Response:

I believe Paul is referring to money when he speaks of double honor. The word used there means "to fix value, to revere". I think it does carry a financial aspect because of its use in 5:3. Paul there is not instructing Timothy to respect widows. He is telling him to provide for their needs. That is why the honor was given only to "widows indeed"; in other words, widows who had no one else to help them, as opposed to those in verse 4 that had children or nephews to help meet their needs. Verse 8 shows the obligation of people to provide for their families, and the context is not children, but rather parents. Therefore, "honor" in verse 3 must refer to finances.

If honor refers to finances in verse 3, it must contextually refer to finances in verse 17. Elders who rule well are worthy of "double honor". I think this implies that even elders who are not doing an great job deserve to at least have their needs met, and those who are laboring in the Word and doctrine should receive more. Verse 18 says that the labourer is worthy of his reward. So, if a man is going to serve a church as a pastor, the church should at least see to it that his basic needs are met, just as they see to it that the widows' needs are met. If the pastor leads well, and teaches well, it is not wrong for the church to give him more: in fact they should do it. If he is treading out the corn, he should get to eat from that which he is accomplishing.

By Dr Mark Montgomery Ambassador Baptist Church 1926 Babcock Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15209 (412)477-3210