 Praise the Lord, everyone. Welcome to class. Thank you, Jefina Bubeker, Seluttholi Anita for joining class. We'll begin our study of First Timothy, we are in chapter 5. So we look at chapter 5 and I'm hoping we can complete chapter 6 as well today. So we'll do that. So we'll begin our study. From verses 19 onwards today, before that, one of you, please lead us in prayer. Please, anyone? Can anyone lead us in prayer? Anita, are you there? Can you lead us in prayer, please? Or Seluttholi, can you lead us in prayer? Yes, let's pray. Father, we come before Your presence in the name of Jesus. As we begin the session for today, Lord, I pray that You will give us the wisdom and the grace. So let's pray You teach us, Lord, lead us, and bless our pastor as she teaches the world. Lord, thank You, Father. We commit our life, our session into Him, in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank You, Seluttholi. So we were studying chapter 5. Okay. Chapter 5, we looked at verses 1 to verse 18. Just a minute. Yeah, verses 1 to verse 18. So verses 1, 2, and 3, we looked at Paul talking about relationships within the church. He's telling Timothy how the relationships should be within the church. Then verses 4 to 8, he talks about believers' responsibility to their own families in the context of taking care of widows. And then in verses 9 to 16, he talks about church's responsibility towards widows. He's basically defining who are the widows that are eligible for the church to take care of. And he's also talking about the family's responsibility that if the family is able to, they should take care of the widows in their own family instead of, you know, burning the church with their responsibility. Okay. And then verses 17 to 20, he's basically talking about how to lead spiritual leaders. So we are going to look at verses 19 and 20, where he's talking about how to treat a leader accused in sin. So can one of you please read verses 19 and 20 please? Or 1 Timothy chapter 5 verses 19 and 20? Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning repeat in the presence of all that the rest also may fear. Amen. Thank you, Zalatoli. So he's saying this, if there's any accusation that has been bought up against a leader, you know, it should not just be, you know, automatically just received, but the accusation should be carefully verified by two or three witnesses. And, you know, and he's telling Timothy that don't receive or promote any unproven, unsupported, unconfirmed accusations about any church leaders. Okay. So if there is any accusations, even he says it doesn't mean that you overlook it, but then, you know, you bring two or three witnesses and if they have witnessed it and they have seen it and testified to testify to it, then you can take the further steps, but just don't accept an accusation that automatically, when it's bought against a spiritual leader. And verse 20 he says, you know, that if any leader, you know, under Timothy's leadership or oversight is sinning and, you know, you basically correct them, you know, speak to them, encourage them, how to change, give them some time. But if they continue to sin, then he says, you know, you need to deal with it. And how do you deal with it? What does he say here in verse 20? How should he deal with a spiritual leader who's sinning? Okay. Thank you, Jeff. He says, rebuke them in the presence of all. What do you all think about that? What is your thoughts on verse 20? It looks very scary. I haven't seen such things happening anywhere yet. And I don't know how we take it for the culture that we are at. Okay. It's very scary. I think you used the right word, very scary, which means we need to be all the more careful that, you know, I think it's, it's not done like Jeffina says, right? In any of your places where you come from are spiritual leaders rebuke publicly in the presence of all. Hello, everyone in class. Okay. Zalutoli says no. Other than Zalutoli and Jeffina, do we have others in the class? Okay. Siboshi says no. Sure, we are here though we missed the question. Okay. So my question was, Paul says, as writing to Timothy and he's saying in verse 20, those who sin, he's basically talking about spiritual leaders because this is the context that he's talking about. So if spiritual leaders are sinning, he says rebuke them in the presence of all. So what are your thoughts on it? I think that's not the first stage according to me. I think we have, when we're reading other script, it says that you first talk to one on one, and if he doesn't change, call friends and like that. And I think the other one is the last stage. Yes. Yes, you're right. Because I just said that I said that if a person, what Paul is telling Timothy, speak to them, correct them, give them some time. But if they continue sinning, that's what I'm saying. If they continue sinning, then you need to address this matter publicly. So that is a context we're saying. So but she says no, most of the times he or she has been released from the job. Okay. As far as I'm concerned, I will go with that. I will do what Paul says. It is the truth. Okay. You'll do it because it's the truth or you have any other reason apart from it's just biblical and it's the truth? It usually refrains others. It is a form of training because you're helping him. You're helping him or her to literally know that what he's doing is not correct. Even if you've been warning him several times or higher several times. And if you maintain, you might be killing others in the team, you're spoiling them. And there is a saying which says that one apple can let the entire basket of apples rot. Thank you. Yes. Thank you. I think like some of them said it doesn't happen in the church context or in the church today. And I think if we begin doing it, you know, people, you know, spiritual leaders, all of us, you know, will be more careful, be more