A Study About Elders - Just | Words Of Truth
Words Of Truth

Words Of Truth


"That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth..." (Proverbs 22:21).

A Study About Elders
Just


I. Introduction:

A. The first person in the Scriptures you read about being identified as a “just” person was Noah (Genesis 6:9).

  1. When he was warned of God, he took action (Hebrews 11:7).
  2. He was spared from the first destruction of the earth (II Peter 2:5).
  3. As a just man, he saved his family (Genesis 7:1).
B. A just person is one that walks in the Lord’s statutes, keeps His judgments, and deals truly (Ezekiel 18:9).

  1. We see this in Christ (John 5:30).
  2. The just are those who live by faith (Romans 1:17 and Hebrews 10:38).

II. Body: Just (Titus 1:8).

A. The word translated “just” in this verse is defined as: “equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively): — just, meet, right(-eous)” (Strong’s # 1342). The Greek word appears 81 times and is translated - “righteous” (41x’s), “just” (33x’s), “right” (5x’s), and “meet” (2x’s).

  1. This term is used to show being just is an action (Romans 2:13).
  2. This term is translated “righteous” to describe obedient people (Luke 1:5-6).
  3. This term is translated as “righteous” in a context that reveals such a person is scarcely saved (I Peter 4:17-19).
  4. In another context wherein this term is translated “righteousness”, we see a just person being a doer of God’s will (I John 3:7-10).
  5. When the term is translated “right” (Matthew 20:1-16 [vs. 4; 7], Luke 12:57, Acts 4:19, and Ephesians 6:1).
  6. The term is translated “meet” (Philippians 1:7 and II Peter 1:13).
  7. We will discuss holy in our next lesson (Titus 1:8).
B. Not someone who is a self-justifier (Proverbs 18:17).

  1. We see this in a “certain lawyer” (Luke 10:25-37).
  2. We see this in Aaron and Saul too (Exodus 32:1-25 and I Samuel 15:1-23).
  3. To avoid being a self-justifier one must be reminded of how it is even possible for us to be just (Romans 3:24-26, I Corinthians 6:9-11, and Titus 3:7).
C. Being just will give an elder a certain perspective about the unjust (Proverbs 29:27).

  1. A just man will be vexed by the conduct of the wicked (II Peter 2:7-8).
  2. The Lord’s perspective on the unjust is clear (II Peter 2:9).
  3. Think about various statements just people have made throughout the Scriptures so that we understand some balance (Psalms 119:53, Psalms 119:115, Psalms 119:136, Psalms 119:139, Luke 19:41-44, and Romans 9:1-3).
  4. At the same time, his perspective will not be such that he elevates himself above the unjust in some self-righteous manner (Luke 18:9-14).
  5. This perspective will assure that he will work hard to prevent the local body from being corrupted by unjust members (I Corinthians 5:1-8; cf. Ephesians 5:25-27).

III. Conclusion: When looking for rulers of men, the Lord wants just rulers (II Samuel 23:1-3).