They - serve not our Lord Jesus - They profess to be apostles, but they are not apostles of Christ; they neither do his will, nor preach his doctrine; they serve their own belly - they hate intruded themselves into the Church of Christ that they might get a secular support; it is for worldly gain alone that they take up the profession of the ministry: they have no Divine credentials; they convert not the heathen nor the ungodly, for they have no Divine unction; but by good words and fair speeches (for they have no miraculous nor saving powers) deceive the hearts of the simple, perverting Christian converts, that they may get their property, and thus secure a maintenance for themselves. The Church of God has ever been troubled with such pretended pastors - men who Feed themselves, not the flock; men who are too proud to beg, and too lazy to work; who have neither grace nor gifts to plant the standard of the cross on the devil's territories, and by the power of Christ make inroads upon his kingdom, and spoil him of his subjects. On the contrary, by sowing the seeds of dissension, by means of doubtful disputations, and the propagation of scandals; by glaring and insinuating speeches, χρηστολογιας, for they affect elegance and good breeding, they rend Christian congregations, form a party for themselves, and thus live on the spoils of the Church of God.

Should it be asked, Whom do you intend by this description? I:answer: No soul, nor party, but such as the description suits. Irasceris.? - De Te fabula narratur. O, you are angry, are you? O, then, the cap fits you - put it on.

serve.

Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one...

John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.

Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Philippians 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

Colossians 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for you serve the Lord Christ.

James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Jude 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ...

Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show to his servants things which must shortly come to pass...

but.

1 Samuel 2:12-17,29 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD...

Isaiah 56:10-12 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber...

Ezekiel 13:19 And will you pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die...

Hosea 4:8-11 They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity...

Micah 3:5 Thus said the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace...

Malachi 1:10 Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nothing? neither do you kindle fire on my altar for nothing...

Matthew 24:48-51 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delays his coming...

Philippians 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

1 Timothy 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw yourself.

2 Peter 2:10-15 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed...

Jude 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water...

by.

2 Chronicles 18:5,12-17 Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said to them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle...

Isaiah 30:10,11 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not to us right things, speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits...

Jeremiah 8:10,11 Therefore will I give their wives to others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them...

Jeremiah 23:17 They say still to them that despise me, The LORD has said, You shall have peace...

Jeremiah 28:1-9,15-17 And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month...

Ezekiel 13:16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace...

Micah 3:5 Thus said the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace...

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matthew 24:11,24 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many...

2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully...

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ...

Colossians 2:4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all delusion of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth...

1 Timothy 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw yourself.

2 Timothy 2:16-18 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase to more ungodliness...

2 Timothy 3:2-6 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy...

Titus 1:10-12 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision...

2 Peter 2:3,18-20 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not...

1 John 4:1-3 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God...

Jude 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaks great swelling words...

the simple.

Romans 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad to all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise to that which is good...

Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Psalm 119:130 The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Proverbs 8:5 O you simple, understand wisdom: and, you fools, be you of an understanding heart.

Proverbs 14:15 The simple believes every word: but the prudent man looks well to his going.

Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foresees the evil, and hides himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety...

A Crushed Snake
'The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.'--ROMANS xvi. 20. There are three other Scriptural sayings which may have been floating in the Apostle's mind when he penned this triumphant assurance. 'Thou shalt bruise his head'; the great first Evangel--we are to be endowed with Christ's power; 'The lion and the adder thou shalt trample under foot'--all the strength that was given to ancient saints is ours; 'Behold! I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Purity and Peace in the Present Lord
PHILIPPIANS iv. 1-9 Euodia and Syntyche--Conditions to unanimity--Great uses of small occasions--Connexion to the paragraphs--The fortress and the sentinel--A golden chain of truths--Joy in the Lord--Yieldingness--Prayer in everything--Activities of a heart at rest Ver. 1. +So, my brethren beloved and longed for+, missed indeed, at this long distance from you, +my joy and crown+ of victory (stephanos), +thus+, as having such certainties and such aims, with such a Saviour, and looking for such …
Handley C. G. Moule—Philippian Studies

Whether it is Lawful for a Bishop to have Property of his Own?
Objection 1: It would seem that it is not lawful for a bishop to have property of his own. For our Lord said (Mat. 19:21): "If thou wilt be perfect, go sell all [Vulg.: 'what] thou hast, and give to the poor . . . and come, follow Me"; whence it would seem to follow that voluntary poverty is requisite for perfection. Now bishops are in the state of perfection. Therefore it would seem unlawful for them to possess anything as their own. Objection 2: Further, bishops take the place of the apostles in …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica