1 Timothy 5:17-22 Honoring Elders

The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. 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. Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin. [1 Timothy 5:17-22 NASB]

The word "elders" used in this passage doesn't refer to age, but to position. They are the appointed leaders who preside over the local church. They are not rulers in the sense of a king ruling over his subjects, but as the first among peers. An elder is like a tour guide who leads the way because he has been there before, or has studied the maps and know the way.

The elders are worthy of double honor. There are some pastors who would like for this to mean that they should make twice as much money as those in the congregation. Unfortunately for them, the scriptures don't bear that interpretation out. There are some congregations who go to the opposite extreme and say that the pastor shouldn't be paid at all. That also is unscriptural. Elders ("pastors" according to modern usage) should be honored with respect and with support. The man of God who devotes his life to the work of the ministry should receive a livable wage.

Paul quotes two scriptures to make his point; Deuteronomy 25:4, and Luke 10:7. At the time of this writing, Luke's gospel had been in circulation for about ten years. It was already considered scripture. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, felt free to quote the work written by his own helper and ministry partner, and call it scripture.

Honoring elders involves giving them the respect to disregard rumors. 

Devoting yourself to the service of God places a target on your back. For the elders, this means that they must live a life so far above reproach that there can be no credible accusation against them. 

For the rest of us, it means that if an accusation is made against an elder, it is to be disregarded as mere rumor unless it has been corroborated. This corroboration must be from two or three eyewitnesses, and not two or three people who have heard and repeated the same rumor.

Elders who fall into sin deserve the same consideration and correction as any other believer. Jesus said;

“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. [Matthew 18:15-17 NASB]

Pastors are human, and are subject to the same human frailties as you and I. If they fail, they should be rebuked in private, and, if they turn from their sin, it should go no further. But, as Paul said, if they continue to sin, then they should be rebuked in the presence of all.

There are some who are so biased against ministers that the merest hint of a rumor will have them clamoring for the pastor's removal. There are others who are so enthralled with the pastor that they believe he can do no wrong. Both attitudes will prejudice your judgement. But if anybody is brought before the church for judgement, or if you are in a position to judge, then you must not form an opinion until you have heard all the facts.

The elders - or pastors - deserve honor; not because they are better, and not because they rule, but because the have chosen to serve. The word "minister" literally means "a servant". There are some who have lost sight of that. But those pastors who serve well have chosen to be a servant of God, and a servant to His people.

Father, I thank you that You have appointed ministers to teach us and guide us in the paths of righteousness. I pray for the elders at my church that you will bless them and give them wisdom lo lead.