Click here to download in pdf format.
Sermon Notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (16-9-1979 Strandtown Baptist Church)
Last time, we left out a section of chapter 5 which returned to the responsibilities of the elders within the church, and their remuneration, treatment and appointment. “Rewards and Rebukes” would be a convenient title for this passage.
The elders who direct the
affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose
work is preaching and teaching (1 Timothy 5:17). This implies a distinction
within the eldership. The elders were there to rule, i.e. to superintend
pastoral responsibilities. They were the spiritual leaders, whose main concern
was the spiritual welfare and growth in the church. They were to be able to
teach, though not necessarily publicly. But within their ranks were those whose
special task was to “labour in the word and doctrine” (A.V.). They were the
chief teachers who carried out the public ministry of the Word.
Note that there is always a
plurality of elders, more than one man, sharing the leadership in the church.
This is crucial for the church’s well being. One man has just not got all the
gifts and talents to undertake the leadership and do the job properly. There is
great advantage in having one man with the gifts of a teacher and fully trained
in theology etc assuming the main work of teaching, but side-by-side with others
who share the burden of pastoral oversight, with whom the ministering elder can
consult and pray, and by whom he can be restrained, even rebuked if necessary.
This is the ideal situation – a shared ministry.
Most commentators agree that
“honour” in this verse refers to support and remuneration. The whole context
here suggests financial help. A “double honour” suggests ample and generous
provision. Preaching and teaching requires time and effort in preparation, and
if a man’s whole life is given to it, it is crucial that he be supported by
those he leads. It would show a lack of honour if a church expected a man to
devote himself entirely to this spiritual work gratis. Whilst the elder is not
to a lover of money (1 Timothy 3:3), he still needs some! Failure in this realm
is serious. “Some church members forget this. They are prone to believe that
overseers live on Easy Street, and if any honour is to be bestowed it should be
by means of the funeral sermon. Is it surprising that so many ministers suffer
nervous breakdowns?” [Author unknown] Indeed no man can put in his best work
if he has to drag himself out of a harassed existence.
There is support for this case elsewhere in Scripture. Paul quotes from Deuteronomy 25:4 and Luke 10:7. For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." (1 Timothy 5:18). The ox is to be left unmuzzled, able to eat as much as it wants off the floor, as a reward for the work it does, just as the harder a man works, the more he deserves. Christianity has nothing to do with soft and sentimental ethic which clamours for equal shares for all. The reward for a man should be in proportion to his toil. In quoting Scripture, divine sanction underlies the principle of fair provision for those who serve the church.
Do not entertain an
accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses (1
Timothy 5:19). It is of the utmost importance to safeguard innocent men from
false accusations, hence the Jewish law that there must be agreement of two
witnesses before a man could be formally charged (Deuteronomy 19:15). So, in the
church, leaders and elders could easily be victims of the slanderous and
malicious tongues of those whom they have had to rebuke in the past. Unfounded
malicious talk can do infinite damage and heartbreak in a church.
But if the elder is proven to
have sinned, then they must be publicly rebuked so that others can learn a
necessary lesson. Public rebukes have their place, c.f. the effect on Israel of
Achan’s sin, and the effect on the early church of Ananias and Sapphira’s
punishment. Sin is not to be condoned, even in the leaders of the church.
Timothy had to show no favouritism and prejudice in his work over the churches.
What harm is done when some people are treated as if they could do no wrong, and
others as if they could do no right.
When Timothy was faced with dealing with accusations, he had to be unbiased, face all the facts, make all allowances, and be just in awarding penalties, whoever or whatever the accused may be. No matter whose name is tarnished, God’s name must be honoured. The church must never give the impression that sin is to be condoned.
Do not be hasty in the laying
on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure (1
Timothy 5:22). Undue haste in putting unworthy men into office would cause havoc
to the cause of Christ. People need to give proof of their worthiness and
ability to lead the church. No man should ever start at the top. This is
especially important in a church, because a man in high office has the potential
to discredit not only himself, but also the whole church. In a critical world,
the church cannot be too careful in choosing the leaders for the work.
In v24-25, Paul points out that
some candidates for leadership have such plainly bad characters that unfitness
for the job is apparent from the beginning, but in others, their unfitness is
revealed later. The same can be true of suitable candidates. Some are plainly
fit at first sight, and others are found to be fit after there has been time to
look below the surface.
Therefore beware of making a false estimate of men – of being falsely favourable or falsely unfavourable. Leaders must be carefully and wisely chosen. Hasty action relies on first impressions, and these can be deceptive.
Amidst the affairs of the church
and the problems of administration, Paul slips in a little bit of loving advice
to Timothy about his health. Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine
because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses (1 Timothy 5:23). Not
all Jews drank wine, e.g. those who took the Nazarite vow, and the Rechabites in
the time of Jeremiah. From his Jewish mother, Timothy may have inherited this
strict and ascetic way of living. But for the sake of his health, Paul advises
him to use wine. The water in the Orient was far from safe, and dysentery from
drinking unboiled water was common. Timothy was prone to stomach troubles and
related ailments, perhaps through contaminated water. Wine would help him
physically – taken as a medicine, not as a beverage. Note that even in the age
of miraculous healings, ordinary medical treatments were used.
Note also the stress on a healthy body, not a neglected body. Never be too busy to look after your health. A tired and neglected body affects spiritual life and zest. We ought to do the Lord’s work as well as we can, and therefore we need to be physically fit. “A healthy mind in a healthy body” is an old Roman ideal. It should be the Christian ideal too.
Elders were to be honoured, and treated scrupulously fairly. They were to be appointed with great discretion. And finally – a little wine.
