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?
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