Qualified Elders

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—

whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.

Qualities of a Sound Church

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—

in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,

Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back,

not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.