16 [a]If any faithful man or faithful woman have widows, let them minister unto them, and let not the Church be charged, that there may be sufficient for them that are widows indeed.

17 [b]The Elders that rule well, let them be had in [c]double honor, [d]specially they which labor in the word and doctrine.

18 For the Scripture saith, (A)Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn: and, (B)The laborer is worthy of his wages.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 5:16 The sixth rule: Let the faithful help their widows at their own charges as much as they can, and let not the Congregation be burdened with these expenses.
  2. 1 Timothy 5:17 Now he giveth rules, and showeth how he ought to behave himself with the Elders, that is to say, with the Pastors and such as have the governance in the discipline of the Church, which is president of their company. The first rule: Let the Church or Congregation see unto this especially, as God himself hath commanded, that the Elders that do their duty well, be honestly maintained.
  3. 1 Timothy 5:17 We must be more careful for them, than for the rest.
  4. 1 Timothy 5:17 There were two kinds of Elders, the one attended upon the government only, and looked to the manners of the Congregation; the other did beside that, attend upon preaching and prayers, to and for the Congregation.

16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.(A)

17 The elders(B) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,(C) especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”[a](D) and “The worker deserves his wages.”[b](E)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 5:18 Deut. 25:4
  2. 1 Timothy 5:18 Luke 10:7