Pray At All Times

Wow. I wouldn't have been praying with thanksgiving if I'd been thrown in a nasty dungeon.

What am I missing that Paul and Sials had?

Elders and Deacons

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Paul writes that people who desire to take leadership in the church have an admirable goal.

This reminds me of a conversation I had once with a friend. We discussed volunteering, and I asked why anyone would ever subject themselves to school board service. It's stressful and unpaid.

He replied that his brother had been a school board president, and that the goal was to help the schools improve and provide a top-notch education.

I imagine that this should be the motivation of church elders and deacons, too.

I

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There's the key!

Paul writes "I" in verses 9 and 12.

This is Paul's personal approach, not a universal principal.