It is good to desire to be a bishop but, as you said, it is not something to be idolized, and it is not a thing to be lorded over others (see also 1st Peter 5:1-3). The word orego (“If a man desire the office of bishop…”) means “to stretch one’s self out in order to touch or to grasp something, to reach after or desire something,” and epithumeo (“…he desireth a good work”) means “to have a desire for, long for, to desire.”

(R. Kelley,

Your getting caught up in semantics I think.

You do put forth good points that aside.)

It is a gifting, not an office.
You do not “attain” to it either.
It is given so you can serve to equip the Body of Christ –
not Lord over it.

Baxter wrote that a preacher must be, “not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.” Yet, today – so many pastors care more about their church attendance numbers than they do about God. They care more about preaching a popular message than about bringing sinners to Christ. They care more about bringing entertainment to church rather than letting the Holy Spirit bring real power to services.

Teachers must be additionally careful, for they are preaching the Word of God, and must be exceedingly careful not to desecrate it. False teachers will be held to their lies on Judgment Day – for leading their flock poorly.

Come to think of it – I think these warnings apply also to people like us who have blogs. Since we are proclaiming God’s Word, we must be very careful to preserve and interpret the Bible accurately. We must approach it with fear and trembling for our God is a Holy God and we must reverence His Word. Looking at your other posts – I see that God has given you wisdom and true understanding. Lots of edifying posts on your blog – thank you.

Please check out my blog, if you have time: http://americanconservative01.wordpress.com/

God bless.