Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Paul ’s Instruction to Timothy

plurality of elders who are entitled to double honor, not just one man who receives double honor. He doesn’t say, “Let the elder who rules well be considered worthy of double honor.” In a large church like that in the city of Ephesus, one person would be totally inadequate to teach and manage the church (Acts 1321; 15:35). As critically important as the teaching and shepherding gifts are to the local church, the New Testament does not elevate those who pos sess these gifts to a special priestly or clerical status. Nor does it create a distinct office separate from the eldership. Nor does it give to any party exclusive rights to preach, baptize, lead in worship, or adminis ter the Lord’s supper. 28 In fact, the New Testament doesn’t assign a special title or name for these elders even though their giftedness and full- or part-time working status for the church distinguishes them from the other elders. From the New Testament’s perspective, it is difficult even to define the difference between those who evangelize, teach, and shepherd in a full-time capacity and those who serve in the manner in which the Bible charges all Christians to serve (Rom. 12211; 1 Cor. 15 258; 16:15,16; Col. 3223,24; 1 Peter 2:16; 4:10). Precisely defined divi sions such as priest and people, clergy and laity—so much a part of most religious practice—do not exist in the New Testament Christian brotherhood. Paul was the chief enigma of all, for he supported him self by manual labor and at the same time evangelized and taught (Acts 1823; 20234; 1 Cor. 4:12; 926) without diminishing his divine commis sion as the apostle to the Gentiles. The elders, then, who labor in the Word and exercise good leadership are in the words of Scripture, “lead ing men among the brethren” (Acts 15:22).

GIVING DOUBLE HONOR

According to Paul, all elders should be honored, but elders who rule well and work hard at preaching and teaching are entitled to “double honor.” By using the expression, “double honor,” Paul wisely avoids slighting other elders of their due honor and is able to call special attention to those who rule well and those who labor at teaching. So “double honor” refers to honor for an elder of the church and honor for his extra labor. The word “honor” (time) means “respect,” “consideration,” or “high

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