”The elders standing before beautifully, of double honor let them be considered worthy, especially the [ones] toiling in [the] Word and teaching.”
-Note what gets the props here. Toiling in the Word, and teaching. Now, we are all called to teach it to our sons (and daughters)(Deuteronomy 6.7), but there are those who are called to teach the assembled people of God. Elsewhere Paul makes it clear that teaching is in fact a universal calling in the body of Christ, anyone can and should teach (1Corinthians 14.26), that we are to teach and admonish one another with Psalms et al (Colossians 3.16) - and yet not all are called and gifted as Teachers (1Corinthians 12.29, Ephesians 4.11). James actually tells us that not many should aspire to be teachers (James 3.1), since that role opens said teacher up to a higher level of responsibility and accountability. But there is a clear emphasis throughout the New Testament on the importance of conveying God’s truth to God’s people, and particularly for standing before the body of Christ, the people of God, and accurately teaching them the truths of the true Word of God.
-And no small responsibility, this. The word here is to toil. To cut off strength. Work until that happens, in other words. Pour yourself out and work so hard you puke. Or maybe you’re just plain worn out by the effort. But go for it, just do it, right? Double down and persevere, put in the work, go the extra mile in your teaching. Look at the admonitions to would-be teachers - be diligent, make every effort (2Timothy 2.15). Take pains, be absorbed in, pay close attention to your teaching (1Timothy 4.15-16). The apostles devoted themselves to the ministry of the Word (Acts 6.4). They gave their time, their resources, their heart to it, they threw themselves into it with a flourish! No soft duty this. Truly, a high calling, a sacred trust, a serious undertaking, one who would stand before God’s people and instruct them in God's sacred Word.
-The complementary piece here is that God’s people should go out of their way to appreciate and honor those who do thus, who do a beautiful job of standing before them and particularly of instructing them in the Word of God (cf 1Thessalonians 5.12). Double honor. Does that mean 200%? Not necessarily. But there is this idea of appreciating those who lead us in Christ, of esteeming them highly. God’s people historically seem to be better at criticizing their leaders. We are at the ready to let them know when we are displeased. It is the perpetual season of our discontent. Our cup of disenchantment bubbleth over towards our leaders at the slightest provocation. Brothers and sisters, things should not be this way. Next verse...!
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