1 Timothy 5:17-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:17-25

Here are directions, I. Concerning the supporting of ministers. Care must be taken that they be honourably maintained (1 Tim. 5:17): Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour (that is, of double maintenance, double to what they have had, or to what others have), especially those who labour in the word and doctrine, those who are more laborious than others. Observe, The presbytery ruled, and the same that ruled were those who laboured in the word and doctrine: they had... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 5:17-22

5:17-22 Let elders who discharge their duties well be judged worthy of double honour, especially those who toil in preaching and in teaching; for Scripture says: "You must not muzzle the ox when he is treading the corn," and, "The workman deserves his pay." Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless on the evidence of two or three witnesses. Rebuke those who persist in sin in the presence of all, so that the others may develop a healthy fear of sinning. I... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 5:17-22

(iii) Those who persist in sin are to be publicly rebuked. That public rebuke had a double value. It sobered the sinner into a consideration of his ways; and it made others have a care that they did not involve themselves in a like humiliation. The threat of publicity is no bad thing, if it keeps a man in the right way, even from fear. A wise leader will know the time to keep things quiet and the time for public rebuke. But whatever happens, the Church must never give the impression that it is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:17

Let the elders that rule well ,.... By whom are meant not elders in age; though such ought to be honoured and respected, and to have a proper maintenance either from their children or the church, when reduced, and incapable of helping themselves; but then this is what should be done to all such persons, whereas the elders here are particularly described as good rulers and labourers in the word and doctrine; besides, elders in age are taken notice of before; nor are civil magistrates... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:18

In Deuteronomy 25:4 thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn ; See Gill on 1 Corinthians 9:9 . See Gill on 1 Corinthians 9:10 . The ox, for its strength and labour, is a fit emblem of a Gospel minister; and its treading the corn out of the husk and ear aptly represents the beating out, as it were, of Gospel truths, by the ministers of it, their making the doctrines of the Gospel clear, plain, and evident to the understandings of men; wherefore, as the ox was not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:19

Against an elder receive not an accusation ,.... A charge of any crime: but before two or three witnesses ; good sufficient ones, who are capable of well attesting the fact: a charge against a pastor of a church is not to be easily received; it should not be listened to privately, unless it clearly appears by such a number of witnesses; nor should it be brought publicly before the church, until it is privately and previously proved, by a sufficient number of credible witnesses, that it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:20

Them that sin rebuke before all ,.... This the apostle adds to the above rule, to show that he was far from screening wicked ministers, or elders, guilty of flagitious crimes, and gross enormities: for these words, though they may be applied unto, and may hold good of all offenders, that are members of churches; yet they seem chiefly to regard elders, even such who sin, who continue to sin, who live in sin, in some notorious sin or another; which is evident and known, to the great scandal of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 5:17

Let the elders that rule well - Elder is probably here the name of an ecclesiastical officer, similar to what we now term presbyter. See on 1 Timothy 5:1 ; (note). Dr. Macknight has remarked that, "in the first age, the name πρεσβυτερος , elder, was given to all who exercised any sacred office in the Church, as is plain from Acts 20:28 , where the persons are called επισκοποι , bishops, who, Acts 20:17 , were called πρεσβυτεροι , elders. The same thing appears from Titus 1:5 ,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 5:18

The Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox - This is a manifest proof that by τιμη , honor, in the preceding verse, the apostle means salary or wages: "Let the elders that rule well be accounted worthy of double honor," a larger salary than any of the official widows mentioned before, for "the laborer is worthy of his hire." The maintenance of every man in the Church should be in proportion to his own labor, and the necessities of his family. He that does no work should have no... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 5:19

Against an elder - Be very cautious of receiving evil reports against those whose business it is to preach to others, and correct their vices. Do not consider an elder as guilty of any alleged crime, unless it be proved by two or three witnesses. This the law of Moses required in respect to all. Among the Romans, a plebeian might be condemned on the deposition of one credible witness; but it required two to convict a senator. The reason of this difference is evident: those whose business it... read more

Group of Brands