Page 8 - May 2023 - Truth & Tidings

he might be lifted up with pride and fall reflect the integrity and honesty of charac-
just as Satan fell. A case can be made that ter which is characteristic of the assembly.
pride is the original, ultimate and crown- He represents the assembly publicly and
ing sin. If I understand Scripture aright, must live consistent with its testimony. His
no one is immune to it at any stage of life. business life and community life must be
However, Paul here warns about the pos- without strain or compromise. The danger
sibility of someone who lacks experience is that otherwise he is leaving himself
and spiritual maturity falling into the sin open to the snare which the false accuser,
of pride of position and thus falling as the devil, can bring against him.
Satan fell. Again, it must be stressed that Most of what is expected of those in
Paul does not place an age restriction on leadership should also mark each believer
leadership. His concern is with spiritual in the assembly. Perhaps only the mat-
maturity that may come at a relatively ters of “apt to teach” and “not a novice”
young age for some believers and be late set him apart from the remainder of the
in developing in others. assembly. Spiritual maturity is the goal
The Testimony from Without of each one who comprises a testimony
He must have a good testimony among for God. Sitting in judgment on leaders is
believers. That is obvious or else he will soul-withering. Pray for them and submit
not have their confidence in leading them. for the good of the assembly and its testi-
Here, however, the requirement is that he mony (Heb 13:17). Someone has well said
have a “good report” of those who are not that if you want better leaders, then pray
part of the assembly. A man is expected to for the ones God has given you.

Male Leadership Continued from p. 133
But a text ripped from its context is could never supply the spiritual ballast
a mere pretext. In Galatians, Paul pro- that women provide. The service they
claims justification by faith alone and not contribute is as valuable as the work of
by works (2:16). He only addresses the men, and men could not do what they do
vertical relationship of people with God, without female support. Blessing depends
not the horizontal relationship of men on women’s prayer. Married women serve
and women with each other; their heav- God by bringing up children and support-
enly position “in Christ,” not their earthly ing their husbands (1Ti 2:15). All women
condition in a family or in an assembly. strengthen the believers by their mercy
God accepts everyone who places faith and hospitality, and by their service to
in Christ on the same ground, no matter other women (Titus 2:3-5) and children.
who or what they are. All believers are Gospel outreach would be impossible
“one man in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28 ASV, without women – one-third of the workers
RV; cf. Eph 2:15), fused not only to Christ whom Paul compliments in Romans 16 are
but to each other. Far from neutralizing female. The good works of women build
all ethnic, social or gender distinctions integrity into the assembly and endorse
among Christians, this verse states that it to outsiders (1Ti 2:10; 5:10). When men
these distinctions – which it assumes – do display the glory of headship and women
not imply spiritual inequality before God. the glory of helpership, we have pre-fall
Assemblies depend on women. Men Eden all over again.

136 TRUTH kTidings May 2023