1Ti 5:17-20 “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.”
When we consider ruling well, we must think about the instruction that Paul has been giving in this letter. The ruling of elders is not like the ruling of kings or governments. It is not about handing out rules and judgments under our own authority. Ruling well in this sense must come by the grace of God.
For an elder to rule well, the first place he must learn to rule is in his own life. We must rely on the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Our attitude must be one of peace and love. We must love our families and treat them as the gifts from God that they are.
We cannot love the praise of men and rule well. Greed and covetousness cannot be our motivation if we are to rule well. We must be sober and diligent before God. One who is a novice cannot truly be an elder, nor can he be expected to rule well.
By the placement of this admonishment, Paul must have also intended that we be able to apply the teaching concerning widows in a right way. It is important that we counsel against departing from the faith. We should always be ready to sound that alarm when we see the love of men or the things of this world supplanting the love of Jesus Christ.
Some commentators feel to be “worthy of double honor” was a direct indication that the elder was worthy of greater provision than the “widow indeed.” While there is no direct way to determine how much “double honor” is, it is clear that Paul was saying there was something special in the elder who ruled well. He was worthy of two-fold (double) honor. Some have speculated that an elder who ruled well deserved a special recognition on earth and in Heaven.
I am persuaded that the only one in Heaven receiving any honor is God. Just as Jesus admonished the disciples on one occasion, why should we be honored for only doing what we have been called to do (Luke 17:10)? If there is any two-fold honor for the elder, let it be found in the truth that he loved God and that he loved God’s children. Let it be that any honor we have stems from the fact that our lives honor God who called us.
There are some who claim that a man who receives financial recompense from a congregation is a hireling. By this they mean that he will preach whatever the people who are paying him want to hear. Certainly, there is plenty of evidence that there are hirelings out there. However, not every man who receives a regular stipend from a congregation is for hire, nor is every congregation that “pays” their preacher looking for someone to tell them smooth things.
It is a great blessing for all involved whenever a congregation and their elder have a desire to be readily available for the needs of the church. The key is for it to be done by all parties out of a desire to serve God and His people. An elder who can rule well under these circumstances (preach the truth without wavering and serve God’s children faithfully according to the scriptures) is worthy of two-fold honor. He is both preaching the word of God and doing so in a manner that honors God and not man.
Elders are fallible. Sometimes we make mistakes, and sometimes there are those who willfully sin against God and His calling in their lives. Paul is not saying that we should not be held accountable when we fail to rule well. He is saying that the church should be protected by the matter being proved before it is brought to public scrutiny.
There have been many horrors perpetuated against people by men who hid behind the office of an elder. These crimes should not be defended nor ignored by the church. However, it is prudent to know that the elder being charged is truly guilty. False accusations harm both the man and the church.
Once the matter is proven, regardless of who the charge is against, the sin should be publicly rebuked by those who are faithful. They should never endeavor to sweep it under the rug. The treatment should be the same regardless of who the guilty party is. As elders that rule well, we cannot hide or condone sin no matter how heart-breaking the matter might be to us.
May we recognize that only in God can an elder rule well; only in God is he worthy of two-fold honor; and only in God will he stand of fall!
