• Qualities of a Sound Church

  • 1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:
  • 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;
  • 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—
  • 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
  • 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
  • 6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded,
  • 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
  • 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
  • 9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back,
  • 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

  • Trained by Saving Grace

  • 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
  • 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
  • 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
  • 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
  • 15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.