GENEVA BIBLE 1599
The Bible of the Pilgrims who founded America and also the Bible of the Reformation.
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1 Rebuke (1) not an Elder, but exhort him as a father, and the younger men as brethren,
(1) Of keeping measure in private reprehensions according to the degrees of ages and kinds.
2 The elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all pureness.
3 (2) (a) Honor widows, which are widows indeed.
(2) The Apostle giveth these rules touching the care of widows.
(a) Have care of those widows which have need of help.
4 (3) But if any widow have children or nephews, let (*) them learn first to shew godliness (4) toward their own house, and (5) to recompense their kindred; (6) for that is an honest thing and acceptable before God.
(3) Widow's children and nephews must take care of their parents according to their ability.
(*) Paul willeth that the widows put the Church to no charge which have
either children or kinsfolks, that are able to relieve them, but that
the children nourish their mother or kinsfolks according as nature
bindeth them.
(4) The first reason, because that, which they bestow upon theirs, they
bestow it upon themselves.
(5) Another, because nature itself teacheth us to recompense our
parents.
(6) The third: because this dutifulness pleaseth God.
5 (7) And she that is a widow (*) indeed and left alone, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
(7) The second rule: Let the Church have care of such as are widows indeed, that is to say, such as are poor and destitute of help of their own friends, and live godly and religiously.
(*) Which hath no manner of worldly means to help herself with.
6 (8) But she that liveth in pleasure, is (*) dead, while she liveth.
(8) The third rule: Let widows that live in pleasure, and neglect the care of their own family, be holden and accompted as fallers away from God and his religion, and worse than the very infidels.
(*) Because she is utterly unprofitable.
7 These things therefore command, that they may be blameless.
8 If there be any that provideth not for his own, and namely for them of his household, he denieth the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
9 (9) Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, that hath been the wife of (b) (*) one husband,
(9) The fourth rule: Let none under threescore years old, be taken into
the number of widows, to serve the Congregations or Churches, and such
as are free from all reproach of unchastity, and are well reported of
for their diligence, charity, and integrity.
(b) That hath had no more husbands, but one at one time.
(*) He meaneth such widows which being justly divorced from their first husband’s married again to the slander of the Church; for else he doeth not reprove the widows that have been oftener married than once.
10 And well reported of for good works; if she have nourished her children, if she have lodged the strangers, if she have (c) washed the Saint’s feet, if she have ministered unto them which were in adversity, if she were continually given unto every good work.
(c) This is spoken in respect of the manner of those countries.
11 (10) But (d) refuse the younger widows, for when they have begun to wax (*) wanton against Christ, they will marry,
(10) The first reason why younger widows are not to be admitted to this
ministry, to wit, because of the lightness of their age, they will at
length shake off the burden that Christ hath laid upon them, and think
rather upon marrying again; and so will forsake the ministry whereunto
they had bound themselves.
(d) Take them not into the assembly of widows.
(*) Forgetting their vocation.
12 Having (*) damnation, because they have broken the (♣) first faith.
(*) Not only have slandered the Church in leaving their charge, but have forsaken their religion, and therefore shall be punished with everlasting death.
(♣) They have not only done dishonor to Christ in leaving their vocation, but also have broken their faith.
13 (11) And likewise also being idle they learn to go about from house to house; yea, they are not only idle, but also prattlers and busybodies, speaking things which are not comely.
(11) Another reason: because they are for the most part prattlers and busybodies, and gadders up and down, neglecting their charge and duty.
14 (12) I will therefore that the younger women marry, and bear children, and govern the house, and give none occasion to the adversary to speak evil.
(12) The fifth rule: Let younger widows marry and govern their houses godly.
15 For certain are already turned back after Satan.
16 (13) If any faithful man or faithful woman have widows, let them minister unto them, and let not the Church be charged, that there may be sufficient for them that are widows (*) indeed.
(13) The sixth rule: Let the faithful help their widows at their own charges as much as they can, and let not the Congregation be burdened with these expenses.
(*) Which are without all man’s help and succor.
17 ¶ (14) The Elders that rule well, are worthy of (e) (*) double honor, (f) specially they which labor in the word and doctrine,
(14) Now he giveth rules, and sheweth how he ought to behave himself
with the Elders, that is to say, with the Pastors and such as have the
governance in the discipline of the Church, which is president of their
company. The first rule: Let the Church or Congregation see to this
especially, as God himself hath commanded, that the Elders that do their
duty well, be honestly maintained.
(e) We must be more careful for them, than for the rest.
(*) Deuteronomy 15:18 .
(f) There were two kinds of Elders, the one attended upon the government
only, and looked to be manners of the Congregation; the other did beside
that, attend upon preaching and prayers, to and for the Congregation.
18 For the Scripture saith, (*) Thou shalt not mussel the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn; and, (♣) The laborer is worthy of his wages.
(*) Deuteronomy 25:4; 1 Corinthians 9:9 .
(♣) Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:7 .
19 (15) Against an Elder (*) receive none accusation, but under two or three witnesses.
(15) The second rule: Let no accusation be admitted against an Elder, but under two or three witnesses.
(*) Except that he which doeth accuse him, have at least two witnesses which promise with the accuser to prove that which they lay to his charge.
20 (16) Them that sin, (*) rebuke openly, that the rest also may fear.
(16) The third rule: Let the Elders so convicted be rebuked openly, that they may be an example to others.
(*) Chiefly the ministers and so all others.
21 ¶ (*) (17) I (♣) charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect Angels, that thou observe these things without (♠) preferring one to another, and do nothing partially.
(*) 1 Timothy 6:13 .
(17) The fourth rule: Let sincerity be used without any prejudice or respect of persons in Ecclesiastical proceedings (especially against the Elders), because God himself is there present, and the Lord Jesus Christ with a multitude of Angels.
(♣) Or, protest.
(♠) Or, without hasty judgment.
22 (18) Lay hands (g) suddenly on no man, (*) neither be partaker of other men’s sins; keep thyself (♣) pure.
(18) The fifth rule: Let the minister lay hands suddenly on no man. Let
him not be faulty herein either, either by favoring any man's folly, or
perverse affection. If ought be not done otherwise of his fellows, let
him keep his conscience pure.
(g) As much as in thee lieth, do not rashly admit any whatsoever, to any
Ecclesiastical function.
(*) In admitting them without sufficient trial.
(♣) From just offence.
23 (19) Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake, and thine often infirmities.
(19) The sixth rule: Let the Elders have indifferent consideration of their health, in the manner of their diet.
24 (20) Some men’s sins are open (*) beforehand, and go before unto judgment; but some men’s (♣) follow after.
(20) Because hypocrites sometimes creep into the ministry although there be never so great diligence used, the Apostle willeth the Pastors not to be troubled therefore, or slack any whit of their diligence in trying and examining, because the Lord hath appointed a time to discover the faults of such men, and it is our parts to take heed that we offend not therein.
(*) As Simon the sorcerer.
(♣) Their sins follow, which for a time have deceived the godly, and after are detected, as Saul, Judas, and other hypocrites.
25 (21) Likewise also the good works are manifest beforehand, and they that are otherwise, cannot be hid.
(21) Another comfort belonging to them, which sometimes are slandered and misreported of.
1 Corinthians 14:8
And also if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to battle?
"Let not Geneva be forgotten or despised. Religious liberty owes it most respect." John Adams, the second president of the United States
Before, and many years after the KJV was printed, the GENEVA BIBLE was the People's Choice, but an ungodly King made it illegal to publish it any longer: http://www.genevabible.org/Geneva.html Click on "Geneva Bible History" on my site.
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