1 Timothy 5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

◄ 1 Timothy 5:17 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

English Standard Version
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

New American Standard Bible
The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

King James Bible
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

International Standard Version
Elders who handle their duties well should be considered worthy of double compensation, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

American Standard Version
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Let the priests that rule well, be esteemed worthy of double honour: especially they who labour in the word and doctrine:

Darby Bible Translation
Let the elders who take the lead among the saints well be esteemed worthy of double honour, specially those labouring in word and teaching;

Young's Literal Translation
The well-leading elders of double honour let them be counted worthy, especially those labouring in word and teaching,

Cross References

Acts 11:30
Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Romans 12:8
Or he that exhorts, on exhortation: he that gives, let him do it with simplicity; he that rules, with diligence; he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Thessalonians 5:12
And we beseech you, brothers, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

1 Timothy 4:14
Neglect not the gift that is in you, which was given you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

1 Timothy 5:19
Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

5:17-25 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 hearts. Looking forward to the judgment-day, let us all attend to our proper offices, whether in higher or lower stations, studying that the name and doctrine of God may never be blasphemed on our account.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

17. The transition from the widow presbyteresses (1Ti 5:9) to the presbyters here, is natural.

rule well—literally, "preside well," with wisdom, ability, and loving faithfulness, over the flock assigned to them.

be counted worthy of double honour—that is, the honor which is expressed by gifts (1Ti 5:3, 18) and otherwise. If a presbyter as such, in virtue of his office, is already worthy of honor, he who rules well is doubly so [Wiesinger] (1Co 9:14; Ga 6:6; 1Th 5:12). Not literally that a presbyter who rules well should get double the salary of one who does not rule well [Alford], or of a presbyteress widow, or of the deacons [Chrysostom]. "Double" is used for large in general (Re 18:6).

specially they who labour in the word and doctrine—Greek, "teaching"; preaching of the word, and instruction, catechetical or otherwise. This implies that of the ruling presbyters there were two kinds, those who labored in the word and teaching, and those who did not. Lay presbyters, so called merely because of their age, have no place here; for both classes mentioned here alike are ruling presbyters. A college of presbyters is implied as existing in each large congregation. As in 1Ti 3:1-16 their qualifications are spoken of, so here the acknowledgments due to them for their services.