader worthy to follow, a pace setter, one people can look up to and lead the same kind of life his leading, one that can be called a mentor, one who can lead people to cross over the red sea. When a leader is of good standing, then you find the followers living the kind of lifestyle he lives.

Women dressing in fancy clothes was drawing attention to themselves and not to God, they focused on competition. Culture and territories should be taken into consideration.

The men were going throug motions of prayer lifting up holy hands and their mouths and hearts were full of anger and infighting that was taking away the focus of God directing it to their own problems. God says in such a case the consequences are that he turns away and hides his face, he will not listen at all to any prayer offered.

I agree with the teachings of Paul, is in order with the word of God women are to be submitted under the authority of their husbands or their churches. This is so because women tend to stray away easily and can lead many people astray. Women always need to be controlled and because God is the one who created us he knew that very well and placed women under authority. That is why he even created Adam first the eve and gave Adam the opportunity to name her, he said this is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.

He wants them to understand that there is one they had to look upto, the one who gives salvation, by own strength is not possible. He came to mediate for us, stood between us and God by going to the cross as a sacrifice. This is the one who can change us.

Bcause Salvation is the heartbeat of God is for all. The church at Ephesus was teaching the wrong doctine, they thought salvation was only for them and not the gentiles. Looks like evangelism ministry was not effective at all, hene the church was infiltrated by wrong teachings.