I Timothy for Beginners

• Ruling – Ruling applies to the elder's role in leading the congregation.
• Preaching – Preaching refers to the elder's role in proclaiming God's word.
• Teaching – Teaching is instruction and application of God's word given by church leaders.

These are three distinct roles, yet all three are interrelated and equally important for elders to shepherd and guard their respective congregations.

There are several opinions as to what "double honor" means: Double pay, honor plus pay, twice the amount 60-year-old widows received, honor for age and carrying out the role of an elder. The general thought on this is that elders may receive a salary from the church as seen in the context of I Timothy 5:17-18. An example of this is when an elder also serves as a pulpit minister and is paid for his services.

There will certainly be different thoughts on this point. Look for responses that include an elder's commitment to the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual well-being of the members in their congregation.

Some may feel there is not a relationship here since it deals with one sinning against another. Yet the principle behind these instructions may certainly apply to one's individual relationship with an elder. We should go to that person one-on-one and seek to resolve the situation. If the situation is severe enough then we should follow our Lord's instructions. As per Paul's instructions, we must have witnesses to the elder's sin, and just as Jesus Himself instructed, if the behavior persists, then the matter should be brought before the congregation.

Laying on of hands was a method of signifying various actions. One was a way of blessing someone (Matthew 19:13). It was a sign of healing (Mark 8:25). Note that in this case, it was for miraculous action by Christ and would be exercised later by the apostles. It is not used in this way today. It can be used as a sign of empowerment (Acts 8:18). It can also be used as a sign of commendation (Acts 6:6). Today, we use the laying on of hands as a way of blessing or commending someone to a certain ministry (preaching, missions, elder, deacon etc.).

Paul is not necessarily condoning the use of alcoholic beverages. In the context of the time, water was not purified and contained potential parasites and other impurities, so wine was a common drink which did not contain these impurities. In our world today we have access to cleaner water (in most cases). We also have medications to treat various illnesses that were not available at that time.

The character traits that enable a man to serve as an elder must be and are generally evident to others. In the same way, their deeds, whether good or not, will also be evident.

They are human. We sometimes place unfair and unattainable standards on our elders forgetting that they are human and subject to the same issues all of us face.

Elders need our encouragement and sometimes correction. We must recognize that they carry an extra load, well beyond what many of us are capable of bearing. We should support them. If we are in a situation where we must correct them, we must take into consideration, not only God's word, but the honor due them as well.

It is God's plan that we have elders as our leaders in our congregations. We must honor these men and encourage them in their ministry. We work with these men and grow spiritually as they apply God's word in their teachings and examples.