| 保羅在這幾節經文，清楚表明他寫這封書信的目的。他似乎只在革哩底作短暫停留，卻在那裡建立了不少小型的教會，而需要一些有很強委身心志的領袖，繼續帶領它們。迪信（F. W. Dixon）指出：「一間教會之所以變得壯大或弱小、繼續成長或逐步衰亡、活力充滿或暮氣沉沉，主要在於它有怎樣的領袖。」 保羅清楚列出教會領袖需要具備的素質。他必須無可指責並誠信可靠；他必須專一愛護妻子，又有教導兒女的智慧；他不會堅持己意，也不會性急易怒。牧養的工作實在需要很大的耐性。 積極方面看，作領袖的人要熱心款待客人，愛好美善之事。初期教會經常與熱心款待拉上關係，所涉及的，當然不單是本地的信徒，還包括外地的訪客。即使在今天，若能在家中款待他人用飯，對許多來教會中的人也會是莫大的幫助。 接著，保羅繼續強調，領袖需要莊重、公平、聖潔和自持；他必須值得別人信賴，富有憐憫之心。不論是在公眾場合，還是獨自一人，都要謹言慎行，學像基督的樣式。教會若有這樣的領袖，必能興旺發展。 除了個人品格之外，領袖還要懂得堅持真理。教會中的領袖、教師或傳道人，都要有堅定不移的信仰，都要明白聖經、相信聖經和謹守聖經的真理，以至能駁倒傳播假教義的人。 主啊，求你賜我們更多這樣的領袖和教師。阿們。 |
| Paul's purpose in writing is spelled out very plainly in these verses. It would seem his visit to Crete was rather brief. But he left behind a number of small churches, which needed strong dedicated leadership. F. W. Dixon wrote, "Whether a church is strong or weak, a living force or a dying cause, powerful or lacking in vitality, depends largely on the leadership of the church." Paul's list of requirements for these leaders is plainly stated. That person must be blameless and of unquestioned integrity. He must be a faithful husband and a wise father. He will not merely insist on his own way and he must not be quick-tempered. Pastoral work requires enormous patience at times. On the positive side, a leader must be generous in hospitality and a lover of good things. Hospitality is often mentioned in connection with the early church. No doubt it covered not only church members but visitors to that town as well. Even today no greater help can be given to many in our churches, than to be invited to someone's home for a meal. Then Paul continues the list of qualifications in short, strong terms - self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. Leaders must be trustworthy, sympathetic, Christ-like, and continually careful of their behaviour, public and private. Any church with leaders like that will prosper. Paul has listed personal qualifications. Now he turns to the leader's stand for the truth. These points should be true of every leader, teacher or preacher in any church. "He must have settled convictions. He must know the Bible, believe the Bible, and hold fast to the truth of the Bible." He must be able to speak out against false doctrine. Lord, give us more leaders and teachers like that. Amen. |
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