1 Timothy 5:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Complete Jewish Bible:

The leaders who lead well should be considered worthy of double honor, especially those working hard at communicating the Word and at teaching.

Berean Standard Bible:

Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

American Standard Version:

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Let^{G515} the elders^{G4245} that rule^{G4291} well^{G2573} be counted worthy^{G515} of double^{G1362} honour^{G5092}, especially^{G3122} they who labour^{G2872} in^{G1722} the word^{G3056} and^{G2532} doctrine^{G1319}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for 1 Timothy 5:17

1 Timothy 5:17 is a verse from the New Testament that provides guidance on how the early Christian community should regard its leaders, specifically the "elders." The historical context of this verse is rooted in the first century when the burgeoning Christian Church was establishing its governance and structure. In the early Church, elders, also known as presbyters or overseers (bishops), were responsible for teaching, leading, and shepherding the congregations.

The verse emphasizes two key themes: honor and remuneration for Church leaders, and the importance of their work in preaching and teaching. The phrase "rule well" suggests that not all elders were equally diligent or effective in their roles. Those who performed their duties with excellence were to be recognized and honored, implying that their contributions were of significant value to the community.

The call for "double honour" can be interpreted both in terms of respect and financial support. In the cultural and economic context of the time, it was important to ensure that Church leaders, who often worked full-time in their roles, were provided for materially, especially considering that their work left little time for other employment.

Furthermore, the verse singles out those elders "who labour in the word and doctrine," highlighting the premium placed on sound teaching and the correct handling of Scripture. This indicates the early Church's commitment to doctrinal purity and the belief that right belief leads to right living. The emphasis on laboring in word and doctrine also reflects the high regard for the intellectual and spiritual work of interpreting and disseminating Christian teachings.

In summary, 1 Timothy 5:17 addresses the practical and spiritual aspects of supporting Church leadership. It calls for the recognition and compensation of those elders who lead effectively and devote themselves to the preaching and teaching of the Christian faith, thus ensuring the health and growth of the early Christian communities.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G515
   There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀξιόω
   Transliteration: axióō
   Pronunciation: ax-ee-o'-o
   Description: from ἄξιος; to deem entitled or fit:--desire, think good, count (think) worthy.
   
2. Strong's Number: G4245
   There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πρεσβύτερος
   Transliteration: presbýteros
   Pronunciation: pres-boo'-ter-os
   Description: comparative of (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or Christian "presbyter":-- elder(-est), old.
   
3. Strong's Number: G4291
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: προΐστημι
   Transliteration: proḯstēmi
   Pronunciation: pro-is'-tay-mee
   Description: from πρό and ἵστημι; to stand before, i.e. (in rank) to preside, or (by implication) to practise:--maintain, be over, rule.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2573
   There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καλῶς
   Transliteration: kalōs
   Pronunciation: kal-oce'
   Description: adverb from καλός; well (usually morally):--(in a) good (place), honestly, + recover, (full) well.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1362
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διπλοῦς
   Transliteration: diploûs
   Pronunciation: dip-looce'
   Description: from δίς and (probably) the base of πλείων; two-fold:--double, two-fold more.
   
6. Strong's Number: G5092
   There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τιμή
   Transliteration: timḗ
   Pronunciation: tee-may'
   Description: from τίνω; a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself:--honour, precious, price, some.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3122
   There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μάλιστα
   Transliteration: málista
   Pronunciation: mal'-is-tah
   Description: neuter plural of the superlative of an apparently primary adverb (very); (adverbially) most (in the greatest degree) or particularly:--chiefly, most of all, (e-)specially.
   
8. Strong's Number: G2872
   There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κοπιάω
   Transliteration: kopiáō
   Pronunciation: kop-ee-ah'-o
   Description: from a derivative of κόπος; to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard:--(bestow) labour, toil, be wearied.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
10. Strong's Number: G3056
    There are 316 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λόγος
    Transliteration: lógos
    Pronunciation: log'-os
    Description: from λέγω; something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1319
    There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: διδασκαλία
    Transliteration: didaskalía
    Pronunciation: did-as-kal-ee'-ah
    Description: from διδάσκαλος; instruction (the function or the information):--doctrine, learning, teaching.