HONOR ELDERS

Passage: 1 Timothy 5:17-6:2

Key verse: 5:17

NIV

17 The elders(A) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,(B) especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”[a](C) and “The worker deserves his wages.”[b](D) 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder(E) unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.(F) 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove(G) before everyone, so that the others may take warning.(H) 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus(I) and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands,(J) and do not share in the sins of others.(K) Keep yourself pure.(L)

23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine(M) because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.

6 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect,(N) so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.(O) 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers.(P) Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare[c] of their slaves.

False Teachers and the Love of Money

These are the things you are to teach and insist on.(Q)

Footnotes
  1. 1 Timothy 5:18 Deut. 25:4
  2. 1 Timothy 5:18 Luke 10:7
  3. 1 Timothy 6:2 Or and benefit from the service
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

17 Let the elders (A)who rule well be considered worthy of (B)double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, (C)“You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, (D)“The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except (E)on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, (F)rebuke them in the presence of all, (G)so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels (H)I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, (I)doing nothing from partiality. 22 (J)Do not be hasty in the (K)laying on of hands, nor (L)take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink only water, but (M)use a little wine (N)for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and (O)even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

6 (P)Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants[a] regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, (Q)so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are (R)brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.

False Teachers and True Contentment

(S)Teach and urge these things.

Footnotes
  1. 1 Timothy 6:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Paul says that elders who teach and preach are worth double honor. The need for elders in the church who are shepherds of God’s flock is so vital. We should respect them and not entertain false accusations against them. On the other hand, if they are in the wrong, we should take them to task. We should not show favoritism, even if they are our relatives, shepherds, or close connection. The church must guard itself against nepotism.

Paul also gives Timothy various other instructions. He should not lay his hands freely on others until he is sure they are committed Christians. He should not be legalistic about drinking wine, since it could help his stomach problems. He should have discernment about who is sinning and who is doing good by looking at the outcome of their actions.

Lastly, Christian slaves should honor their masters. Though in Christ they enjoyed equality with their brothers, they should be sensitive to the Roman world around them and be a good influence that leads others to Christ when they submit to their masters.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the elders who sacrificially serve you as Bible teachers and preachers of your word. Please help me honor them and pray for them to do what is right.

One Word: Honor elders who teach and preach