afraid. It's because everything is kept under wraps. It's kept under cover or the person is just sent off from their job or released from their job or the spiritual position. They have the right to go and tell everybody else that what they did was right and the judgment taken against them was wrong. You know, they can justify their actions, being human, you know. So I think it's important that the person is brought up in the front and spoken of and though it can be very, very humiliating, very, very heartbreaking, but I think it'll just do a lot of good to the church and to people to know that, hey, we need to be careful, right? Anyway, we'll move on. So he says, you know, if you know, publicly address it, and he says, why should you do it? Because the rest may also fear so that all the others will learn to walk in reverence before God and not lead others astray by continuing to do what is wrong. And it's so true because when we see spiritual leaders doing things that are wrong, you know, it can also justify the actions of others or others think that, hey, we can also do the same thing, okay? We'll move on to verses 21 to 23 where he's talking about some personal, giving some personal notes to a spiritual leader and verses 21 to 23. So can one of you please read these verses? First Timothy 5, 21 to 23, please. I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality, do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins, keep yourself pure, no longer drink on the water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infamities. Amen. Thank you, Lubega. So here in verse 21, it's interesting that Paul is charging Timothy or exhorting Timothy or reminding him that, hey, who is your witness or who's watching you? He charges him before God and he says, the Lord Jesus and the elect angels are watching him. Okay, God, the Lord Jesus and the elect angels are watching him. So this is a strong statement and it basically talks about, it refers to the serious nature of the role and the responsibility of a spiritual leader in the local congregation that even as we serve a God who is holy, pure and who desires that we be holy like he is holy, he desires also that we please him in everything that we do. Okay, so he's saying that, you know, be careful because even though I'm not there to watch over you, Timothy, you know, there's God, there's the Lord Jesus and the angels, elect angels are watching you. And Paul is charging Timothy, you know, to do things without prejudice, you know, without prejudging. Prejudice basically means prejudging or with personal preference and do nothing out of partiality, which means do nothing out of favoritism. Okay, so how was Timothy called to exercise this discipline? You know, Timothy might be in a place where he's more inclined to be maybe harsh towards those who had previously hurt him in the church or people who have gossiped about him or wronged him. You know, he's saying, however, you know, people would have wronged you or hurt you. But, you know, when you discipline somebody, you need to handle it without prejudices, without prejudging them or without personal preference. And the second thing he says is, you know, when you the process of disciplining somebody must be handled without favoritism. Okay, maybe Timothy would, you know, would have to discipline somebody who is his close friend, somebody who's extremely popular or a spiritual leader who's over him, somebody who's influential or wealthy, you know, but he's saying, you know, whoever the person is, do not show any partiality in the process of discipline, discipline everyone equally the same, because God, Christ and the angels are watching us. So, you know, there's something that we can learn as well, it's important for those of you in leadership position, you know, to establish a level of fairness, of righteousness, of justice for all in the church, you know, treat everybody equally and fairly, not because some people are from your tribe or nation or language or people group, you know, but treat everyone equally and fairly, no bias based on language or cultural backgrounds, no preferences based on social or economic status, sometimes we think, hey, if we correct or discipline somebody who's wealthy, a business person or somebody who's a prominent person of leadership in the city, in the nation, and you discipline them, they will lead church, they will make things difficult for you. And then he's saying, you know, don't look at all of those things, but discipline without any prejudice and don't show favoritism. So everyone should be given the same opportunity and everyone is expected to live by the same standards and carry out the same responsibility. Okay, so we'll move on to verse 22. Yes, Jeffina. Yeah, so when it says the term elect angels, what does it actually mean? So, elect angels basically means those who are basically watching over you, you know, who God has sent to God and watch over you. Yeah, Psalm 91 says he sends his angels to God and protect us in our way. So says those who are just watching over you, keeping an eye on you. Okay, says verse 22, do not lay hands on anyone hastily nor share in other people's sin, since keep yourself pure. Okay, so he's saying for this reason, he's saying, when you choose spiritual leaders, be very, very careful who you appoint as a leader. Don't be in a hurry. Don't do things hastily. And he says, you know, don't lay hands on anyone hastily. That means what? What does he mean? Don't lay hands on anyone hastily. What does laying on of hands mean? It means, you know, when there was a way of a professor and laying of hands to call somebody to ministry. So it actually meant that they shouldn't do it through emotions, through what they should be following the direction of the Holy Spirit, not their own. Yes, thank you, Lubega. So, you know, it says basically it's a meaning of ordaining