Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
Timothy 5:17 mentions two major roles of a elder. One role is of a ruler and another role as a laborer of the word and doctrine . A elder can do both roles, but this scripture highlights that not all did both roles.
The elders who rule was responsible for the church administrations. The business side of the church. This role was more in the background compare to the role of laboring in the word and doctrine.
The elders who laborer in the word and doctrine was teachers and preachers. The word was of course the Holy Scriptures, while the doctrine was teaching of the Holy Scriptures. This role was more visual in compare to the role of the church rulers.
The elder who had the role of teaching and preaching became the face of the church because they was MORE visual then then the elder that had the role of administrator.
The elder who had the role of teaching became MORE known then then the elder that had the role of administrator. Eventually the elder who had the role of teaching and preaching became know as minister because they was ministering to the people.
More focus became to rest on the minister causing a elevation over the elder who had the role of administrator.
Over time the minister also became the administrator and the term elder slowly disappeared. Now the minister was the rule the church and laborer in the word and doctrine. Today you can recognize this combine roles as the office of pastor.
Of course the term elder is still use in many church denominations, but with each different denomination the role of elder varies.
I hope you have enjoyed these notes from our study.
God Bless You,
Elder Jerome A. McGhee, Pastor
McGhee's Family Christian Ministries
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