The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. … (An elder) must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!

Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. … If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God … so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Ja 3:1; 1Ti 5:17, Ti 1:9; He 5:11-12; He 5:13-14; 1Pe 4:10-11

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.