Regarding their role as “rulers”, they “rule” by teaching and setting themselves forth as an example. Taken in the negative, anyone who does not labor in word and teaching does not rule well. Paul is commending and recognizing real excellence among elders who rule well as opposed to those who merely do the least amount…
1 Timothy 5:17 reads, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” The word translated “especially” (malista) is the superlative of a word translated “very much” (mala). The word, malista may also be translated “most of all” or “particularly.” In modern Greek, it…
The thought expressed in the phrase “apt to teach” suggests that the shepherd is to be skilled in teaching. According to Meyers, he is “one who possesses everything that fits him for teaching, including also the inclination or the willingness.” [1] While being “apt to teach” does not prevent others from teaching, it certainly includes…
We can learn from the little information given in the Bible concerning the method of teaching. Teaching was done through direct guidance of the Holy Spirit either through Apostles and prophets or spiritual gifts. In the context of spiritual gifts, instructions were given to Corinth about speaking in their gatherings (1 Cor. 14). If anyone…
Today, one’s view of the Holy Spirit’s work will greatly influence one’s thinking about evangelism, especially as it relates to the purpose and method of preaching. If we espouse the view that the Holy Spirit continues this work, then the work of evangelists must be explained as the intervention of the Holy Spirit in the…
private)Paul’s charge to Timothy in preaching the word was to be ready to convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching (2 Tim. 4:2). Paul is not speaking of congregational oversight for the evangelist any more than he does for the elders. God did not put me in charge of a congregation or a particular…
By the Holy Spirit, the apostles and prophets performed their work of revelation. They and the evangelists (like Philip) spread the gospel, confirmed and strengthened the souls of new saints for various lengths of time but moved on to other areas to spread the good news. It is said of them that they were “itinerant”…
If we compared the list of servants which “God has set … in the ekklesia” in 1 Cor. 12:28 and Ephesians 4:11, we will find that the apostles and prophets take first and second places respectively in each of the texts. (Cf. Chs. 2:20; 3:5). They are the first in the list because they are…
A third view of the local church leadership acknowledges the need for a decision- making body. Instead of a distinct ruling body of men over the churches, there should be a congregational rule where a consensus is the desired aim. Dale Smelser, who advocated consensus in matters of judgment, created a spark of interest in…