1 Timothy 5:17–25 “How the Church Operates”

1 Timothy 5:17-25 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Build Your Kingdom Here – Rend Collective
• Brother, sister, let me serve you
• God So Loved – We The Kingdom

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Acts 2:42 – What We Do at Church – Short Lesson for Kids
• The Early Church | Bible Stories for Kids – Lesson for Kids
• Stand Together | Kingdom Rock VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• You, You, You | Sky VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Pray About Everything (Philippians 4:6-7)| Kingdom Rock VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The term “elder” (v. 17) has the same meaning as “overseer” mentioned earlier. “Elder” reflects a Jewish background, while “overseer” reflects a non-Jewish background. The command that they “are worthy of respect” is related to the fifth commandment of the Ten Commandments, just as the earlier command in verse 3, “Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.” Since the church is an extended family, believers are to treat their spiritual leaders (elders or overseers) with the same honor as children would give to parents in the household. To “honor” can mean an attitude of respect, but it also includes material support.

Some denominations make a distinction between “elders who direct the affairs of the church” and “elders who work hard at preaching and teaching.” Based on this, they differentiate between the pastoral role of elder (focused on preaching and teaching) and the lay role of elder (focused on administration and governance). However, this passage is not evidence that the Ephesian church had two separate kinds of elders.

The apostle gives two scriptural grounds for the command that the church must materially support its spiritual leaders. The first is from Deuteronomy 25:4: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain” (v. 18). The apostle sees this as a basis for supporting elders. The second is from Jesus’ words: “The worker deserves his wages.” Jesus said this when He sent out the seventy-two disciples, telling them to stay in the homes of those who welcomed them and to eat what was provided (Luke 10:7).

However, an elder can fall into serious sin. If accusations arise, they should only be accepted for investigation when supported by the testimony of two or three witnesses, as required by the Law (v. 19). If proven true, the matter must be dealt with publicly, serving as a warning to others. The phrase “those who sin” (v. 20) is better translated as “those who persist in sin.” This refers to those who neither acknowledge nor repent of their wrongdoing. Jesus taught that when serious issues arise among believers, they should be addressed in a three-step process (Matthew 18:18–20). Even so, the church must handle such matters “without partiality” and with “fairness” (v. 21).

To avoid such situations, the apostle commands Timothy: “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands” (v. 22). For this reason, Paul had earlier listed the qualifications for overseers and deacons (3:1–13). The phrase “do not share in the sins of others” is better understood as “do not become entangled in the sins of others.” When dealing with such issues in the church, there is a risk of becoming implicated and facing blame. This is why Paul adds, “Keep yourself pure.”

Often, the reason one becomes entangled while trying to resolve someone else’s problem is a hasty desire to fix it quickly. The apostle warns that even hidden sins will eventually be exposed (v. 24), and good deeds too cannot remain hidden forever (v. 25). Therefore, Timothy is encouraged not to rush but to handle matters in an orderly way, following proper steps and procedures.

Meditation:

The Apostle Paul is well known for his tentmaking ministry. During his training as a teacher of the Law, he learned and practiced the trade of leatherworking. Jewish teachers of the Law would provide counsel about the Law without receiving payment. After his conversion, as Paul went about preaching the gospel, he would sometimes support himself financially rather than depend on church members—just as he did in Corinth. However, in Philippi, he relied on Lydia’s material support, and even after that, he accepted financial support sent from the Philippian church. Paul did not refuse support because he lacked the right to it, but because he chose to lay down that right.

Paul’s concern was that his personal choice would not harm other evangelists or spiritual leaders. The reason he did not take financial support was that he was able to provide for himself, and he believed this would be more helpful for the church members. Yet this did not mean that believers should demand that all evangelists and spiritual leaders do the same. In fact, the best situation is for spiritual leaders to depend on the material support of the congregation so that they can devote themselves fully to leading, evangelizing, and preaching the Word.

Spiritual leaders have both a right and a responsibility to fulfill this. They should not take the financial support of church members for granted but should fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to them. While minor mistakes can be forgiven—and may even serve as opportunities for growth—remaining in unrepentant and obvious sin is a serious problem, one that could require removal from spiritual leadership. Such persistence in sin represents the deepest betrayal of the congregation.

The church fulfills its true purpose when the faithful spiritual lives and service of its leaders combine with the love and support of its members. Both leaders and members must be willing to lay down their own rights and serve one another. Only then can the church truly experience being a community of love.

Prayer:

Lord, who continues the work of incarnation through the church, bless the church You have entrusted to us. Grant faithfulness and humility to our spiritual leaders, and may all members respond together with one heart, so that we may become a beautiful community of love. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: The church becomes a true community of love when spiritual leaders serve with humility and faithfulness, and church members support them with love and unity. Everyone—leaders and members—must lay down their own rights and serve one another, just as Christ did for us.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • Why do you think God wants us to respect and pray for our pastors and church leaders?
  • How can we show love to people in our church family, just like we love our own family?
  • What does it mean to make the church a place full of love and kindness?
    
• Youth
  • Paul sometimes gave up his right to financial support to serve better. What does it mean for you to “lay down your rights” in order to help others?
  • Why is it important for leaders and church members to work together with humility and faithfulness?