ABLE BOTH TO EXHORT AND TO REPROVE

23. On what are overseers to base their exhortation and reproof, and why must they be qualified to do this?

²³ In the inspired letter to Titus another important qualification of overseers is mentioned. It involves teaching, but it is a special aspect of it. The scripture says: “An overseer must be . . . holding firmly to the faithful word as respects his art of teaching, that he may be able both to exhort by the teaching that is healthful and to reprove those who contradict.” (Titus 1:7-9) It usually is not difficult for a person who has a good knowledge of the truth to use the Bible to exhort his brothers, to encourage them to continued faithful service. But the responsibility of overseers does not stop there. When difficulties arise, they must also handle these. They must use the Scriptures “to reprove those who contradict” the truth. If you were appointed to be an elder, would you be willing to shoulder that responsibility?

24. As to reproving, what questions does one seeking to qualify as an elder need to consider?

²⁴ When writing his second letter to Timothy, Paul emphasized the seriousness of this obligation that Timothy had as an overseer, saying: “I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is destined to judge the living and the dead, and by his manifestation and his kingdom, preach the word, be at it urgently in favorable season, in troublesome season, reprove, reprimand, exhort, with all long-suffering and art of teaching.” (2 Tim. 4:1, 2) Would you refuse or hold back from giving a reproof or reprimand when needed, or would you turn to God’s Word and use it to help your brother to straighten out his thinking and bring his conduct back into line with what is written there? To be an elder you must be willing to administer needed reproof. What you do may not in every case be appreciated by the wrongdoer, but some will be grateful. “The commandment is a lamp, and a light the law is, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.” (Prov. 6:23) Even though it might at times be difficult, would you take the initiative to administer “the reproofs of discipline” in order to help someone to stay on “the way of life”? It is indeed a blessing to the congregation that there are men who are willing to accept that responsibility.​—2 Tim. 2:24-26.

25. To what extent is it sometimes necessary to go in reproving those who practice sin?

²⁵ Overseers must also have the fortitude to do something publicly when necessary. Paul admonished Timothy: “Reprove before all onlookers persons who practice sin, that the rest also may have fear.” (1 Tim. 5:20) Sometimes individuals in a congregation of God will refuse reproof. Would you be afraid then that this might happen: “A man repeatedly reproved but making his neck hard will suddenly be broken, and that without healing”? (Prov. 29:1) Another translation puts it this way: “A man who is still stubborn after much reproof will suddenly be broken past mending.” Could you go that far, out of concern for the spiritual condition of the congregation as a whole, or would you ignore the individual’s stubbornness and close your eyes from the very beginning to his wrongdoing? An overseer must be “able both to exhort by the teaching that is healthful and to reprove those who contradict.”​—Titus 1:9.

26. What kind of persons do not belong in the Christian congregation, so what must the elders be alert to do?

²⁶ Paul was moved by the spirit of God to write in advance that there would be persons who claimed to be Christians but who wanted to serve God in their own way, not according to the Scriptures. He said: “For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories.” (2 Tim. 4:3, 4) For an overseer there is no room for compromise. If he really loves the congregation and is determined to help them, he must show fortitude and speak truth and righteousness. The congregation needs “healthful teaching.” Would you as an elder, along with other elders in your congregation, be watchful enough to follow the advice of Paul wherein he writes: “As for a man that promotes a sect, reject him after a first and a second admonition; knowing that such a man has been turned out of the way and is sinning, he being self-condemned”? Paul’s further words on this matter are: “But now I am writing you to quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man. . . . Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.”​—Titus 3:10; 1 Cor. 5:11, 13.

27. (a) Since all kinds of people come in contact with the Christian congregation, what did Paul warn would happen? (b) Do such things occur in our day? (c) So what is it necessary for the elders to do?

²⁷ There is no question about it, problems will arise in a congregation. All kinds of people will associate with the congregation and become Christians. But not all of them will remain Christians, and some will even try to subvert the faith of others and entice them into bad conduct. As Paul said: “I know that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among you and will not treat the flock with tenderness, and from among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.” That was not pleasant to think about, but Paul expected trouble to come within the congregation of God back there. It did. Why should we think it to be any different today when there is so much turmoil in the world and people from all nations and tongues, with different ideas of life, are fleeing from “Babylon the Great,” the world empire of false religion, and are seeking refuge in Jehovah’s theocratic organization? That is why it is so necessary to appoint elders in the congregation to shepherd the flock of God allotted to them and to keep the congregation clean. A true shepherd will protect the flock against wolfish elements.​—Acts 20:29, 30.

28. How should a person dedicated to God react to discipline, and why?

²⁸ The one dedicated to Jehovah God realizes that he is born in sin and shaped in iniquity. Everyone is going to make mistakes sometime. So, when an overseer in the congregation tries to help any of us to correct something that we may be doing that is wrong, we ought to appreciate why he is doing it. Jehovah does not want to see any of his sheep go astray. That is why we have the admonition: “My son, do not belittle the discipline from Jehovah, neither give out when you are corrected by him; for whom Jehovah loves he disciplines; in fact, he scourges every one whom he receives as a son.” (Heb. 12:5, 6) Anyone who endures the discipline that he receives through Jehovah’s organization will certainly have proof that God is dealing with him. “For what son is he that a father does not discipline?” (Heb. 12:7) As was true in olden times when God dealt with the Jewish nation, so today God uses “the older men” among his people to administer discipline. (Deut. 22:18) Do you respond appreciatively to the discipline that comes from those who as elders shepherd the flock of God?​—Prov. 8:33; 12:1-3; Heb. 12:11.

32. How can an overseer show love when one who has sinned comes to him for help?

³² Sometimes it is the wrongdoer who himself takes the initiative to get help. He may go to an overseer to make confession of his wrong. His desire to change his ways is commendable. “He that is covering over his transgressions will not succeed, but he that is confessing and leaving them will be shown mercy.” (Prov. 28:13) An overseer having love for his flock will take the time to hear one’s transgression and he will use the Bible to help the person to correct his thinking and his conduct. When anyone confesses his faults and gives them up, that is what an elder wants to see. In other words, the person is converted, he turns around from his wrongdoing and goes the right way. So, in harmony with Proverbs 28:13, the elder would be in a position to show mercy. It may be, though, that the elder will want the transgressor to see him every month so as to be sure he is making straight paths for his feet. A loving overseer will give that extra attention to those in the flock.