With Honor Comes Accountability: Supporting and Holding Elders

The passage from First Timothy 5:17–25 issues clear, practical instruction for the local church about honor, accountability, and stewardship. Scripture exhorts the church to count elders who “rule well” worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching, and grounds that obligation in biblical illustrations of feeding the laborer and paying wages. The text then lays out safeguards for church discipline: do not receive an accusation against an elder without two or three witnesses; if an elder persists in unrepentant sin, rebuke him publicly so other leaders will take warning; and avoid partiality when applying these rules. The epistle also warns against hastily authorizing men to leadership—“do not lay hands suddenly on anyone”—and urges patient testing because many sins or virtues reveal themselves only over time.

The argument moves from corporate responsibility to individual stewardship. The church must invest financially and relationally in those who preach and teach so they can be fed, focused, and fruitful for eternal good. At the same time, safeguarding the congregation requires just, impartial discipline that protects the flock from slander and protects truth from being compromised. Patient evaluation of candidates for eldership protects both the church’s witness and the candidates themselves, since hidden sins or hidden virtues will surface with careful observation.

The text frames all these actions before the heavenly tribunal—God, Christ, and the angels—making accountability a spiritual duty, not a pragmatic convenience. The cross itself expresses how God combines justice and mercy, and that realism about sin undergirds the call to repentant restoration. The church’s investment in godly teaching counts as eternal stewardship: support faithful teachers, hold leaders to Scripture’s standards, and authorize new leaders only after sustained, careful evaluation so the gospel remains the church’s shaping power.

---

Key Takeaways

• 1. Honor elders through faithful support The church must fund and sustain those who labor in preaching and teaching so they can focus on the word. Financial and relational care frees teachers from distracting chores, increases fruitfulness, and recognizes ministry as stewardship with eternal return. Support serves both church health and gospel advance by prioritizing God’s revealed means of growth. [37:55]
• 2. Protect leaders from false accusation Guardrails require multiple witnesses and careful examination before receiving charges against an elder. Protecting reputation prevents slander from destroying ministries while preserving the ability to act decisively when wrongdoing proves true. This balance honors truth, prevents mob judgment, and preserves the gospel’s credibility. [51:11]
• 3. Authorize leaders after patient testing Avoid hasty ordination; time reveals both hidden sins and genuine fruit. Patient evaluation values character over credentials and treats leadership as partnership, not merely an appointment. This diligence prevents grievous harm and preserves the congregation’s witness. [34:55]
• 4. Invest in preaching for eternal fruit Giving to the ministry of the word is an investment that yields present godliness and eternal fruit. Funding teachers buys focused study, faithful proclamation, and long-term discipleship that shapes lives for heaven. Such stewardship aligns earthly resources with kingdom priorities. [42:27]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [18:33] - Only a Holy God reminder
• [19:46] - Hospitality and fellowship
• [20:48] - Introducing First Timothy study
• [21:40] - Honor brings accountability
• [22:01] - Greater knowledge means greater duty
• [26:50] - Church practices and resources
• [31:00] - Elders worthy of double honor
• [33:01] - Accusation, rebuke, and justice
• [37:04] - Three practical applications
• [42:27] - Invest in preaching’s eternal fruit
• [68:28] - Patient testing for new elders
• [81:47] - Final charge to obey

Bible reading
1 Timothy 5:17–25 (ESV)
*Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 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. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.*

---

Observation questions

1. According to 1 Timothy 5:17, what two groups of elders are specifically mentioned as worthy of "double honor," and what does the context suggest this honor includes?
2. What two Old Testament principles does Paul use to support the instruction about supporting elders?
3. What specific safeguards does Paul give regarding accusations against an elder?
4. What reason is given for publicly rebuking an elder who persists in sin?

Interpretation questions

1. Why do you think Paul emphasizes impartiality and the presence of God, Christ, and the angels when giving instructions about handling accusations and discipline?
2. How does the command to "not be hasty in the laying on of hands" connect to the statement that some sins and good works are not immediately obvious?
3. The sermon stated that supporting those who labor in the word is an investment in "eternal good" [42:27]. What does this mean, and how does it change the way a church views financial giving?
4. How does the biblical model of holding leaders accountable balance the need to protect them from slander with the need to protect the church from unrepentant sin?

Application questions

1. Investing in the ministry of the word is an investment that yields present godliness and eternal fruit [42:27]. In what specific, practical ways can you personally participate in this investment, whether through giving, prayer, or other means?
2. The instruction to not receive an accusation against an elder without multiple witnesses is a guardrail against gossip and slander. How can you apply this principle of requiring evidence in your own relationships when you hear negative information about others?
3. Patient evaluation of character is required before authorizing new leaders because time reveals both hidden sins and genuine fruit [34:55]. How can you practice this kind of patient, character-focused evaluation in your own life when choosing friends, mentors, or even whom you admire from a distance?
4. The charge to do nothing from partiality is given before God, Christ, and the angels. Is there any situation in your life—at work, in your family, or in the church—where you are tempted to show favoritism? What would it look like to repent of that and pursue impartiality?
5. The public rebuke of an unrepentant elder is meant to cause other leaders to fear [33:30]. How does a healthy "fear" of the consequences of sin actually protect us and lead to greater holiness?
6. The church is called to be a partner in the ministry of the elders it authorizes [01:08:42]. What does this partnership look like for you personally? How does it affect your prayers, your engagement with sermons, and your relationship with your pastors?
7. Hiding sin never leads to prosperity, but confessing and forsaking it leads to mercy [01:16:35]. Is there any sin you are currently hiding or minimizing? What is one step you can take this week to bring it into the light and find mercy?