CONCERNING ELDERS 1 Timothy 5:17-25

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1 I. Compensating Elders (17-18) II. Correcting Elders (19-21) III. Choosing Elders (22-25) CONCERNING ELDERS 1 Timothy 5:17-25 Intro: In 1 Timothy 5:1-16, we were told how to care for others. In this section, young pastor Timothy is now instructed how to care for elders. What exactly is a church elder? Elders (presbyteroi) are official leaders who help the church to function in a decent and orderly fashion (cf. Acts 20:17 38; Titus 1:5-9). You may recall that the role of a Bishop/Overseer (Episkopoi) was previously mentioned in 1 Timothy 3:1-7. At this church, we use title of Senior Pastor when addressing this office, and Pastor Al Pittman is the overseer of this congregation; he shepherds this flock as it has been entrusted to him (1 Peter 5:1-2). Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd! Within the church, there are additional elders who function in different capacities. They are spiritually mature men who have likewise been entrusted with oversight in various affairs of the congregation. In Titus 1:5, Paul mentions that the elder role is a necessity: For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you. Paul knew that Timothy needed special instruction CONCERNING ELDERS at Ephesus: Mainly to establish order (Titus 1:5); Possibly, because the Ephesian elders were already becoming unruly (Acts 20:29-31); Definitively, because he was a young pastor who needed proper insight (1 Timothy 4:12). Within this text Paul provides instruction CONCERNING ELDERS that is threefold: I. COMPENSATING ELDERS (v ) Paul first mentions that elders should receive some type of remuneration for their work in the church. Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain, and The laborer is worthy of his wages. A. Consider their Leadership (v. 17a) Two eldership roles are mentioned here: Those who RULE (Acts 6:3), and those who TEACH (Acts 6:4). 1. Those who rule are ones who supervise the work of the congregation (Expound). Paul specifically points to the ones who RULE WELL; they are to receive DOUBLE HONOR!

2 a. What is meant by the phase double honor? In this context, it refers to financial support. In 5:1, Paul mentioned that real widows are worthy of honor, speaking of financial support. Now he says, let elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor! b. In other words, a good elder/leader shouldn t just sit around and eat donuts all day and occasionally read the bible. On the contrary, an elder who rules well leads with diligence and fervor he is one who is concerned for a healthy church body. These are the ones who should receive not only honor, but double honor! B. Consider their Labor (v. 17b) The second type of eldership role pertains to those who TEACH, i.e., those who LABOR In WORD and DOCTRINE. 1. Those who Labor (Kopiao / cop-ee-ah-oh): to feel fatigue as the result of HARD WORK! To labor, toil, or to be wearied (in a particular task). 2. Studying to teach is extremely laborious! In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul charges Timothy to labor in the word of God: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. a. This implies that teaching pastors who are NOT DILIGENT in studying God s word should be ashamed, NOT DOUBLY HONORED! b. Those who fail to study will not know correct doctrine; therefore James says (James 3:1), My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. C. Consider the Scriptures (v. 18) Paul uses quotes from both the Old and New Testament to confirm that this instruction is a biblical ordinance! 1. It is God s plan that the needs of His servants be met by their local churches, and He will bless churches that are faithful to His servants. You shall not muzzle on ox while it treats out the grain. Deuteronomy 25:4 2. Some congregations fail to compensate their leaders (pastors and elders); as a result, the health of the church fails. A laborer is worthy of his wages. Luke 10:7 CLOSING THOUGHT: If pastors are faithful in feeding and leading the people, then the church ought to be faithful and pay them adequately. Warren Wiersbe: The local church grows through the ministry of the Word of God (Ephesians 4:11). Unless the believers are fed, cleansed, and strengthened by the Word, they will be weak and useless and will only create problems. (Dealing with conflict is a whole other issue! a Segway into our next point)