somebody to a specific role. You know, don't be hasty in ordaining somebody because, you know, once you ordain them to a leadership position, you can't do anything later on. And he's saying, don't do it hastily means, hey, you know, they might have the charisma, they might have the spiritual gifts, they might be very, you know, good speakers, you know, great preachers, they might sway the crowd, they may win over the crowd and all of those things. But, you know, you come to know that they have characteristic flaws or their character is questionable or they're not living lives with the right attitude, then you can't do anything. So Paul is costing Timothy and he says, you know, let a man prove himself, give him some responsibility, you know, in ministry, watch his life, his conduct, his character, you know, the way he does things, don't be in a rush and, you know, at the right time, the leading of the Holy Spirit, you know, then you ordain him by laying on off heads. Okay. Verse 22, he says, do not share in other people's sins, keep yourself pure. Okay. So this is very important, he's a very important instruction for a spiritual leader, which means don't become an accomplice in crime with what people say and do. Okay. So if people in your congregation you want to do something that is wrong, you know, don't join them. If they want to make groups, you know, and try to bring about division, don't join that, don't be party to any group, you know, if they are doing a business and, you know, it's not right, ethically right, morally the standards are not right, don't join them. Okay. So we need to be very, very careful. And he says we can share in the sins of others by setting a bad example before them. We can also share in the sins of others by approving of what they are doing and ignoring the sins or the wrong way that they are doing it, the wrong means that they are doing it. And we can also share in the sins of others by joining, you know, a church that spreads dangerous teachings. So don't share in the sins of others by setting a bad example. Don't share in the sins of others by approving what they're doing by being parting party to what they are doing and saying or ignoring the sins without pointing it out. And don't share in the sins of others, you know, by spreading dangerous or false teaching and doctrines. And then he says keep yourself pure. Okay. So Timothy is called to observe, you know, and assess the lives of others. And it's important that he pays more attention to his own life by keeping his own life pure. So he says, even as you are going to be looking at spiritual leaders, even as you're going to be disciplining them, assessing them, whether they are to be ordained or not, it's important that you also keep or pay attention to your own life. Okay. Verse 23 says no longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities. Now, it might seem odd that Paul is making the statement here in the midst of his instructions to him on elders. And he's kind of digressing by telling Paul to stop drinking only water, but also use a little wine because of his frequent illness. So people have taken this verse and say it's okay for us to drink wine, which is not, we always need to interpret scripture in the light of other scripture. Okay. So here he's telling Timothy, use a little wine because of your frequent illness. Now, there are several thoughts or the several ways people have translated this or given meaning to this. They say that Timothy was probably abstaining from using, you know, excessive wine because of the cultural abuse of alcohol in those times that was very prevalent in the Roman, Greco-Roman world. And he was using water. So that is why he's having his frequent infirmities of stomach ailments because he was drinking water because in those days, you know, water was contaminated. And so most people used to mix a little wine to purify it. And since Timothy was abstaining from using wine, he was getting sick more frequent. So Paul is just commanding him to add a little wine to aid with his stomach. It does not mean that, you know, we can drink wine. It appears also that Timothy had an ongoing stomach problem. So, you know, he was asked to use wine as a medicinal value. Okay. So we can't use this verse to say that, hey, it's okay for us to drink a little wine because, you know, in our day and age, water, you know, even though it's not contaminated, but even if it's we can get pure drinking water, we have facilities for that. So use those facilities. And another thing is that, you know, if you have any ailments, then, you know, you needn't have to use wine because we're so advanced in the field of medicine that we can, you know, use various medicines. And this does not give us license to indulge in drinking wine or drinking alcohol. Okay. Then he ends with the outcomes in verses 24 to 25. So can somebody read verses 24 to 25, please? Anyone would like to read chapter 5 verses 24 and 25? Some men sins are clearly evident, proceeding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden. Men, thank you, John Paul. Verses 24 and 25, you know, Paul seems to be tying back to the issue of leader sinning, which is spoken of in verses 19 and 20, and the need for Timothy to keep away from becoming a partner with those who are doing wrong in verse 22. So in this regard, he's saying that some people's sins are out in the open, and, you know, it will be seen by everyone and they will be judged. And some people's sins, you know, even though we're not noticeable now, but sometime later, they will be exposed, okay, because the word of God says in numbers, you know, that your sin will find you out. Okay. So it will be exposed, sin will be exposed. Similarly, when people do good, you know, for some, the good is very, the good works that they do is very evident, can be seen by everyone. But for some people who do good, you