The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is studying Paul's pastoral Epistles (Letters) to his proteges, Timothy and Titus.
Paul instructed Timothy how to minister to specific groups in his church so that no one felt that they were left out or left behind because as we have said the church (local church) is God’s household a family and we should treat family member with respect and without partiality.
1 Timothy 5:1-2 NIV [1] Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, [2] older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
Paul addressed three topics: paying the elders, discipling the elders and selecting and ordaining the elders.
Paying the elders (vv. 17–18).
1 Timothy 5:17-18 NIV [17] The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. [18] For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”
In the early church, instead of one pastor, several elders ministered to the people. These men would devote themselves full-time to the work of the Lord, and therefore, they deserved some kind of remuneration.
Today usually the pastoral staff are the only full-time workers in the church. (Of course, there are also secretaries, custodians, and so forth, but Paul was not writing about them.)
There were two kinds of elders in the church: ruling elders who supervised the work of the congregation, and teaching elders, who taught the Word of God.
These elders were chosen from the congregation on the basis of their spiritual gifts and God’s call. After they were chosen, they were ordained and set apart for this ministry.
There are spiritual gifts specifically for the organization and operation of the church
1 Corinthians 12:28 NIV [28] And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
If a church is not organized, there will be wasted effort, money, and opportunities. If spiritually minded leaders do not supervise the various ministries of the local church, there will be chaos instead of order. However, this supervision must not be dictatorial. The ruthless way some church leaders have pushed people around is a disgrace to the gospel.
So you had then and have now, in many churches elders who handle administrative duties and you have some who are tasked with teaching. If they do this full time they should be paid adequately, on the basis of their ministries. Paul quoted an Old Testament law to prove his point
Deuteronomy 25:4 NIV [4] Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.
And something Jesus said
Luke 10:5-7 NIV[5] “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ [6] If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. [7] Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
But there is an even better scripture, and this is from Paul to the church in Corinth.
1 Corinthians 9:7-12 NIV [7] Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? [8] Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? [9] For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? [10] Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. [11] If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? [12] If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
If pastors are faithful in feeding and leading the people, then the church ought to be faithful and pay them adequately. That’s what the “double honor” statement means.
1 Timothy 5:17 NIV [17] The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
It is God’s plan that the needs of His servants be met by their local churches. If a church is not faithful, and its pastor’s needs are not met, it is a poor testimony.
The other side of the coin is this: A pastor must never minister simply to earn money. We saw that in the qualifications
1 Timothy 3:1-3 NIV [1] Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. [2] Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, [3] not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
A pastor should never preach a sermon where he talks about
his own personal financial needs.
Discipling Elders
There will be times when we all may need some discipling because we blow it. God forgives but if you are a leader of a local church you are a representative of God and that church to the community including unbelievers so when we blow it as leaders the church needs to exercise some discipline.
1 Timothy 5:19-21 NIV [19] Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. [20] But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. [21] I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.
When it comes to churches and discipline there are usuallly two extremes.
Either there is no discipline at all, and the church languishes because of disobedience and sin, or the church officers become evangelical policemen who hold a kangaroo court and violate many of the Bible’s spiritual principles.
Scripture already tells us how to discipline a church member.
Matthew 18:15-18 NIV [15] “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. [16] But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ [17] If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. [18] “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Romans 16:17-18 NIV [17] I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. [18] For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
1 Corinthians 5:1-5 NIV [1] It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. [2] And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? [3] For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. [4] So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, [5] hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 2:6-9 NIV [6] The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. [7] Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. [8] I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. [9] Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.
[11] in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
2 Timothy 2:23-26 NIV [23] Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. [24] And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. [25] Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, [26] and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 NIV [6] In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. [7] For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, [8] nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. [9] We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. [10] For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” [11] We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. [12] Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. [13] And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. [14] Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. [15] Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.
But Paul is dealing specifically with leaders here. Always remember that the purpose of discipline is restoration, not revenge. Our purpose must be to save the offender, not to drive him away.
Galatians 6:1-3 NIV [1] Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. [2] Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. [3] If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.
The verb restore that Paul used in Galatians 6:1 means “to set a broken bone.” Think of the patience and tenderness involved in that procedure!
So the very first thing to do is to be very sure of the facts which means you need someone to corroborate what is seen or heard. You need witnesses.
1 Timothy 5:19 NIV [19] Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.
First, those who make any accusation against a pastor or elder must be able to support it with witnesses. Rumor and suspicion are not adequate grounds for discipline. Second, when an accusation is made, witnesses ought to be present. In other words, the accused has the right to face his accuser in the presence of witnesses.
Once sure, about the accusation, the discipline needs to be open and above board
1 Timothy 5:20 NIV [20] But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.
Another reason to do this is so that the person has the opportunity to repent, and if he does, he should be forgiven
Once he is forgiven, the matter is settled and should never be brought up again.
2 Corinthians 2:6-7 NIV [6] The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. [7] Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. [9] Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. [10] Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, [11] in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
When discipline is needed don’t show any partiality whatsoever obey the Word no matter what your personal feelings might be.
1 Timothy 5:21 NIV [21] I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.
There are no seniority rights in a local church; each member has the same standing before God and His Word. To show either prejudice or partiality is to make the situation even worse.
The last topic addressed in this part of the letter is selecting and ordaining the elders (vv. 22–25).
1 Timothy 5:22-25 NIV [22] Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. [23] Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. [24] The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. [25] In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.
Let’s try to define the word or term ordain or ordination,
Ordination is a ceremony that bestows a person with a position of religious authority. It's the process by which individuals are consecrated and elevated from the laity class to the clergy.
Usually, we think of an ordination service as a ceremony in which someone is commissioned or appointed to a position within the church. Often, the ceremony involves the laying on of hands.
However, the biblical definition is a little different. The word ordain in the Bible refers to a designation; for example, Joseph was “ordained” as a ruler in Egypt.
Acts 7:9-10 NIV [9] “Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him [10] and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt. So Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.
Pastors were “ordained” in each city in Crete.
Titus 1:5 NIV [5] The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
We will talk about this is when we get to Titus.
In these cases is the mode of ordination is not specified, nor is any ceremony detailed; the “ordinations” are simply appointments.
We talked about the qualifications for the leaders several weeks ago, but the local church still needs to select and ordain them or appoint them. Here are the qualifications again.
1 Timothy 3:1-7 NIV [1] Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. [2] Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, [3] not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. [4] He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. [5] (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) [6] He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. [7] He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
Only God knows the hearts of everyone, so the church needs spiritual wisdom and guidance in selecting its officers. As we have said before it is dangerous to impulsively place a new Christian or a new church member in a place of spiritual responsibility.
Some people’s sins are clearly seen; others are able to cover their sins, for a while.
1 Timothy 5:24 NIV [24] The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them.
The good works of dedicated believers ought to be evident, even when what a person does is not done for personal advancement.
1 Timothy 5:25 NIV [25] In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.
The bottom line is that the church must carefully investigate the lives of potential leaders to make sure that there is nothing seriously wrong.
To ordain elders with sin in their lives is to partake of those sins!
1 Timothy 5:22 NIV [22] Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
For example
2 John 1:7-11 NIV [7] I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. [8] Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. [9] Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. [10] If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. [11] Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.
No pastor or church member is perfect, but that should not hinder us from striving for perfection. The ministry of a local church rises and falls with its leadership. Godly leadership means God’s blessing, and that is what we want and need.
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