1 Timothy 5:17-25
17: The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
23: No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
18: For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
19: Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.
20: Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.
21: I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.
22: Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.
23: No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
24: The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after.
25: Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.
Paul addressed the treatment of elders—presbyters—in the church who “rule well.” He said they are worthy of “double honor.” Honor here would mean gifts or support of some type. Double honor is not specifically referring to twice as much, but is used to indicate a good amount in general. Especially for those elders who work hard at preaching and teaching.
Paul quoted from Deuteronomy 25:4 which says you shall not muzzle the ox while threshing, and Luke 10:7 where Jesus said the laborer is worthy of his wages (see also Matthew 10:10). He used these Scriptures to make the point that those who preach and teach the gospel may live of the gospel. Even though Paul himself did not take support from the churches--he worked for his own support to make the gospel free of charge--he still supported the Scripture which gives a minister of the gospel the right to receive support from it (Acts 18:3, 1 Corinthians 9:1-14, 2 Corinthians 11:7-9, 12:13-15).
Paul then addressed accusations against elders by saying there must be two or three witnesses for the accusation to be received (Deuteronomy 17:6). Timothy was not to take the word of one person against an elder to condemn the elder of a sin. The example Jesus set in Matthew 18:15-17 was to address a sin privately first. Anyone who continued in sin after being admonished privately was to be confronted with two or more believers. If he still doesn’t listen, then he is to be given a public rebuke. One who continues in sin after the public rebuke would be excommunicated.
Paul charged Timothy to do this without partiality, not showing any favoritism. It's best not to be quick to “lay hands on” or ordain an elder so hopefully this can be avoided with them. This is why he instructed that the elders and deacons first be proven (1 Timothy 3:4-7, 10). Paul mentioned that Timothy may use a little wine for his stomach and ailments, probably to assure him that by doing so, he would not be violating the qualifications of not being addicted to wine (1Timothy 3:3, 8). Some sins are obvious, others are hidden, yet to be judged later. In the same way, some good deeds are evident, and if they’re not, they will be revealed eventually.
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Paul addressed the treatment of elders—presbyters—in the church who “rule well.” He said they are worthy of “double honor.” Honor here would mean gifts or support of some type. Double honor is not specifically referring to twice as much, but is used to indicate a good amount in general. Especially for those elders who work hard at preaching and teaching.
Paul quoted from Deuteronomy 25:4 which says you shall not muzzle the ox while threshing, and Luke 10:7 where Jesus said the laborer is worthy of his wages (see also Matthew 10:10). He used these Scriptures to make the point that those who preach and teach the gospel may live of the gospel. Even though Paul himself did not take support from the churches--he worked for his own support to make the gospel free of charge--he still supported the Scripture which gives a minister of the gospel the right to receive support from it (Acts 18:3, 1 Corinthians 9:1-14, 2 Corinthians 11:7-9, 12:13-15).
Paul then addressed accusations against elders by saying there must be two or three witnesses for the accusation to be received (Deuteronomy 17:6). Timothy was not to take the word of one person against an elder to condemn the elder of a sin. The example Jesus set in Matthew 18:15-17 was to address a sin privately first. Anyone who continued in sin after being admonished privately was to be confronted with two or more believers. If he still doesn’t listen, then he is to be given a public rebuke. One who continues in sin after the public rebuke would be excommunicated.
Paul charged Timothy to do this without partiality, not showing any favoritism. It's best not to be quick to “lay hands on” or ordain an elder so hopefully this can be avoided with them. This is why he instructed that the elders and deacons first be proven (1 Timothy 3:4-7, 10). Paul mentioned that Timothy may use a little wine for his stomach and ailments, probably to assure him that by doing so, he would not be violating the qualifications of not being addicted to wine (1Timothy 3:3, 8). Some sins are obvious, others are hidden, yet to be judged later. In the same way, some good deeds are evident, and if they’re not, they will be revealed eventually.
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