1 Timothy 5 17

1 Timothy 5:17 kjv

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

1 Timothy 5:17 nkjv

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

1 Timothy 5:17 niv

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 esv

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

1 Timothy 5:17 nlt

Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching.

1 Timothy 5 verses

1 Timothy 5 17 meaning

This verse instructs the church to highly regard and appropriately compensate elders who effectively lead and manage its affairs, with particular emphasis on those who dedicate their energy and efforts to preaching the Word and teaching sound doctrine. "Double honor" here signifies both profound respect and substantial financial support, acknowledging the invaluable spiritual labor and commitment required for effective ministry.

1 Timothy 5 17 Context

First Timothy Chapter 5 primarily addresses various categories within the Ephesian church community, offering instructions on their proper treatment and interaction. The chapter begins with directives concerning how Timothy should relate to older men, younger men, older women, and younger women. It then moves into a detailed discussion on the care for widows, distinguishing between true widows worthy of support and those who are not. Following this, verse 17 marks a transition to the appropriate treatment and compensation for elders (presbyters). This verse establishes a principle of honor and financial support for the church's leaders, especially those heavily involved in teaching, serving as a standard for recognizing and sustaining those entrusted with the spiritual well-being of the congregation. The broader context of 1 Timothy is Paul's guidance to Timothy on ordering the church in Ephesus, combating false teaching, and establishing sound leadership structures.

1 Timothy 5 17 Word analysis

• Let the elders (Οἱ πρεσβύτεροι - Hoi presbyteroi): The plural form of presbyteros, literally "older ones." In early Christian contexts, it evolved to signify an office of spiritual leadership and governance within the church, distinct from younger members but related to age, wisdom, and experience. It refers to a specific body of church leaders entrusted with oversight.

• who rule well (καλῶς προεστῶτες - kalōs proestōtes):

  • kalōs (καλῶς): Adverb meaning "well, rightly, competently, commendably." It implies efficiency, integrity, and spiritual effectiveness.
  • proestōtes (προεστῶτες): A perfect active participle of proistēmi, meaning "to stand before, to lead, preside over, manage, govern." It denotes authoritative leadership, management, and diligent oversight of the church's affairs and spiritual welfare.

• be considered worthy (ἀξιούσθωσαν - axiousthōsan): Third person plural aorist imperative passive of axioō, meaning "to deem worthy, count worthy, expect as proper." It is a command for the church body to actively recognize and affirm the worthiness of such elders.

• of double honor (διπλῆς τιμῆς - diplēs timēs):

  • diplēs (διπλῆς): Adjective meaning "double." It signifies a greater, augmented, or more abundant degree.
  • timēs (τιμῆς): Noun meaning "honor, esteem, respect," but also frequently carries the sense of "price, value, compensation, payment." In this context, supported by other Pauline texts (e.g., 1 Cor 9), it primarily indicates financial remuneration in addition to respect. It implies significant and generous support.

• especially (μάλιστα - malista): Adverb meaning "most, above all, particularly, especially." This is a comparative emphasizing a specific subgroup within the general category of "ruling well elders." It indicates a heightened focus on a particular subset, not exclusion of the others.

• those who labor (οἱ κοπιῶντες - hoi kopiōntes): Present active participle of kopiáō, meaning "to toil, work hard, exert oneself to the point of exhaustion, weariness." It conveys the strenuous, self-sacrificing, and diligent effort involved in a particular work.

• in preaching (ἐν λόγῳ - en logō):

  • en (ἐν): Preposition, "in, by, with."
  • logō (λόγῳ): Dative case of logos, meaning "word, message, discourse, reason." In a biblical context, it frequently refers to the word of God, the gospel, or the divine message being proclaimed.

• and teaching (καὶ διδασκαλίᾳ - kai didaskalíā):

  • kai (καὶ): Conjunction, "and."
  • didaskalíā (διδασκαλίᾳ): Noun meaning "teaching, instruction, doctrine." This specifies the systematic imparting of knowledge and truth, specifically Christian doctrine.

• Groupings:

  • "Let the elders... be considered worthy": This phrase commands the church to actively assess and confirm the merit of their leaders, indicating an expectation of respectful acknowledgement.
  • "who rule well": This modifies "elders," highlighting that not all elders are subject to the same degree of honor, but specifically those who execute their leadership duties competently and spiritually.
  • "of double honor": This defines the nature of the worthiness, encompassing both profound respect and substantial material/financial compensation.
  • "especially those who labor in preaching and teaching": This points to a specialized role within the elder body – those who invest significant, exhausting effort in ministering the Word of God through proclamation and systematic instruction, suggesting a heightened need for their support.

1 Timothy 5 17 Bonus section

The concept of "double honor" in 1 Tim 5:17 likely draws from a blend of Greco-Roman societal customs, where respected officials might receive enhanced recognition and recompense, and Old Testament precedents for supporting religious figures (priests and Levites) financially (e.g., Num 18:21-24). Paul's own stance on financial support for ministry was nuanced; while he often worked to support himself to avoid accusations or be a stumbling block (e.g., 1 Cor 9:15-18), he firmly defended the right of those dedicated to ministry to be financially supported (e.g., 1 Cor 9:6-14; Gal 6:6). This verse serves as a direct instruction to the church, rather than a personal choice, establishing a pattern for the Christian community. It subtly differentiates between the general oversight responsibilities of elders ("rule well") and the more specialized, arduous, and potentially full-time work of systematic teaching and preaching the Word. While all elders should receive honor for ruling well, those who fully commit to "laboring in word and doctrine" deserve particular attention regarding their material needs. This is critical for preventing burnout and enabling effective, sustained ministry in areas most vital to the church's spiritual health.

1 Timothy 5 17 Commentary

1 Timothy 5:17 establishes a vital principle for Christian churches concerning the treatment of their leaders. It mandates that elders who demonstrate effective and commendable leadership should receive "double honor," which scholarly consensus and cross-references clarify means both profound respect and generous financial support. The qualification "who rule well" indicates that such honor is not automatic for all elders, but is merited by diligent and competent service in governance. Paul then emphasizes a specific group within these well-ruling elders: those who labor exhaustively in the ministries of preaching and teaching. This implies a distinct, often full-time, commitment to handling and communicating God's Word. Their dedicated and arduous work in theological instruction and gospel proclamation warrants this elevated form of honor, ensuring their ability to devote themselves fully to this demanding spiritual task without the burden of secular employment. This principle safeguards the quality and continuity of spiritual leadership, fostering an environment where devoted teachers and preachers are well-supported to equip the saints and defend sound doctrine.

• Example 1: A church ensures its full-time pastor, who diligently prepares and delivers sermons and offers biblical instruction, receives a living wage and benefits comparable to local professional standards.
• Example 2: A congregation demonstrates gratitude for their volunteer elder's years of faithful administrative leadership by offering significant gestures of appreciation and support in times of need.