1Ti 5:17-18 | RWP | e4.org | The elders that rule well ( ο καλως προεστωτες πρεσβυτερο ). See verse for ordinary sense of πρεσβυτερος for "older man." But here of position in same sense as επισκοπος ( ) as in = επισκοπος in verse . Cf. Luke's use of πρεσβυτερος ( ) = Paul's επισκοπους ( ). Προεστωτες is second perfect active participle of προιστημ (intransitive use) for which see . Let be counted worthy ( αξιουσθωσαν ). Present passive imperative of αξιοω , to deem worthy ( ). With genitive case here. Of double honour ( διπλης τιμης ). Old and common contract adjective ( διπλοος , two-fold, in opposition to απλοος , single fold). But why "of double honour"? See for "of all honour." White suggests "remuneration" rather than "honour" for τιμης (a common use for price or pay). Liddon proposes "honorarium" (both honour and pay and so "double"). Wetstein gives numerous examples of soldiers receiving double pay for unusual services. Some suggest twice the pay given the enrolled widows. Especially those who labour in word and teaching ( μαλιστα ο κοπιωντες εν λογω κα διδασκαλια ). Either those who work hard or toil (usual meaning of κοπιαω , ) in preaching and teaching (most probable meaning. See verse ) or those who teach and preach and not merely preside (a doubtful distinction in "elders" at this time). See . See both κοπιαω and προισταμα used for same men (elders) in and the use of κοπιαω in ; .

‏ 1 Timothy 5:17-18

The elders that rule well ( ο καλως προεστωτες πρεσβυτερο ). See verse 1 for ordinary sense of πρεσβυτερος for "older man." But here of position in same sense as επισκοπος (3:2) as in Tit 1:5 = επισκοπος in verse 7. Cf. Luke's use of πρεσβυτερος (Ac 20:17) = Paul's επισκοπους (Ac 20:28). Προεστωτες is second perfect active participle of προιστημ (intransitive use) for which see 3:4.

Let be counted worthy ( αξιουσθωσαν ). Present passive imperative of αξιοω, to deem worthy (2Th 1:11). With genitive case here.

Of double honour ( διπλης τιμης ). Old and common contract adjective ( διπλοος, two-fold, in opposition to απλοος, single fold). But why "of double honour"? See 6:1 for "of all honour." White suggests "remuneration" rather than "honour" for τιμης (a common use for price or pay). Liddon proposes "honorarium" (both honour and pay and so "double"). Wetstein gives numerous examples of soldiers receiving double pay for unusual services. Some suggest twice the pay given the enrolled widows.

Especially those who labour in word and teaching ( μαλιστα ο κοπιωντες εν λογω κα διδασκαλια ). Either those who work hard or toil (usual meaning of κοπιαω, 2Ti 2:6) in preaching and teaching (most probable meaning. See verse 18) or those who teach and preach and not merely preside (a doubtful distinction in "elders" at this time). See Tit 1:8f. See both κοπιαω and προισταμα used for same men (elders) in 1Th 5:12 and the use of κοπιαω in 1Co 15:10; 16:16.

Thou shalt not muzzle ( ου φιμωσεις ). Prohibition by ου and future (volitive) indicative of φιμοω (from φιμος, muzzle), old word, quoted also in 1Co 9:9 as here from De 25:4, and for the same purpose, to show the preacher's right to pay for his work. See 1Co 9:9 for αλοωντα ( when he treadeth out the corn).

The labourer is worthy of his hire ( αξιος ο εργατης του μισθου αυτου ). These words occur in precisely this form in Lu 10:7. It appears also in Mt 10:10 with της τροφης (food) instead of του μισθου. In 1Co 9:14 Paul has the sense of it and says: "so also the Lord ordained," clearly meaning that Jesus had so said. It only remains to tell whether Paul here is quoting an unwritten saying of Jesus as he did in Ac 20:35 or even the Gospel of Luke or Q (the Logia of Jesus). There is no way to decide this question. If Luke wrote his Gospel before A.D. 62 as is quite possible and Acts by A.D. 63, he could refer to the Gospel. It is not clear whether Scripture is here meant to apply to this quotation from the Lord Jesus. For εργατης (labourer) see Php 3:2.