'And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.'

One of Paul's five utterly trustworthy sayings is the excellency of a longing to be a preacher of the Gospel. Here is the office of 'over-watcher' or elder, and we look particularly at the elder who labours in the Word, also called a pastor.

'And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.'

Here are God's reasons why women may not be teachers in the church. Here also is how saved women are to be mightily blessed in saving a new generation, and in similarly supportive roles. The key is faith, love, holiness and sobriety (or self restraint).

As salvation is a free gift of God, in what way must we strive for it? What makes it a narrow gate? Why do many seek to enter, and fail? Here are the hindrances, the way to enter, and the experience that awaits us.

It is often assumed that Paul is speaking here of the conduct of public gatherings, but this topic does not truly begin until verse 11. Before then we have pastorally precious and profound exhortations to all believers praying wherever they are.

'There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.'

'For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.'

We see in this study how beautiful pervasive perfume depicts the sensed presence of Christ, and how his biblical names (Shepherd, Husband, Friend, Prophet, Priest, King and Lord) lift the soul in all circumstances. There is no more moving theme for reflection.

'And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.'