1 Timothy 5:17
What does 1 Timothy 5:17 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 5:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 5:17 means
Elders who lead well are to be counted worthy of “double honor,” especially those laboring in preaching and teaching. Honor includes respect and, as the next verse shows, material support. Paul distinguishes between general ruling and the strenuous work of the Word, highlighting the church’s obligation to care for those who feed it spiritually. Good leadership is costly and should be esteemed. This is not favoritism but gratitude and justice. By honoring faithful elders, the church encourages diligent ministry, sets a pattern for aspiring leaders, and acknowledges that spiritual labor, though often unseen, is real work deserving tangible recognition.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Let rulers whose rule is good be honoured twice over, specially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The well-leading elders of double honour let them be counted worthy, especially those labouring in word and teaching,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Let the priests that rule well be esteemed worthy of double honour: especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Let the elders who take the lead [among the saints] well be esteemed worthy of double honour, specially those labouring in word and teaching;
Context
After addressing widows, Paul turns to another vulnerable group in a different way—church leaders. Verse 17 introduces the theme of honoring elders, emphasizing both governance and teaching ministries. This transitions from caring for the needy to properly valuing those who serve. The next verse will ground this honor in Scripture that affirms fair compensation for labor, connecting spiritual work with the general biblical principle of just wages before laying out processes for handling accusations and discipline.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 9:5
Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
- John 4:38
I sent you to reap that whereon ye have not labored: others have labored, and ye are entered into their labor.
- Matthew 24:25
Behold, I have told you beforehand.
- Luke 10:7
And in that same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
- Luke 10:1
Now after these things the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself was about to come.
- Acts 20:35
In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
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