1 Timothy 5:11-21 (and vss. 22-25), especially vs. 17: "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine." As we said yesterday, each of the four readings this week from First Timothy addresses the status and needs of a particular group or class of persons within the Church. In the present reading the Apostle instructs us concerning "elders," those who today are called Priests and provide the on-site, pastoral work of the Church for our Bishops.
Last week, in reading the earlier chapters of this Epistle, we observed that the Apostle at that point in his letter did not mention the Presbyters or Elders. At the same time, we noted that the earliest organization of the ordained ministry had a different appearance from the pattern we are accustomed to today. Now, toward the end of his letter, speaking still from the context of the early Church, St. Paul offers counsel concerning the Presbyters (i.e., Priests). Let us note his wise principles, advice which, as ever, still is applicable in the Church today.
Originally, Pastors of each local congregation appear to have been Bishops, worthy men appointed by the Apostles (1 Tim. 3:1-7). From the records we have, it appears that as the Church grew, there soon came to be multiple congregations of the Faithful in different neighborhoods, but under a single Bishop. The Bishops began to assign Elders (Presbyters) to carry on their pastoral work in the subsidiary, outlying congregations. The growth of the Church led from such temporary assignments to the actual development of dioceses as we understand them today. In the era during which First Timothy was written, elders still were a "board" of ordained men, mostly at one locale, who assisted the Bishop in "word and doctrine" (vs. 17). The ordained Deacons, in that period, handled the management of money and other material assets.
However such pastoral helpers have been named throughout history - Presbyters, Elders, Priests, Pastors - today, as in St. Paul's day, a man who serves in this capacity with a local congregation "is worthy of his wages" (vs. 18). The need for fair and adequate compensation has not changed. If there is a need that remains outstanding in the modern Church, it is adequate compensation for our pastors, for these are the leaders who give up much of their time with their own families to serve the Family of God. Like all of us, they and their families have expenses.
Another issue that arose even in St. Paul's day was accusations against Presbyters. It is so easy to criticize a Pastor! After all, much of what he does is not seen: preparation for services and teaching, counseling, Confessions, teaching, organizational meetings, community relations, diocesan responsibilities, Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals, and a host of other details.
The Apostle becomes very explicit in cautioning against negative remarks concerning the clergy: "Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses" (vs. 19). When matters reach the point where there are witnesses with specific charges about violated morals or the Church's teaching, then it is time for the Bishop to intervene. However, gossip and whispering about the clergy serves only to degrade fellowship within the Church.
When there are problems, it is the Bishops' task to rule on such matters. Our hierarchs are to "observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality" (vs. 21). This requires our Bishops to be careful in the first place about ordination, not to "lay hands on anyone hastily" and so to "share in other people's sins" (vs. 22). Likewise let us not fault our Bishops when the clergy fail the Church, for neither are all sins nor all good works plainly evident, and our chief Pastors have much to sort through in the relations between parishes and their Pastors.
Bless, O Lord, our Bishops, the venerable Priesthood, the Diaconate and all the clergy.