Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
The elders that rule well (oi kalwv proestwtev presbuteroi). See verse I Timothy 5:1 for ordinary sense of presbuterov for "older man." But here of position in same sense as episkopov (I Timothy 3:2) as in Titus 1:5 = episkopov in verse I Timothy 5:7. Cf. Luke's use of presbuterov (Acts 20:17) = Paul's episkopouv (Acts 20:28). Proestwtev is second perfect active participle of proisthmi (intransitive use) for which see I Timothy 3:4.
Let be counted worthy (aciousqwsan). Present passive imperative of aciow, to deem worthy (II Thessalonians 1:11). With genitive case here.
Of double honour (diplhv timhv). Old and common contract adjective (diploov, two-fold, in opposition to aploov, single fold). But why "of double honour"? See I Timothy 6:1 for "of all honour." White suggests "remuneration" rather than "honour" for timhv (a common use for price or pay). Liddon proposes "honorarium" (both honour and pay and so "double"). Wetstein gives numerous examples of soldiers receiving double pay for unusual services. Some suggest twice the pay given the enrolled widows.
Especially those who labour in word and teaching (malista oi kopiwntev en logw kai didaskaliai). Either those who work hard or toil (usual meaning of kopiaw, II Timothy 2:6) in preaching and teaching (most probable meaning. See verse I Timothy 5:18) or those who teach and preach and not merely preside (a doubtful distinction in "elders" at this time). See Titus 1:8 f. See both kopiaw and proistamai used for same men (elders) in I Thessalonians 5:12 and the use of kopiaw in I Corinthians 15:10; I Corinthians 16:16.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing 1 Timothy 5:17:
1 Timothy 5:19
1 Peter 5:5
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