The Church's Obligation To Its Elders Series

Scripture

Paul understood that there was a crisis of leadership in Ephesus. In chapter 4:1-5, Paul pointed out some of the distinctive emphases of the false teachers. In chapter 5:11-16, he focused on the younger widows who seemed to have fallen under the influence of the false teachers. Then in chapter 5:17-25, Paul set down the church’s obligations to its elders.

Let us read about the church’s obligation to its elders in 1 Timothy 5:17-25:

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 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. 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine 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 even those that are not cannot remain hidden. (1 Timothy 5:17-25)

Introduction

Leaders can cause great damage to a church. When a church member sins, his sin may impact only himself. But when a church leader sins, his sin impacts the entire church.

About six months ago, our Presbytery disciplined a Teaching Elder who had confessed to an improper relationship with a woman who was not his wife. He was censured for that confession of guilt. However, after that censure was imposed he would no longer participate in defending further charges that were lodged against him. Earlier this month, he was deposed from his office as a Teaching Elder and excluded from the sacraments of the church. That is, he was excommunicated.

These allegations against the minister surfaced a year ago and finally brought him to confess his sin. The church that he pastored went through a significant amount of upheaval and turmoil. Many members left the church in the wake of the pastor’s confession of sin. Thankfully, the Presbytery has just this month approved an experienced minister to serve as an Interim Pastor to help them get back on track.

Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to get the Ephesian church back on track. The Ephesian church was confronted with false teaching and young Timothy was feeling timid and overwhelmed.

In the text we are going to examine today, Paul told Timothy what a truly biblical eldership looked like. He did not repeat the qualifications for elders that he had given in chapter 3. In today’s text, Paul was not concerned about the character and qualifications of the elder. Rather, he was concerned about how the church viewed its elders. Paul wanted Timothy to teach the church about its obligations to its elders.

Lesson

1 Timothy 5:17-25 gives us practical instruction for the church’s obligation to its elders.

Let’s use the following outline:

1. The Church Must Honor Faithful Elders (5:17-18)

2. The Church Must Protect Accused Elders (5:19)

3. The Church Must Rebuke Sinning Elders (5:20-21)

4. The Church Must Select Qualified Elders (5:22-25)

I. The Church Must Honor Faithful Elders (5:17-18)

First, the church must honor faithful elders.

Paul wrote in verse 17, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” The elders are men who are called by God to serve as shepherds of the local congregation. They are the spiritual overseers in the church.

The Greek word that is translated as “honor” (time) can mean either “price, value, compensation, or honor,” depending on the context. Certainly, elders who serve God and his people well should be esteemed and appreciated appropriately for their service. In those instances in which elders receive payment for their service, they should be properly compensated.

The expression “double honor” does not mean that they should receive twice as much as others, but because of their faithful service, they should be paid generously.

The Greek word for “especially” (malista) carries the idea of “chiefly” or “particularly.” It seems that Paul recognized that some elders would labor chiefly in the ministry of exposition and teaching. The Greek word for “labor” (kopiao) means “to do wearisome labor, or labor unto extreme fatigue.” Paul stressed not so much the amount of the work being done in preaching and teaching but rather the effort that went into the work of preaching and teaching.