know, it's not seen by everyone, they just do it very quietly. It's really temporarily hidden. But even what they do in secret will be rewarded by the Lord. Okay. So Paul is writing these words, you know, to be a caution to Timothy in his appointing of leaders. So I say sometimes, you know, what one sees on the outside isn't really an accurate picture of that person. Okay. So, you know, they might just be putting on a false image or a, you know, a mask, and we are not able to see behind their mask the real who, the real person that they are. So it's important that, you know, take it slow, wait for some time, and also wait for the leading of the Holy Spirit and for the discernment of God, even as you appoint leaders, even as you ordain them or put them in places of spiritual responsibility. So this is also, this can also be a learning for us when people come, you know, they show their good side, they seem to wear a mask, you know, like for some of us, you know, who we are at home is the real you, you know, people know you at home very well, whom is seen on the pulpit or in church is just then, you know, sometimes it's just a makeup of who we really are not. So, you know, it's important that even as we put people in various leadership positions to give them some roles, watch them, whether they're committed, faithful, they're willing to do it, in spite of not having a title attached to it, in spite of them not being a, you know, the sense appreciated in the sense, oh, this person did this, that person did that, they're quietly going about doing their work very committed, sincere, passionate, they are aligning themselves to the vision of the church, they're aligning themselves to the leaders, what the leaders are saying, they're not just going away and doing whatever they want. So all this, you know, should be seen by us as leaders and then appoint them in spiritual responsibility or spiritual being overseers of a special ministry or, you know, something that you want them to do in church. So this is Romans, sorry, this is First Timothy chapter five, anyone has any questions? We'll move on to First Timothy chapter six. Any questions? So it's First Timothy chapter five. Anything you'd like to say, discuss? Okay, we'll move on to First Timothy chapter six. So for us to study or understand better chapter six, you know, this chapter can be divided into six sections. The first one where he's talking, Paul is discussing about, you know, workplace relationships or relationships in the workplace. Basically he's talking about servants or bond servants, bond slaves, and their masters in the church. But we can look at it in our own context about how we as employees, you know, should work alongside or our work, the relationship with our employers that he talks about in verse one and two, then the words of truth that he mentions in verses three and five, then in verses six to 10, he talks about godliness with contentment, which is so important for us. And 11 to 16, he talks about the life of a man of god, how, you know, a man of God should live or a woman of God should live. Verse 17 to 19, he talks about the responsibilities of the rich. And was 20 to 21, he talks about, you know, to God, what has been entrusted to us. Okay, so we'll begin by studying verses one and two of chapter six. Can one of you please read verses one and two, please? Let as many as many bond servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor so that the name of God and his doctrine may not be blasphemes. And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serving them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved and exalt these things. Amen. Thank you, John Paul. Sorry for the confusion there. So says let as many bond servants so, you know, basically Paul is now talking about slaves and their relationship with their masters. He's spoken about, you know, various categories of people in the church. He's talked about older men, younger men, you know, older women, younger women. He's talked about widows in the church. He's talked about older widows, younger widows talked about family responsibilities. And there is another part of the church or other people group of the church that is a bond servants or slaves and that master which he is addressing here. So he's calling attention to all the slaves and he's telling them, you know, to count their own masters worthy of all honor. Okay. That means he's saying that, you know, count your masters to be good, respectful of, you know, good and worthy of respect. Okay. So the bond servants have to be good to their masters, be nice to their masters and respect them. And he's saying when you do this, you know, God would be glorified so that the name of God and his doctrine may not be blasphemy. Now, why is he writing about bond slaves and their masters here? Because, you know, church was a place where, you know, which had slaves also attend the service. So, you know, like maybe there we know that in those days in Paul's time, sorry, you know, churches never met in buildings. They didn't have their own church buildings like we have today. It was more like home churches, house churches. So slaves, as they go about doing the work, you know, could also listen to the preaching of the gospel would have accepted Christ or their masters would, you know, if they are good believers would also be prompted or stirred up by the Holy Spirit to let their slaves also listen to the preaching and teaching of God's word. And so many slaves were, you know, born again accepted Christ and they were part of the worship. So church, unlike the rest of the Greek or Roman world, was one place where the slave and the master would, you know, attend church service together, which was something which was very uncommon, unthought of, you know, something that was rarely, something out of the, out of the blue that was happening. So Paul