Chapter III.—Exhortations as to...

Chapter III.—Exhortations as to ecclesiastical duties.

“Honour widows that are widows indeed.” ¹²⁷⁸ Be the friend of orphans; for God is “the Father of the fatherless, and the Judge of the widows.” ¹²⁷⁹ Do nothing without the bishops; for they are priests, and thou a servant of the priests. They baptize, offer sacrifice, ¹²⁸⁰ ordain, and lay on hands; but thou ministerest to them, as the holy Stephen p. 114 did at Jerusalem to James and the presbyters. Do not neglect the sacred meetings ¹²⁸¹ [of the saints]; inquire after every one by name. “Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example to the believers, both in word and conduct.” ¹²⁸²

Footnotes

113:1278

1 Tim. v. 3.

113:1279

Ps. lxviii. 5.

113:1280

The term ἱερουργέω, which we have translated as above, is one whose signification is disputed. It occurs once in the New Testament (Rom. xv. 16) where it is translated in our English version simply “ministering.” Etymologically, it means “to act as a priest,” and we have in our translation followed Hesychius (Cent. iv.), who explains it as meaning “to offer sacrifice.” [The whole passage in the Epistle to the Romans, where this word occurs may be compared (original Greek) with Mal. i. 11, Heb. v. 1, etc.]

114:1281

Specifically, assemblies for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

114:1282

1 Tim. iv. 12.