We Are Young and Have Lots to Learn

1 Timothy 5:17-22

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁷ Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.¹⁸ For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”¹⁹ Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. ²⁰ As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. ²¹ In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. ²²  Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

1 Timothy 5:17-22 deal with churches having their leaders abusing their authorities and needing to be rebuked. Paul begins by speaking to Timothy about how the elders who lead the church need to be cared for in compensation for their teachings. Even though much of the time, Paul would work in order to not be a financial burden to the churches he visited. But he also says it is important for the church to show their support and love for their teachers by providing basic needs for them. Paul quotes what Jesus said in Luke 10:7, "...for the laborer deserves his wages." Our elders work hard in teaching us the word of God and they deserve to be taken care of.

In verse 20, Paul says that in order for the church to hold to what the bible says, they must be able to discipline church members and church leaders who are in sin. Falling into temptation and sinning is different that continually and knowingly sinning against what we know God has said. And the church needs to handle these two different kinds of sin differently. You do not want the foundation of the church leaders to be in question due to a leader living in continual sin. We also don't want the church to be condoning such sin. We must properly handle the situation. 

So it is important for the leadership of the church to be held accountable for their actions and also to be cared for in times of need. Paul tries to make it clear that the qualification for elders need to meet. He instructed Timothy to not elect these leaders hastily but with much consideration and testing. Paul stressed these principles to Timothy so hard because Timothy was a very young church leader. As a young leader, it was difficult for Timothy to stand up against sin and remain pure. Being young leaders in today's society and culture, it is of equal importance to understand what Paul was teaching to Timothy.