Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

Paul now addresses concerns about “elders” in the church (i.e., those who officially “direct the affairs of the church”). It was the responsibility of these earliest church officials (cf. Acts 14:23) to supervise the work of the local congregation.

Those who performed their functions well were worthy of “double honor [GK 5507].” Since this word was often used in the sense of a price paid for something, it has been suggested that here it might be translated “honorarium.” But that raises the problem of “double”—double what was paid to the widows, or double what the other elders received? Perhaps we should allow both “honor” and “honorarium.” Highest honor is to be given to “those whose work is preaching and teaching.” Some have found here a distinction between ruling elders and teaching elders. But this is doubtful. Probably some elders gave themselves to preaching and teaching in addition to their regular duties—as was the case with Stephen and Philip as deacons (Acts 6–8).