The first problem tackled with regard to the elders is that of the support they get from the church. This is especially crucial for elders who rule well. The verb for rule is more properly rendered “to guide, to direct, to lead,” and it is the component of leadership that is focused on in many translations (in addition to Good News Translation compare New English Bible “who do well as leaders,” Jerusalem Bible “who do their work well while they are in charge,” Phillips “with a gift of leadership,” Contemporary English Version “who do their job well”).

Such elders should be worthy of double honor. Worthy describes something or someone as deserving of recognition because of merit, value, or worth. Double honor literally translates the Greek, and some translations retain this literal rendition (in addition to Revised Standard Version, see also New Revised Standard Version and New International Version); in the present context it probably refers to, or at least includes, monetary matters (compare the modern term “honorarium”). Many translations in fact make this information explicit; for example, Good News Translation “receiving double pay,” New English Bible “double stipend.” The problem related to this is to determine what “double pay” is related to. Does this mean that they should receive twice as much as they are receiving now, or twice as much as some other leaders are receiving (for example, the widows, or elders who are not engaged in the preaching or teaching ministry)? A third option is to interpret double honor as “twofold honor,” that is, these elders get the “first” honor and respect that go with their office and function, and at the same time get appropriate remuneration as the “second” form of honor (compare Phillips “worthy of respect, and of adequate salary”). This latter model is a good one. Similar ways of expressing double honor, then, are “worthy of receiving respect and adequate pay” or “the Christians should give high respect to them and pay them well.” Alternative translation models for this initial sentence are “Any leader of a group of Christians (or, believers) who does his work well should be considered worthy of receiving proper honor and adequate pay” or “A group of Christians (or, A church) which has a leader who guides them well should consider that leader worthy of receiving proper respect and adequate pay.”

This special consideration should be given especially to those elders who are engaged in the preaching and teaching ministry, which means that there were elders at that time who were involved in things other than preaching or teaching; for example, administration and pastoral care. In a young and developing church, preaching and teaching are of course primary. Labor can also be rendered as “work hard” (Good News Translation), “toil.” In this context it probably refers to the performance of specific functions and can be rendered “especially those whose task is…” or “especially those who are assigned to….” Preaching translates the Greek word logos (literally “word”), which has a variety of usage in the New Testament: “message,” “speech,” “the gospel.” In the present context logos does not have the article and most probably refers to the act of proclaiming the message, both to believers and more importantly to nonbelievers. This is contrasted to teaching or Christian nurture, which is directed at believers, making clear to them what Christians should believe and the implications of their faith for their lives. The teaching ministry is perhaps carried out in catechetical classes that are established especially for new believers. See 4.13 on preaching and teaching.

An alternative translation model for this verse is:
• A group of believers (or, A church) should consider the elder (or, church leader) who guides them well as worthy of receiving respect and adequate pay. This especially refers to those leaders who work hard at teaching and preaching.

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .