(Col. 2:8) And these are not the only dangers associated with unprofitable questions.

A Christian who indulges in speculation from the platform or in group Bible study tends to attract undue attention to himself. Personal theories can cause division of thought and even lead to disputes about trifles. Ones newly associated with Jehovah’s congregation might be stumbled by what would appear to be a lack of love and unity. By setting up hypothetical situations and then speculating on the answers to problems posed thereby, are we not in fact adding to Jehovah’s words? In matters that involve our everlasting life it is not prudent to judge or conclude from slight indications or merely probable grounds. We cannot worship Jehovah in spirit and in truth if our worship is based on speculation. Truth and theory are not synonymous. Wisely, Paul’s inspired counsel is: “If any man teaches other doctrine and does not assent to healthful words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, nor to the teaching that accords with godly devotion, he is puffed up with pride, not understanding anything, but being mentally diseased over questionings and debates about words. From these things spring envy, strife, abusive speeches, wicked suspicions, violent disputes about trifles on the part of men corrupted in mind and despoiled of the truth.”—1 Tim. 6:3-5.

GET ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE

Exactly what is “the teaching that accords with godly devotion”? Paul identifies it in his salutation to Titus: “Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the faith of God’s chosen ones and the accurate knowledge of the truth which accords with godly devotion upon the basis of a hope of the everlasting life which God, who cannot lie, promised before times long lasting.” (Titus 1:1, 2) Yes, it is the getting of accurate knowledge of Jehovah’s Word of truth and the dispensing of it to others that should be our concern in these pre-Armageddon days, in harmony with Paul’s letter to the Christians in Philippi, along with overseers and ministerial servants: “This is what I continue praying, that your love may abound yet more and more with accurate knowledge and full discernment; that you may make sure of the more important things, so that you may be flawless and not be stumbling others up to the day of Christ, and may be filled with righteous fruit, which is through Jesus Christ, to God’s glory and praise.”—Phil. 1:9-11.

Accurate knowledge and full discernment of the important matters vital to your salvation are constantly brought to your attention by Jehovah’s “faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time.” (Matt. 24:45) Each issue of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines contains rich food for your building up in faith and love. Additionally, there are the neighborhood Bible study groups sponsored by local congregations of Jehovah’s witnesses, where understanding of God’s purpose is gained by use of such study helps as the book “Let Your Name Be Sanctified.”

A profitable use of time is the daily reading of the Bible itself, with the aim of eventually reading it from cover to cover. As questions arise from such reading or other Bible study, you can check with the Watch Tower Publications Index to locate interpretative and background material in the Society’s Bible-study aids. To the rear of the Index is a section headed “Scripture Index.” By checking the sources listed after scriptures cited therein you can get helpful information. The “Subject Index” too is a key to endless hours of profitable Bible study through use of the Watch Tower publications at hand or in the library of the local Kingdom Hall.

As you keep up with the advancing light of Bible truth, remember that your purpose in studying is to learn how the Scriptures apply to you and your personal relationship to Jehovah God and his kingdom under Christ. Ask yourself during periods of study: “Have I got all that is in this scripture or paragraph? How does this verse or thought fit into the pattern of healthful teaching I have already learned? Do I understand the principles taught by this text? Have I observed its prophetic content? What Christian doctrine does it teach? Does this instruction affect my dealings with others? How?” Note any interesting background facts provided. Concentrate your attention on “digesting” as much as you can of the “solid food” necessary to your Christian maturity and victory in the fight of faith.—Heb. 5:14.

By making sure of the important things and building your faith on the accurate knowledge of God’s Word you will be able to preach and teach with authority, as Jesus did. (Matt. 7:28, 29) Your words will carry weight and conviction, enabling you to fulfill your Christian duty to build others up with truth and love. (Eph. 4:15) Your avoiding speculation and unprofitable questions will demonstrate your meekness and willingness to await Jehovah’s due time to provide further information on any matter, if it be his will. This he can easily do by further enlightening our understanding of the Bible, by bringing to pass events foretold therein, or even by resurrecting the dead with their detailed knowledge of past events. By waiting upon Him and his organization all of Jehovah’s servants will speak in agreement, being “fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought,” to his praise and our eternal welfare.—1 Cor. 1:10.

Let us make the wisest use of our time, then, avoiding unprofitable questions and always remembering Paul’s counsel: “Learn the rule: ‘Do not go beyond the things that are written.’”—1 Cor. 4:6.

Questions From Readers

● Why does the King James Version at 1 Timothy 3:1, 2, speak of “bishops” and at 1 Timothy 3:8, 10, 12, 13, of “deacons,” whereas the New World Translation terms the former “overseers” and the latter “ministerial servants”?—R. H., United States.

The religious words or titles “bishop” and “deacon” are simply words that have been more or less closely transliterated into the English language; that is, they are carried over much like the way they appear in the Greek instead of being translated. These two words are epískopos and diákonos. To illustrate: “Logos” and “Christ” are transliterated because they are titles. If not used as titles, they would be “word” and “anointed.”

In the days of the apostles there were no titles for servants among the Christian congregations and so in the letters of Paul these words should have been translated. However, at an early time the apostate church made titles out of these designations and applied them to men who held positions corresponding to the form of service or office that is described by these Greek words. This falling away was foretold by the apostle Paul at Acts 20:29, 30.

The King James Version was translated at the express command of King James of England by men who belonged to the Church of England and in which there were officers known as “bishops” and “deacons.” So instead of translating the Greek words epískopos and diákonos according to what they literally mean,