The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
Summary: Paul points us to the obligation we have in the body of Christ to honor those who serve the most.
Here is an interesting fact: If we look back at 1 Timothy 3:1, the text reads:
“Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.” (NIV)
The word “overseer” in this passage is sometimes translated as “bishop,” and, in a few cases, “elder.” For the purposes of our discussion here, let’s not pick nits. Let’s assume Paul means that people who are in leadership positions are worthy of double honor.
Now, before going any farther, let’s review what it means to be in a ‘leadership position.’
First of all, Jesus has something to say:
“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” (Mark 9:35)
Humility before God and man is the first requirement for ‘double honor.’ You can tell who is qualified at this level simply by how they interact with people. Pride is easy to spot and hard to mask.
Next, let’s review what Paul says about church leaders:
“Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.” (1 Timothy 3:2-4)
These are also personality traits that are easy to spot and difficult to fake.
Finally, there is the obvious requirement that a leader has to be able to discern and defend the truth:
“He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” (Titus 1:9)
Given what is involved in achieving this level of maturity and knowledge, I have to agree with Paul. They are worthy of “double honor.”
Application: Respect those who are worthy of respect.
Food for Thought: What is involved in “preaching and teaching” that sets such leaders apart?
What is involved in “preaching and teaching” that sets such leaders apart?
The word Paul uses for “work” in 1 Tim 5:17 is kopiaō (κοπιάω), which means more than just to labor, it means to toil or “to work to the point of exhaustion.” I believe that paints a different picture than simply “working” and offers the reason why it sets such leaders apart.
I believe here is insight into what is involved in “preaching and teaching” that sets such leaders apart.
Acts 20:
19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;
20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,
23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
2 Corinthians 11:27
27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
Mark 6:31
31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
There are many leaders that experience similar circumstances and yet continue to preach and teach, even to the point of exhaustion in serving their congregation. They certainly deserve “double honor.”
Thank you, Chris!
Well researched and well said!