1 Timothy 5:17

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. The transition from the widow-presbyteresses (1 Timothy 5:9) to the presbyters is natural. RULE WELL, [ proestootes (G4291)] - 'preside well,' with wisdom, ability, and loving faithfulness, over the flock, in contradistinction to non-ruling presbyters. BE COUNTED WORTHY OF DOUBLE HONOUR - "honour" expressed by gifts (1 Timothy 5:3; 1 Timothy 5:18), and otherwise. If a presbyter, in virtue of his office, is worthy of honour, he who rules well is...

17_Elders _(98) For preserving the good order of the Church, it is likewise highly necessary that elders should not be neglected, but that due regard should be paid to them; for what could be more unfeeling than to have no care about those who have the care of the whole Church? Here πρεσβύτερος _(elder) is _not a name of age, but of office. _Accounted worthy of double honor _Chrysostom interprets “double honor” as meaning “support and reverence.” I do not oppose his opinion; let it be adopted by any one that chooses. But for my own part, I think it is more probable that a comparison is here drawn between widows and elders. Paul had formerly enjoined that honor should be paid — to widows; but elders are more worthy of being honored than widows, and, with respect to them, ought therefore to receive double honor. But in order to shew that he does not recom

17-25 Care must be taken that ministers are maintained. And those who are laborious in this work are worthy of double honour and esteem. It is their just due, as much as the reward of the labourer. The apostle charges Timothy solemnly to guard against partiality. We have great need to watch at all times, that we do not partake of other men's sins. Keep thyself pure, not only from doing the like thyself, but from countenancing it, or any way helping to it in others. The apostle also charges Timothy to take care of his health. As we are not to make our bodies masters, so neither slaves; but to use them so that they may be most helpful to us in the service of God. There are secret, and there are open sins: some men's sins are open before-hand, and going before unto judgment; some they follow after. God will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make known the counsels of all he...

Verse 17. _LET THE ELDERS THAT RULE WELL_] Elder is probably here the name of an ecclesiastical officer, similar to what we now term _presbyter_. See note on 1 Timothy 5:1. Dr. _Macknight_ has remarked that, "in the first age, the name πρεσβυτερος, _elder_, was given to all who exercised any sacred office in the Church, as is plain from Acts 20:28, where the persons are called επισκοποι, _bishops_, who, Acts 20:17, were called πρεσβυτεροι, _elders_. The same thing appears from Titus 1:5, where those are called _elders_ who, Titus 1:7, are n...

LET THE ELDERS THAT RULE WELL - Greek, πρεσβύτεροι presbuteroi, Presbyters. The apostle had given full instructions respecting bishops 1 Timothy 3:1; deacons 1 Timothy 3:8; widows 1 Timothy 5:3; 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; see the...

EXPOSITION 1 TIMOTHY 5:1 _Exhort _for _intreat_,_ _A.V.; _and _omitted. REBUKE NOT (μὴ ἐπιπλήξης); only here in the New Testament for the more usual ἐπιτιμάω (2 Timothy 4:2, and frequently in the Gospels) or ἐλέγχω, as Titus 1:13; Titus 2:15; Revelation 3:19, and elsewhere. In classical Greek it expresses a sharp castigation with words. Compare the "patruae verbera linguae" (Hor., 'Od.,' 3.

LET THE ELDERS THAT RULE WELL,.... By whom are meant not elders in age; though such ought to be honoured and respected, and to have a proper maintenance either from their children or the church, when reduced, and incapable of helping themselves; but then this is what should be done to all such persons, whereas the elders here are particularly described as good rulers and labourers in the word and doctrine; besides, elders in age are taken notice of before; nor are civil magistrates intended, such as were called the elders of Israel; for though such as discharge their office well are worthy of honour, yet it does not belong to any of them to labour in preaching the doctrine of the Gospel: nor are deacons designed, for they are never called elders in Scripture; nor is their work ruling, but serving of tables; nor does the ministry of the word belong to them as such; nor is any maintenance...

V. INSTRUCTIONS AND EXHORTATIONS CHAPTER 5 _ 1. Concerning widows (1 Timothy 5:1)_ 2. Concerning elders (1 Timothy 5:17) 3. Responsibility and personal instructions (1 Timothy 5:22) 1 Timothy 5:1 It is not necessary to follow all these instructions in detail and explain their meaning. An elder was not to be rebuked sharply, but to be entreated as a father, and younger men as brethren. Then he speaks of widows. Those who are widows indeed are to be held in honor. Piety was to be shown at home, if they had children. “She that is a widow indeed, and desolate (left alone) trusteth in

ELDERS. In 1 Timothy 3:1 * Paul discusses _qualifications_ for eldership, here he gives Timothy rules for its _supervision._ (_a)_ On the principle of Scripture (Deuteronomy 25:4, _cf._ 1 Corinthians 9:9) and of a well-known proverb, successful presidents (_cf._ 1 Thessalonians 5:12) should receive special maintenance, particularly if to the strict functions of eldership they add that of teaching (1 Timothy 5:17 f.). (_b_) Against an elder only legally-attested charges ...

THE DUTY TO REPRIMAND (1 Timothy 5:1-2)...