1 Timothy 5:17-25 New King James Version (NKJV) Honor the Elders 17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,”[a] and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”[b] 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. 21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. 22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure. 23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. 24 Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. 25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden. "Congregational Relationships—Honoring Leaders" First Timothy 5:18 is significant in the history of the biblical canon. Paul quoted two verses here. The first was Deuteronomy 25:4; the second was Luke 10:7, from the passage where Jesus sent out the 72. Scholars disagree about whether the oral tradition would have been written down this early, but whether his sources were oral or written, Paul treated New Testament content as equal to the Old Testament. Both are inspired Scripture! The point of both verses, and of today’s reading as a whole, is that the church is to respect and honor its leaders—elders who preach and teach are in fact worthy of “double honor” (v. 17). Concretely, this means a pastor has a right to make a living from his work, that is, he should be paid fair or better wages (v. 18). In addition, accusations against a church leader should not be quickly believed but carefully investigated (v. 19). He said/she said rumors are to be dismissed; only confirmed eyewitness accounts are to be considered. Human jealousy and Satanic strategy make leaders a prime target, and Paul wanted to protect against that. With double honor comes double accountability (v. 20). If an accusation is proved, a leader’s discipline should be public, as a warning to the body of Christ. Paul formally charged Timothy to “keep these instructions without partiality” (v. 21). Given all that’s at stake, the church should not be too quick to commission someone for ministry (v. 22). Today, these instructions are applied in many denominations by means of a council that examines a person for ordination. While such councils often last a single day, they are the culmination of a long process. That’s good, because as Paul commented, the quality of a life always eventually reveals itself (vv. 24–25). "Apply the Word" The last two verses of 1 Timothy 5 can be a checkpoint for us all, not just leaders. One day, the quality of our deeds and lives will come to light and be fully known. Sins may appear to trail behind bad people, but they will catch up. Similarly, all good deeds will one day be openly recognized by the Lord. Does knowing this change the way you live today?
Posted on: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 11:23:33 +0000
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