3 II. CORRECTING ELDERS (v ) Knowing that pastor Timothy would eventually hear reports or even complaints from certain congregants, or even other elders in the church, Paul wanted young Timothy to know how to respond: A. When Accusations Arise (v. 19) Do not receive an ACCUSATION against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Instruction: Use Caution! Timothy was not to allow false accusations about church leaders to circulate. 1. Any accusation against a leader should not be automatically received. WHY? Because NOT everybody in the body of Christ is credible! Within any church there are busybodies and complainers, looking to tear someone down, rather than build someone up. a. Rumors, false accusations and gossips destroy reputations! b. A healthy practice when approached with an accusation or rumor: 1) Bring another near. 2) Ask them to write it down on paper. (If it is serious, then they will comply.) 2. Two or three WITNESSES! Clarification: Not just two or three others who also heard the gossip. When two or three witnesses are saying the same things about an elder, it should be investigated. Why? It is hard to get two, let alone three people to agree to sin, if the accusations are false. 3. Serious accusations MUST be investigated and confirmed using the Matthew 18:15-18 process. The disciplining of church members is also explained in Romans 16:17 18; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2:6 11; Galatians 6:1 3; 2 Thessalonians 3:6 16; 2 Timothy 2:23 26; Titus 3:10; and 2 John Why so many? Because we are all sinners! B. When Found Guilty (v. 20) Those who ARE SINNING rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest may fear also. Instruction: Rebuke Openly! Now this does NOT mean that we post a notification in the church bulletin when an elder s sin is found out. This speaks of an elder who continues in sin after he has been confronted by two or three witnesses. 1. (Matthew 18:15-18) provides steps when dealing with a sinning brother or sister. They are: Step One First tell the person the fault, one-on-one (Matthew 18:15). If not received... Step Two Bring another witness to confirm the fault (Matthew 18:16). If still not received...

4 Step Three Bring it to the church! (Matthew 18:17a). If still not received... Step Four The church then makes it known that he is excommunicated from the church! 2. Now this may seem rather harsh, but we must understand that SIN DESTROYS! It spreads like a virus, infecting many in a negative way if not dealt with properly. ESPECIALLY WHEN A LEADER IS UNREPENTANT! 3. What to do when it is your close friend? Timothy was to obey the word no matter what his personal feelings or relationship with the sinner might be. In judgment, he was to be... C. Without Prejudice (v. 21) I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you OBSERVE these things WITHOUT PRJUDICE, doing nothing with PARTIALITY. This is a strict WARNING, that all Heaven witnesses our actions when disciplining elders. (Elect angels included!) Discipline should be done fairly, without prejudging the matter or being partial for whatever reason. CLOSING THOUGHT: When correcting elders, the Word of God should be the deciding factor, not our feelings! Regardless of who or what a person is, we should not allow prejudice or partiality to taint a righteous ruling. When we do, then we likewise share their sins. You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous Deuteronomy 16:19 III. CHOOSING ELDERS (v ) Paul s final instruction CONCERNING ELDERS addresses the affirmation of a man who is accepted into public ministry. When choosing elders, Timothy was to do so... A. Without Haste (v. 22) Do not lay hands on anyone hastily... This can be interpreted in two ways: 1. Regarding Ordination Paul cautioned Timothy to let a man prove himself before he was recognized in ministry. There should not be a rush! Time must season a man and his ministry. a. Ultimately it is God who ordains! He calls and enables...don t run from it! You want God s recognition! b. CWC ordination process (Required Books & Practices, i.e., weddings, funerals, etc.) Paper recognition!

5 c. Nor share in other people s sins; keep yourself pure Even though the Church is always looking for new pastors and elders, Paul warned Timothy to remain pure by NOT PARTICIPATING when unqualified men were considered for eldership. (WAIT ON THE LORD! Let Him confirm it first!) 2. Regarding Restoration - Some think this refers to receiving repentant people back into the fellowship of the church. Some early church circles used the laying on of hands to receive them back into the church. If this is the case, Paul is saying, "Don't do it too fast. Let them demonstrate their repentance first." III. CHOOSING ELDERS (22-25) cont. Moving on, we now have a controversial topic which must be received in the proper context... Verse 23 reads...no longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach s sake and your frequent infirmities. A. Weaknesses (v. 23) Considering Health! Timothy was ill for some unknown reason, and Paul mentions the use of wine for medicinal reasons; not for social drinking! 1. Paul knew that water in the ancient world was often polluted, or carried various diseases. He also knew that wine was fermented, and would act as a disinfectant to protect Timothy s stomach from his ailments. 2. The Bible mentions wine or strong drink in many passages. Overall it does not demand total abstinence; however, it does denounce drunkenness Those who practice that sin will not enter the kingdom of heaven (Galatians 5:21). 3. Since our passage is CONCERNING ELDERS, I found Proverbs 31:4-7 to be a great application: It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink; 5 Lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted. [Instead...] 6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitter of heart. 7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 4. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18

6 B. Works of men (v ) It is easy to see the struggles and sins some have (i.e., pride, theft, anger, murder, etc.) but with some others, the sins are hidden (guile, envy, deceit, pornography, lust). 1. These words are meant to be a caution to Timothy in his appointing of leaders. Sometimes what one sees on the outside isn't really an accurate picture, so we need to take it slowly. We can wait on God for discernment. 2. The ministry of a local church rises and falls with its leadership. Godly leadership means God s blessing, and that is what we want and need.