Elders And Discipline

I Timothy 5: 17-25

Now Paul has returned to the subject of elders, the pastors and bishops in the local congregations.

(17) The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

The pastors who do a good job at supervising the work of the local congregation are to be considered as deserving double pay. This word refers to a price paid for something.

If this means to double their paychecks, then to apply this again would double it again! So it probably means that their respect and admiration would be increased. And an extra honorarium could be given from time to time.

(18) For the Scripture says:

"You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing" (Deuteronomy 25: 4),

 and

"The laborer is worthy of his wages" (Luke 10: 7).

The Old Testament quote is from a list of general laws, referring to allowing domestic animals to be able to enjoy the results of the work they do, with an application also to human workers, to partake of the benefits of their labors.

And if Paul is quoting Jesus' words as Scripture also, then this may be the earliest instance of the Lord's words being quoted as "Scripture."

(19) Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.

This is a serious matter, and Paul goes back to the principal given in the Law (Deuteronomy 19: 15; 17: 6) to not entertain any charge against any man, but especially one who has authority in the church, unless there are at least two, or even three who can personally witness to the error or wrongdoing.

(20) Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.

This is a process of encouragement to repent and forsake the sin, that brothers and sisters in Christ have been given responsibility for over one another (Matthew 18: 15-17).

Here Paul is dealing with the pastoral team in a local congregation, when one who is in authority in the church has fallen into error. So the pastor or deacon is to be approached individually first, then with the two or three witnesses; and if he turns around and repents and forsakes the sin, then all is good. But if he is stubborn and refuses to listen and consider, then he must be reprimanded in front of the whole pastoral staff of the local church, so that they also will be on their guard against the error or failing in their responsibility to be an example to the flock. The pastoral team are the ones charged to be this example.

I have seen this principal applied at the local church I was a member of. But this pastor was rebuked before the whole congregation. This man did repent and turn around the situation, but he was so humiliated publicly that he left that congregation in disgrace, and had to find another local church and start over.

(21) I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.

This is a very serious and important matter to be carefully and wisely applied. There must not be any application of any discipline that would be too lax or too stringent. We must carefully apply the Word as a scalpel, to cut only what needs to be cut, and not a sharp sword swung carelessly about.

(22) Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.

This laying on of hands would apply to ordination to a position of authority in the church, as the one who ordains another puts himself into a measure of surety for this person's character, and so would be implicated in any sins or errors the man is likely to commit. Therefore, someone who is being considered for ordination should be the subject of inquiry into his character and faith.

And here is also the admonition for Timothy to keep himself personally free from error or heresy or personal wrongdoing.

(23) No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

Timothy apparently had a weak stamina, as indicated by his frequent illnesses, so Paul recommended that he use a little of the fermented wine in the area he was in as a medicinal measure because it contained the probiotic he needed for his digestion. He was telling him to "take his vitamins and supplements"!

(24) The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after.

When someone becomes a candidate for ordination, some are obviously not suited for leadership in the church, and others' shortcomings will come out with the Background Check done to research their character.

(25) Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.

On the other hand, a person's good character will also be evident, and the same Background Check will prove that their good deeds reveal their heart for the Lord and for His people.

In any case, the Background Check is necessary today before anyone can be trusted to have any authority in the church, especially to work with the children.

O my Father, there are so many "out there" who claim to be Yours, and only want to take advantage of Your flock. Please help our church leaders to be wise and discerning in choosing who they will trust to pastor Your church, or to teach or minister to Your people, or to work with the little ones.

My Father, every one of Your chosen and redeemed is precious. Father, every member of the whole human race is worth rescuing and saving. Even though none of us deserves Your grace. If we could deserve it, it wouldn't be grace!

O Father, please keep Your church pure and straight, to present Your gospel in truth and compassion, and to tell every living person about how much You love them and want them to be rescued, too. Father, give everyone enough understanding to turn to You when they feel the need for help, and not get sucked into the seductive deception that is coming on the whole world.

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!