Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Timothy 5:17

"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching." — 1 Timothy 5:17 (ASV)

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. This is more accurately translated, “Let the elders (presbyters) who rule well.” The consideration of the position and qualifications of certain ruling elder women (the presbyteral widows) reminded St. Paul of certain points to be impressed upon Timothy connected with the rank and honour due to the more distinguished presbyters associated with him in the Ephesian congregations.

Attention should be directed here to the vast powers entrusted to the “presiding presbyter” of a church like Ephesus. To use the title of Bishop in the ecclesiastical sense would have been an anachronism at that time, although it probably came into general use within thirty years of this Epistle’s writing, and certainly before the close of the century. In addition to the general office of supervisor, one in Timothy’s position evidently had the distribution of the various levels of honour and remuneration among the presbyteral order (1 Timothy 5:17, 21).

As presiding elder, the functions of supreme judge in all ecclesiastical and moral matters, relating to the various officials of both sexes connected with the Church, belonged to him. The right of ordination, which became the exclusive work of the bishop after the Apostles and the first generation of believers had passed away, was in this instance (see 1 Timothy 5:22) specially entrusted by an Apostle to Timothy. Timothy, the chief presbyter and apostolic representative in the Church of Ephesus, received this charge in the words: Lay hands suddenly on no man.

The elders (presbyters) to whom Timothy was to accord special honour were those who, in the congregations and Christian schools of a city as great as Ephesus, were markedly distinguishing themselves by their preaching and teaching, in addition to their many duties connected with organisation and administration.

Among the devoted and earnest presbyters in these Asian churches, there were doubtless some who possessed the special gift of teaching, either in the classroom or from the preacher’s chair. Those who possessed and faithfully exercised these invaluable gifts were to be preferred in some way by the chief minister. The “double honour” (timè) is a broad, inclusive term, and seems to comprehend rank and position as well as remuneration—victu et reverentiâ, as Melancthon paraphrases the words “double honour.” Timothy is here directed to confer upon the more distinguished of the order of presbyters official rank and precedence as the reward for faithful and successful work.