1 Timothy 5:17

The natural and obvious meaning of the verse is that while all presbyters discharge administrative functions, well or indifferently, they are not all engaged in preaching and teaching. We distinguish then in this passage three grades of presbyters: (1) ordinary presbyters with a living wage; (2) efficient presbyters (κοπιῶντες, 1 Thessalonians 5:12); (3) presbyters who were also preachers and teachers. Cf. Cyprian (Epist. 29), presbyteri doctores. It must be added that Hort rejects the distinction between (2) and (3) (Christian Ecclesia, p. 196).

ὁ διδάσκων and ὁ παρακαλῶν were possessors of distinct and recognised charismata (Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:8; 1 Corinthians 12:28-29; 1 Corinthians 14:6).

προεστῶτες : See note on 1 Timothy 3:4.

διπλῆς τιμῆς : Remuneration is a better rendering of τιμή than pay, as less directly expressive of merely monetary reward. Liddon suggests the rendering honorarium. On the one hand, διπλῆς certainly warrants us in concluding that presbyters that ruled well were better paid than those that performed their duties perfunctorily. Bengel justifies the better pay given to those that “laboured in the word, etc.,” on the ground that persons so fully occupied would have less time to earn their livelihood in secular occupations. On the other hand, we must not press the term double too strictly (cf. Revelation 18:6, διπλώσατε τὰ διπλᾶ). πλείονος τιμῆς (Theod.) is nearer the meaning than “double that of the widows, or of the deacons, or simply, liberal support” (Chrys.). The phrase is based, according to Grotius, on Deuteronomy 21:17; in the division of an inheritance the first-born received two shares, cf. 2 Kings 2:9. The custom of setting a double share of provisions before presbyters at the love feasts (Constt. Ap. ii. 28) must have been, as De Wette says, based on a misunderstanding of this passage.

ἀξιούσθωσαν implies that what they were deemed worthy of they received.

κοπιῶντες : There is no special stress to be laid on this, as though some preachers and teachers worked harder in the exercise of their gift than others.

λόγῳ : The omission of the article, characteristic of the Pastorals, obscures the reference here to the constant phrase speak, or preach the word, or the word of God.

διδασκαλίᾳ : See note on chap. 1 Timothy 1:10.