is saying, hey, you know, slaves, you know, even though your masters have been good to you, you know, you need to, and you become, when you come to church, you are like all one together in Christ. But don't take that as that place or position as an advantage of not doing your job, of not respecting them, of not being faithful and sincere in the job or the work assigned to you. Okay. So in our context, you know, as employees, we are to respect, we are to honor our employers, those who are our bosses, you know, managers over us in the workplace, or even in the church. And why should we do that so that the name of God will be glorified and God will not be dishonored. So this is very, very important. Yes, we might have bosses who are difficult to show favoritism, who don't value our work, who don't sometimes even respect us, put us down, you know, all that can be there. But we need to show them the respect and honor, because when we do that, we're basically doing that to honor God. And his name is being glorified. And, you know, we leave the rest to God because it is, you know, the word of God says riches, a good name, glory and honor and riches come from God. So when God knows that you deserve the riches, the good name, the glory and the honor, he will just give it to you and no man can stop that because it's God who works. And when he does it, no one can come against that. Okay. So it's important for us. And also that, you know, how and we work in the workplace. It's also should be a testimony that we serve a living God. And it's also an opportunity for us to glorify God in the workplace. Basically, glorify God means manifesting his nature, who he is. Okay. And what he does. So we know that God is a God of order, of design, of purpose, of perfection. And we, when we do that in our work, we show an excellent spirit, and we manifest the fruit of the spirit that it's the nature of God, then it just glorifies God, it exalts his name in the midst of the unbelievers in the workplace. Okay. And also, you know, we need to do it so that people in the workplace or in the world will not blame God or the church for the wrong behavior of us Christians in the workplace. Okay. So that is also very, very important. As it is, you know, in our context, in the Indian context, you know, many of the unbelievers don't want to become Christians because they have looked at our immoral lifestyle, and they say, okay, if you know, if you become a Christian, then you know, you will start eating meat, you will start drinking, you will start partying, you will wear clothes that are very revealing and all of that. It's because of media is one of the things that has actually kind of placed this wrong image about us. And also, yes, as Christians, as believers, or so-called just Christians in India, we have set us a wrong example. So if you look at our movies, you know, it basically in nowadays, no, but in those days, you know, in the 80s, I'm talking about the 80s and the early 90s, all those who were the villains or the dawns in the movie, but all had Christian names, like they had Robert or, you know, Henry or whatever, and they would wear big crosses. And also, you know, they would, all of them who do these so-called very sensual dances in the pubs and all that, where all Christian names like Rita and all of those things, it gave a very wrong image of us as Christians. And it's very sad. So that is kind of stuck on to the mentality of Indians here. And it's very sad because of what we portray. I also remember, you know, the whole house we were living in, it was more like a flat. And my father invited our neighbors, you know, to come home on Christmas Day just because to see the decoration and also because we wanted to give them sweets and share the gospel. So there was a couple who had just moved in. And so my dad said, welcome, you know, invited them home. So he told my dad, oh, uncle, so when we come to your house on Christmas day, we'll get this. So he was basically talking about you'll get drinks, we'll get alcohol. And my father was very heartbroken. He was very disappointed. He didn't say anything. Of course, they had come home, but we didn't serve them any alcohol. We shared the gospel with them. And my father made sure that, you know, the life he lived in that department would really portray who a real believer is. So, you know, so important for us to set a good example in the workplace is very sad that we don't see that kind of example being set by believers, but it's important for us to teach people in the church, talk about this and that we can be examples and honor God and not blasphemy his name in our city or in our, in our place of work or where God has planted us or where we are living. Okay. And then he goes on to say, and those who have believing masters let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because they are benefited. But those who are benefited are believers and beloved, teach and exert these things. So he says, and those who have believing masters, that means he's basically talking to slaves and he's saying, Hey, you slaves, those of you are born servants, born slaves, you know, I already explained to you what is a born servant or a born slave, when we were studying the book of Romans, you know, so he's saying here that, you know, don't take advantage of your, if you have a believing master, don't take advantage of them. Perhaps it was very easy for a slave who had a believing master to say, Hey, you know, my master, you know, knows Jesus. And, you know, so, you know, I can, he knows that, you know, I have to go to attend church service, so I was not able to do this job or finish this chore. And after church, I was very tired. So he was, you know, he, he can understand because he too attended church and went back and slept and he needed some rest so he can understand. After all, he is, you know, believer in