Tag: 1st Timothy 5:17-20
Honor and discipline of elders!
Scripture reading for July 1st: 1st Kings 9, 2nd Chronicles 8, 1st Timothy 5
1st Timothy 5: 17-19 “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.”
The ‘elders’ in a church family are not necessarily old people. They are those set apart by God for spiritual leadership and specifically preaching and teaching the Word of God. This is a high calling and requires dedication and time spent with the Word of God and our Lord. These who work in this calling should have the double honor of compensation and respect for God’s calling and placing them in leadership as HIs servants. However, when there is flagrant sin in the life of an ‘elder’, the sin must be verified by two or three witnesses and an attempt made to confront and bring repentance. If sin persists, the church must be told and the elder publicly rebuked. God is not partial and neither should His church be.
1st Timothy 5:20 “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for calling elders to serve the Church, Your Body on earth. May I always honor the leadership You provide in giving respect and in giving to support them. As an elder, may I always be worthy of ‘double honor’ because I live humbly before You and do all things to Your glory, without partiality or prejudging.
1st Kings 9:6-7 “But if you turn aside from following Me, you or your children, and do not keep My commandments and My statutes that I have set before you, but go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and the house that I have consecrated for My Name I will cast out of My sight, and Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples.”
Honor elders who teach and preach!
Scripture reading for September 28th: Isaiah 11-14; 1st Timothy 5
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 5:17-20 “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.”
Paul gave clear instructions to Timothy about the honoring of church leadership who labor faithfully in the church. Teachers and preachers deserve double honor. But those who are in sin must be confronted with two or three witnesses concerning truth of the sin. Where there is no repentance, public rebuke will help all to live in holy fear.
Isaiah 12:3-4 “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the peoples, proclaim that His Name is exalted.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for placing elders in Your Church to teach Your people to exalt Your Name and proclaim Your mighty deeds. Help me to give them proper honor. Amen.