“Sound” Brethren

By Bob Myhan

The word, "sound," can have different meanings in different contexts. So there are a number of ways to look at this subject. A brother can be “sound” in either a good or a bad way.

One Can Be “Sound in the Faith”

“Sound” (Titus 1:13) means “having no defect as to truth, justice, wisdom or reason: sound advice.”* At least two things are involved in being “sound in the faith.”

Those who have “no defect as to” the faith, will “hold fast the pattern of sound words” (2 Tim. 1:13). Whatever they “do in word” [teach] or “in deed” [practice] they do “in the name of the Lord Jesus” or by His authority (Col. 3:17). It is one thing to merely say that the Lord authorizes us to teach or practice this or that; it is another thing altogether to show that He authorizes us to teach or practice this or that.

There are only three ways in which the Lord authorizes a thing—direct statement, approved examples and implications. Anything the Lord cannot be shown to authorize in one of these three ways should not be taught or practiced, at all, and will not be taught or practiced by those who are “sound in the faith.”

One Can Be “All Sound”

Those who are “all sound” simply talk too much. They include those who gossip (1 Tim. 5:13), boast (2 Tim. 3:2), “say, and do not do” (Matt. 23:3), tell lies (Eph. 4:25), engage in corrupt talk (Eph. 4:29), and/or speak evil of their brethren (James 4:11).

While almost everyone believes that it is wrong to gossip, many seem to do it unknowingly. To “gossip” is to engage in “idle talk or rumor, especially about personal or private affairs of others.” It is talking about things one has no business talking about, especially to someone who has no business hearing about it.

Concerning boasting, Jesus said,

“When you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matt. 6:3,4).

Those who act and speak in order to be seen of men “have their reward” in this life (Matt. 6:2-5). Clearly, it is wrong to boast.

Those who “say, and do not do” are hypocrites (Matt. 23:1-13). They “talk the talk” but do not “walk the walk” of true discipleship. But we are to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving” ourselves (James 1:22).

Telling lies is one of seven things the Lord especially hates.

These six things the Lord hates, yes seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. (Prov. 6:16-19)

Corrupt speech is a sure sign of a corrupt heart, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34; see also Matt. 15:18-20). It is implied in Eph. 4:29 that corrupt speech is that which does not edify. Truly,

No man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so (James 3:8-10).

He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law (James 4:11).

James is obviously speaking of one who judges hypocritically, rather than judging “righteous judgment” (John 7:24). It is true that the sins of a brother must be dealt with (Luke 17:3; Gal. 6:1). But to condemn a brother for something that is not a sin is unjustifiable and sinful.

One Can Be “Sound Asleep”

Of course, we mean, “sound asleep” spiritually, rather than physically. It has been said that in every congregation there are three groups of people: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who ask, “What happened?” The third group is simply not sufficiently attuned to spiritual matters to recognize change, whether it is good or bad. They remain with the original group, after a church split, not because they are convinced the original group is right, but because they are oblivious to the issues over which the others left.

Paul refers to some in Corinth who were weak, sick and asleep (1 Cor. 11:30), due to their habit of eating and drinking the elements of the Lord’s Supper “in an unworthy manner … not discerning the Lord’s body” (vv. 27-29). There were also those in Rome who needed to “awake out of sleep” (Rom. 13:11) and those in Thessalonica who were told,

Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. (1 Thess. 5:6-8)

One Can Be “Sounding Brass”

(1 Corinthians 13:1)

These are they who simply love to hear themselves talk, having no genuine love for the brethren. In the context of Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians, the abuse of spiritual gifts was simply a manifestation of the real problem. They were more concerned with their desire to speak in tongues than with their obligation to edify brethren. It is probably for this reason that Paul describes love mostly in negative terms (1 Cor. 13: 4-8).

The reader may be a “sound” brother or sister but “sound” in what sense? &

From an outline in “Seed for the Sower” by Leroy Brownlow

“Woman, Behold Thy Son! … Behold Thy Mother!”

By Richard Hammock

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. (John 19:26-27)

This is one of the most beautiful facts of the history of the Bible. Here is shown the great sympathy of the Lord Jesus forgetting the pain and anguish, but mindful of those who loved Him.

The 1st words Jesus spoke from the cross were a prayer for His enemies. The 2nd words spoken were directed to the thief on the cross who had become a friend of Jesus. These 3rd words were addressed to the nearest people to Him in loyalty and in devotion.

We are told in (Jn. 7:5) that even Jesus’ own brothers didn’t believe on Him. This helps us to understand why Jesus would have John, instead of His own brethren, provide care for Mary, His mother. He had rather see His mother with a disciple than with unbelievers, even if they were his own brothers.

Jesus began His teachings at the youthful age of twelve years old. Between that time and the time of His betrayal, He taught thousands of crowds of people on numerous occasions. Anytime there was an opportunity to convey a lesson or value to individuals He was willing and able to present it in such simple terms. He would use things in His parables that the people were very familiar with. If you will recall, He used mustard seeds, sheep, vineyards and many other examples that they could easily relate to. And here on the cross our Lord continued to teach; and the historic event reflects His love and care for His mother. Even though Jesus was just minutes away from His death, His concern for His loved ones abounded abundantly. As His statement says, “Woman, behold thy son” and then to John, “Behold thy mother,” we see that this command was sufficient in its simplicity. &