Christ and he needs to show me Christian love and, you know, and now, you know, there's no longer a slave master relationship between us because we're all one in Christ Jesus. We are equal. So I don't have to respect him. I don't have to, you know, do my chores. It's okay if I don't do some things. He has no right to question me. So, you know, Paul is saying, you know, don't take advantage of your belief of believing masters. Okay. And don't think that, okay, because he's a brother in Christ, you know, he shouldn't expect you to work hard. He should expect you to show you Christian love and perhaps even favor you compared to other slaves because they are unbelievers and you are a believer, you know, and because you are a Christian. Okay. So, you know, he's saying, don't take advantage, you know, because you might be equal before the Lord when you come to church. But that does not mean that you, that he has no rights. Your master has no right to tell you what to do. And that does not mean that, you know, he, you don't have, or he does not have the right for you to, you know, to question you when you're not doing any, the work that needs to be done. It also doesn't bring you to a place where you don't submit to his authority and to his command. Okay. And yes, you might be equal in Jesus, but that does not, that does not eliminate you from God's order of authority. Okay. Because we cannot ignore the fact that, you know, God has called us into places of relationship where we need to submit to authority. That means, you know, we studied in the kingdom of God, you know, our kingdom builders. We studied that God has put us, you know, in his place, governmental structures and authorities in every sphere of our life, whether it's home, whether it's in the church, in the workplace, in the society that we live in, there is a God ordained governmental structure, authority that we need to adhere to, that we need to submit to. So he's saying, you know, so you need to submit in the home, in the church, in the workplace. And because you're equal in Jesus doesn't eliminate you from God's order of authority. And he says, you know, if you have believing masters, you have to serve them well because, you know, those who are benefited are believers and beloved. So he's saying, you know, use this principle, you know, Christian slaves with Christian masters, where not free to despise their masters for expecting them to work and to work hard. Rather, he's saying that, you know, as slaves, you should be even more dedicated to your work because you are actually serving. Sorry, they're actually serving a brother, you're serving a fellow brother in the body of Christ, and which means that you need to be more dedicated more committed. Okay, so how does that apply to us in our own context? You know, just because we work in a church context, you know, we can't say, hey, you know, he's a believer, I'm a believer, we're all equal in the Lord. So he can't tell me what to do. He can't, you know, he shouldn't expect me to submit to him or to honor him or to do what he's saying, I can do as I feel led by the Holy Spirit. Okay, so that is not a right attitude. Also that, you know, yes, I'm working in a church context and Pastor knew that, you know, we had fasting and prayer, and he knows that we are all tired. So I wasn't able to keep up the, you know, the timeline for what I had to do and submit my work. He understands, you know, we can't give those kind of excuses. Okay, but what we need to do is for the same, we should be motivated to work all the more harder. You know, when we work in the secular world, people work so much more harder, but when it comes to, you know, in the spiritual context, you know, in the church context, people feel that, you know, they can be laid back, you know, take it casual, have a casual attitude, you know, but Paul is saying, no, even in the context of the church, we need to work harder. And, you know, God looks for fruit everywhere, whether we are in the secular world, whether more so in the Kingdom of God, he's looking for fruit. And he's saying, you know, we need to be a blessing in the way we, in our attitudes, in our behavior, in the way that we work, we need to be a blessing to another believer. Okay, so when working for a believer boss, you know, we need to serve them well, even more, and not take advantage of them. And so Paul is saying, you know, telling them to teach all of these things, exhort them about these things, and how to live as a believer in the workplace. Any thoughts on this? Anyone would like to share something? Any questions, any thoughts so far? No thoughts? Sometimes when we work in the church context, you know, we don't pursue excellence and perfection, and doing our best, and all that, because we think it's okay, God accepts us any which ways he loves us, he will just, you know, it's okay. But I think, even in the context of church or in ministry, where the part of a ministry organization, God looks for excellence, he looks for commitment, he looks for people with passion, and he's also looking for people who will multiply the talents and be good stewards of what he has entrusted to us. So the principle works everywhere, you know, not just in the secular, but also so much more in the kingdom of God. Okay, any thoughts, any questions? We move on to verses 3 to 5. Can somebody read verses 3 to 5, please? Anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to hold some words? Even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine, which accords with godliness, he is proud knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments of a word, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth. But suppose that godliness is a means of gain, from such, withdraw yourself. Amen. Thank you, John Paul. We'll take a break now and we'll come back up to break and we'll study these verses. Thank you.