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1 Timothy 5:17-19
New Catholic Bible
1 Timothy 5:17-19
New Catholic Bible
17 Presbyters.[a] Presbyters who do their duty well should be considered deserving of a double honor,[b] especially those who labor at preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “A worker deserves his wages.”[c]
19 Never accept any accusation brought against a presbyter except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
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- 1 Timothy 5:17 Presbyters do not seem to be on the same level as the bishops (i.e., “overseers”) mentioned earlier (1 Tim 3:1-7), although they preside at the Liturgy and explain the Scriptures. This fact seems to pave the way for the monarchical episcopate that developed in the Church during the second and third centuries. The poverty required of his ministers by Christ does not prevent the Gospel workers from earning a living by their labor, even though Paul himself has always refused to accept any assistance. But anyone who has the desire to serve the Church must have shown to be a serious Christian. The responsibility for the community must not be conferred lightly on anyone.
Paul then places his full attention on his favorite disciple (v. 23). - 1 Timothy 5:17 Double honor: i.e., respect and an honorarium for their labor.
- 1 Timothy 5:18 Both citations (Deut 25:4 and Lk 10:7) are called “Scripture.” This shows that whatever portions of the New Testament were available at the time were already regarded as equal to the Old Testament in authority.
