Labor in Word and Doctrine

March 27, 2011

Lesson: 1 Timothy 5:1–4, 17–21

Key Verse: 1 Timothy 5:17

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Introduction

The congregation is a gathering of people whom God has chosen to be His own. When the congregation meets, they are to be of one mind, they are to see Christ Jesus and hear His Word. Our song is “How majestic is His name in all the earth.” Therefore, we, as God’s congregation, are to see his majesty as King and Head of the Body of Christ, His eternal and everlasting Church. The gathering of God’s people is to witness the “Father of glory,”—and “what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church (ekklesia=gathering of people, the congregation), which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph. 1:17-23).

This is the Christ whom we serve and worship. This is the Great Shepherd who has chosen men to serve Him as elders, under-shepherds in His congregation. These elders are those of whom Paul speaks, Timothy being one of those elders, saying, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine” (1 Tim. 5:17). It could be said then that those who minister faithfully are those who by the Spirit communicate to the people that which is the truth, to teach that which is the true doctrine which God has communicated to us by his written Word. Matthew Henry wrote that “The work of ministers; it consists principally in two things: ruling well and labouring in the word and doctrine.” We understand that elders rule well when they are ministering as under-shepherds in the love and grace of the Great Shepherd of the sheep.

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The Elder as a Father—1 Timothy 5:1-4

Continuing to instruct Timothy, Paul admonishes, “Rebuke not an elder.” The congregation needs to look at the chosen elder with their eyes upon Christ, to be a blessing to one another in their fellowship and worship: “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Heb.0:24). Thus Paul admonishes the congregation see the elder “as a father; and the younger men as brethren; the elder woman as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.” The congregation is a family, the more mature to love and encourage the younger; those who are in special need are to be served with kindness and love, giving them the fellowship they sorely need—for example: “But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents (the children and grandchildren, nephews, are to do all they can to help the parents in any need): for that is good and acceptable before God.” There is a happy fellowship in the congregation that looks to the needs of each other. The Westminster Confession understands this: “Saints by profession are bound to maintain a holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God: and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification; as also in relieving each other in outward things, according to their several abilities, and necessities. Which communion, as God offereth opportunity, is to be extended unto all those who, in every place, call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Discussion: How do we show our love for one another in the congregation of which Christ is the Head?

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Worthy of Reward—1 Timothy 5:17-21

Paul encourages the minister to persevere in his service: “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.” Not, “give them double honor,” for this gives the devil opportunity to tempt them to think more highly of themselves than they are. “Count them worthy,” treat them as such that they may be encouraged in the tasks to which they have been chosen by the Shepherd. They receive such an honor because of their faithfulness in communicating the Word of God, and in their desire to grow in the knowledge and understanding of the Truth as revealed by the Spirit of God. Paul says that there is a special need to support the faithful minister: “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, the laborer is worth of his reward.” Elders, who are under-shepherds of Christ, can be muzzled by the fellowship by their selfish words and deeds. Calvin wrote of the necessity that “elders should not be neglected,” and that for the “preserving the good order of the Church.” And that “due regard should be paid to them; for what could be more unfeeling than to have no care about those who have the care of the whole Church?” He continues writing that Paul “enjoins that support shall be provided chiefly for pastors, who are employed in teaching. Such is the ingratitude of the world, that very little care is taken about supporting the ministers of the word; and Satan, by this trick, endeavors to deprive the Church of instruction, by terrifying many, through the dread of poverty and hunger, from bearing that burden.”

If there be such viable accusations against the elder, then they must be brought before him by “two or three witnesses.” Thus, knowing that one has truly sinned: “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.” Confession of sin and the repentance and forgiveness that could follow, would give others to turn from their sin. It must be noted that Paul here is speaking about sins that are of a heinous or scandalous nature, being public must be shown publicly. As for sins where the sinner can be personally brought to repentance, it need not be shown publically. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John1:7-9).

Paul’s words to Timothy encourage his ministry: “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.” Timothy is to minister to each one of the congregation without thought of who deserves better over another. The minister must see each of saints in the flock as being most precious; for he himself stands amongst those of heaven, first before God the Father and the Son and the Spirit, among those who are the elect angels. The glory of heaven keeps the minister in humble service, which will feed the lambs with love and kindness, which alone comes from Christ.

Discussion: What does it mean to be a worthy servant of Christ?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2011 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.