In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Paul instructs us to know those who labor among us and are over us and admonish us. He adds that we are to esteem them very highly for their work’s sake.
1 Thess. 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.
In 1 Timothy 5:17, Paul speaks of elders who rule well and directs that special regard be given to those who rule well and labor in word and doctrine.
1 Tim. 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
Putting together the ideas that he sets forth in these two passages, the elders who are over us and labor in word and doctrine should receive special esteem for their work’s sake, esteem that would be greater than what is shown to those who do not do so.
Three considerations strengthen this understanding. We see that Paul uses the same verb for labor in both passages (kopiaw) to speak of those who labor. He uses parallel ideas of those who are over us and those who rule well. He speaks of those who admonish, which those who labor in word and doctrine would be the foremost ones to engage in such ministry.
I believe that a comparison of these two passages that have several links between them supports the understanding that we should give special esteem and honor to those who are over us and labor in word and doctrine to admonish us, etc.
I have never once in my life used just the first name of any of the senior pastors that I have had. I believe that speaking of them and to them as “Pastor” gives honor to whom honor is due.
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