Bible Strands
1 Timothy 5:17
Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul instructs Timothy on practical church order in Ephesus, moving from widow care (v. 16) to elder support (v. 17) and grounding both in Scripture (v. 18).
The words — τιμῆς (timēs), "honor," here carries the sense of material compensation, confirmed by the "wages" citation in the very next verse.
The thread — 1 Thessalonians 5:12 calls the congregation to "acknowledge" those who labor among them; Galatians 6:6 obliges the learner to share "all good things" with the teacher.
Why it lands — The church owes its teaching elders a higher material provision than other elders, not as a favor but as a settled debt.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12 But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.
- Galatians 6:6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.
- Luke 10:7 Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
- Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
- 2 Timothy 2:6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.
- Philippians 2:29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,
- Romans 12:8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
- Acts 28:10 The islanders honored us in many ways and supplied our needs when we were ready to sail.
- 2 Corinthians 6:1 As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.