Bible Studies

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 54

by Clifford Tate 
08/25/18
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Paul Instructs Timothy on how Members of Christ Body should be Treated in Christ Church Part 10

1 Timothy 5:17-18 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward. KJV

Paul again shifts his focus from the widows in the Church to the 'elders' and in this case he means the older men in leadership in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. The early Church then, had a hierarchy that consisted solely of men serving as its leaders, so Paul instructs Brother Timothy with these words, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine." (1 Timothy 5:17) (KJV). The English word 'elders' is translated by the Greek word presbuteros which means (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; specifically an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or Christian presbyter. The little english phrase 'that rule well' is translated by two Greek words proistēmi and kalōs and they together mean to stand before, that is, (in rank) to preside, or (by implication) to practise: - maintain, be over, rule well (usually morally): - (in a) good (place), honestly. In other words, those men who were appointed in these positions in our Lord Jesus' Church and served to be a blessing, benefit, and a bounty of spiritual knowledge in the teaching of the Word of God to the members of Christ Body under their charge were to be respected and honored by all those whom they ruled over, just as Paul wrote in the Book of Hebrews in his letter when he said, "Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [continually recognizing their authority over you], for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls {and} guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account [of their trust]. [Do your part to] let them do this with gladness and not with sighing {and} groaning, for that would not be profitable to you [either]." (Hebrews 13:17) (Amplified Bible). Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning the elders that ruled well, "The Apostle had given full instructions respecting bishops 1 Timothy 3:1-7; deacons 1 Timothy 3:8-13; widows 1 Timothy 5:3-16; and he here proceeds to prescribe the duty of the Church toward those who sustain the office of elder. The word used - 'elder' or 'presbyter' - properly refers to age, and is then used to denote the officers of the Church, probably because the aged were at first entrusted with the administration of the affairs of the Church. The word was in familiar use among the Jews to denote the body of men that presided in the synagogue. Presiding well, or well managing the spiritual interests of the Church."

The little English phrase 'be counted worthy' is translated by one Greek word axioō which means to deem entitled or fit: - desire, think good, count (think) worthy. The English word 'double' is translated by the Greek word diplous which means exactly what our English dictionary declares and that is, two fold: - double, two-fold more. The English word 'honor' is translated by the Greek word timē which means a value, that is, money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself. In other words, the elder that demonstrated himself to be fit spiritually in teaching the Word of God and 'Serving the Lord with all humility of mind' (Acts 20:19) as the Apostle Paul spoke of himself and his actions toward his service of Christ Jesus our Lord, these elders were worthy of a double portion of financial compensation and maybe even more importantly than the money was that they derserved to be held in high esteem or regarded highly by those whom they fed the meat of the Word of God. This is what the Apostle Paul means here when he writes, 'especially they who labor in the word and doctrine', for some commentators conclude that this means that there were two distinct functions of elders in the early Church some who had the responsibility for teaching and preaching the Word of God and some who did other duties in running the Church separate from the actual teaching and preaching of the Word of God. However, I do not find in this passage that clear and specific distinction, but what I believe Paul is declaring here to Brother Timothy is that every elder had the duty and responsibility of the running and ruling of Christ Church in all its requirements, likewise every elder had and has the duty and responsibility to be willing and able to impart, that is, explain, exposit, and expound the Word of God in all its truth and wisdom to those in the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ who seek said truth and wisdom from them, therefore, Paul here wants to honor those elders who are doing their due diligence in fasting, praying, and studying the Word of God to show themselves approved in rightly dividing the Word of Truth and then passing on what has been imparted to them by God the Holy Spirit to every willing vessel or recipient.

Paul now uses what was written by Moses way back in the Book of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 25:4) to make his point concerning this matter of double portion being given to the elders that work hard to understand God's Holy Word when he writes, "For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward." (1 Timothy 5:18) (KJV). This verse when written by Moses to the children of Israel was simply saying that an oxen would serve to be able to thresh out more wheat or corn per day if he were allowed to feed or eat of the wheat or corn while he was being used to grind it down, likewise, the elders who are diligent in their praying and studying of the Word of God are also more deserving of being taken care of financially by the Body of believers who are benefiting spiritually from their expounding of God's Word of Truth to them. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning Paul's reference here to what Moses wrote all those years earlier, "This is a manifest proof that by honor, in the preceding verse, the Apostle means salary or wages: 'Let the elders that rule well be accounted worthy of double honor,' a larger salary than any of the official widows mentioned before, for 'the laborer is worthy of his hire.' The maintenance of every man in the Church should be in proportion to his own labor, and the necessities of his family. He that does no work should have no wages. In the Church of Christ there never can be a sinecure. They who minister at the altar should live by the altar; the ox that treadeth out the corn should not be muzzled; the laborer is worthy of his hire: but the altar should not support him who does not minister at it; if the ox won’t tread out the corn, let him go to the common or be muzzled; if the man will not labor, let him have no hire." Note: The word 'sinecure' used by Adam Clarke above means, A benefice to which no spiritual or pastoral duties are attached or An office that involves minimal duties.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…