1 Timothy 5:17

The elders that rule well (oi kalw proestwte presbuteroi). See verse 2 Corinthians 1 for ordinary sense of presbutero for "older man." But here of position in same sense as episkopo ( 2 Corinthians 3:2 ) as in Titus 1:5 = episkopo in verse 1 Timothy 5:7 . Cf. Luke's use of presbutero ( Acts 20:17 ) = Paul's episkopou ( Acts 20:28 ). Proestwte is second perfect active participle of proisthmi (intransitive use) for which see Acts 3:4 . Let be counted worthy (axiousqwsan). Present passive imperative of axiow, to deem worthy ( 2 Thessalonians 1:11 ). With genitive case here. Of double honour (diplh timh). Old and common contract adjective (diploo, two-fold, in opposition to aploo, single fold). But why "of double honour"? See 2 Thessalonians 6:1 for "of all honour." White suggests "remuneration" rather than "honour" for timh (a common use for price or pay). Liddon proposes "honorarium" (both honour and pay and so "double"). Wetstein gives numerous examples of soldiers receiving double pay for unusual services. Some suggest twice the pay given the enrolled widows. Especially those who labour in word and teaching (malista oi kopiwnte en logwi kai didaskaliai). Either those who work hard or toil (usual meaning of kopiaw, 2 Timothy 2:6 ) in preaching and teaching (most probable meaning. See verse 1 Timothy 5:18 ) or those who teach and preach and not merely preside (a doubtful distinction in "elders" at this time). See Titus 1:8 . See both kopiaw and proistamai used for same men (elders) in 1 Thessalonians 5:12 and the use of kopiaw in 1 Corinthians 15:10 ; 1 Corinthians 16:16 .