1 Timothy 5:17

“The qualifications for overseers or elders were given in chapter 3. Now Paul sets forth to Timothy the way these elders were to be treated by the congregation. It was Timothy's responsibility to see that these matters were carried out” (Kent p. 181).

1 Timothy 5:17 “The elders”: Here the term “elders” applies not to older men (1 Timothy 5:1), but to those who serve as elders (1 Timothy 3:1ff), for these elders “rule well”, are worthy of financially support and work hard at preaching and teaching.

1 Timothy 5:17 “Who rule”: “To be over, superintend, preside over” (Thayer p. 539). “Lit. to stand before, to lead, attend to (indicating care and diligence)” (Vine p. 307). “Be at the head of, rule, direct” (Arndt p. 707). The same stress on ruling is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 3:4; 1 Timothy 3:12 and Hebrews 13:17.

1 Timothy 5:17 “Well”: “Indicating what is done rightly” (Vine p. 207). “Fitly, appropriately, in the right way” (Arndt p. 401). Found also in 1 Timothy 3:4 and 1 Timothy 3:12. “That which is done excellently, in. commendable way. The work of the elder must not be taken for granted by the congregation” (Kent p. 181).

1 Timothy 5:17 “Are to be considered worthy”: “Deem deserving” (Thayer p. 53). This means that. congregation must not be remiss in properly honoring and appreciating elders who rule well. Elsewhere Paul noted that members need to “appreciate those who diligently labor among you”, “that you esteem them very lightly in love because of their work” (1 Thessalonians 5:12).

1 Timothy 5:17 “Of double honor”: The term “honor” here from the context includes financial payment. “Honorarium, compensation” (Arndt p. 818). Many views exist consider what this “double honor” includes. In the third century, there was. practice of putting. double portion of food before the elders at their social gatherings. Some feel that this refers to being paid twice as much as the widows indeed or deacons, another suggestion is that they are to get one honor for their age and another for their work. The context would argue that the double honor refers to respect for the work they do and financial compensation with that respect. Some try to argue that those who served with distinction receive double honor while those who served without undue exertion are still honored. This does not make much sense to me, for an elder or any Christian is not doing their job if they are not exerting themselves.

1 Timothy 5:17 “Especially”: That is, chiefly, most of all, above all, particularly.

1 Timothy 5:17 “Those who work hard”: To labor with wearisome effort, to toil (1 Thessalonians 5:12).

1 Timothy 5:17 “At preaching and teaching”: God places tremendous importance upon preaching and teaching the gospel. Elders are to be apt to teach and are to be able to ground the members in the faith and oppose those who teach error (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:7; Hebrews 13:17; Titus 1:9 ff).