Pastors should be examples worthy of imitation and accurate in their teaching, always adhering to the inspired Word of God. As qualified teachers, they served as a bulwark against the falling away from true belief, being ever alert to correct those who had fallen victim to wrong teaching and taking action against those promoting sects.—1Ti 4:6, 7, 16; 6:2b-6; 2Ti 2:2, 14-26; 3:14-17; Tit 1:10, 11; 2:1, 6, 7; 3:9-11; compare Re 2:14, 15, 20-24.