5:17
Earlier we had instructions and qualifications for those seeking to be elders or deacons. Now we have instruction on what the attitude of the church should be towards its elders. First notice “direct the affairs of the church well”. Elders should do a good job! Honour here probably refers to proper remuneration, as the next verse indicates. The “double honour” does not necessarily mean they should be paid twice as much, but they should be paid properly. There should also be proper respect for them as well. Preaching and teaching is singled out as exceptionally important. There is no direct benefit to the church in worldly terms for good preaching and teaching, but for the spiritual health (and this will impact financially as well), good teaching and preaching is essential.
5:18
Paul makes clear here that he is talking about paying ministers properly. The way he does this is interesting. First, let’s just look at the sayings themselves. The first comes from Deut 25:4 and is talking about an ox, Paul then applies it to people. This is somewhat akin to Jesus and the Sabbath. Jesus pointed out that the Pharisees regarded it as perfectly fine to rescue an animal on the Sabbath, so how much more is it fine to rescue a human being on the Sabbath. Likewise, if an ox was to be supplied with food while it worked, so a preacher should be properly provided for so he can concentrate on the work in hand and do it properly.The second quote comes from some words of Jesus in Luke 10:7 in the context of being on a mission trip and receiving support. There is nothing “holy” about making someone else’s job more difficult than it need be, or in refusing to accept legitimate help or reward in the work we do.
The second quotation is interesting because it is from Luke’s gospel, and it is likely (though not absolutely certain) that this letter was written before Luke. So Paul may be quoting from known sayings of Jesus. He attributes the words of Jesus with Scriptural authority.
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