What Does 1 Timothy 5:17 Mean in the King James?

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

1 Timothy 5:17 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

“Honour” here carries material worth as well as esteem, and the next verse makes that worth concrete as wages.

THE MEANING

Those who lead well are worthy of substantial regard. Those who labor in the word and teaching receive particular honor, with the surrounding passage connecting that honor to material support as well as respect.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that honor can remain merely verbal: here honor is counted as worth, and the next verse names wages.

THE ROOT

τιμή

timē

GROWS FROM

τιμ-

tim-

value, price, worth, esteem

English “honour” can sound like esteem alone, but ⁨τιμή⁩ (timē, value or price) also names material worth. The verse holds regard and tangible value together in one word; the following verse makes that material edge explicit by calling the laborer worthy of wages.

ALSO GROWS

timaō: To honor or assign value.

τιμάω

This verb shows honor as recognizing someone’s worth, not just expressing admiration.

timios: Precious, valuable, held in honor.

τίμιος

This adjective shows the same word-family describing what bears high value.

THE PATTERN

Those who labor for a community’s good are to share in its provision and receive public esteem.

Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.

Deuteronomy 25:4 · KJVThe worker is not cut off from the provision produced by its labor.

And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

Luke 10:7 · KJVThe work of the laborer is directly joined to the right to receive provision.

Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

1 Corinthians 9:14 · KJVThose who serve by proclaiming the gospel are to receive their living through that work.

THE THREAD

For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

1 Timothy 5:18 · KJV

“Be counted worthy” in this verse and “worthy” in the next come from the same Greek word-family: ⁨ἀξιόω⁩ (axioō, to deem worthy) and ⁨ἄξιος⁩ (axios, worthy). The next line gives that worth a concrete measure: the laborer receives wages.

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