“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)
Biblically, there are only two officers in a church, pastor and deacon. They are not the same. What I mean is, the deacons are not pastors and pastors are not deacons. In the King James Version, pastor, elder, and bishop all refer to the same office.
There are indeed pastors who rule well is to say the same as there are elders who rule well. However, there is no such thing as a deacon who rules well! Different offices in the church.
If you don’t like the word “rule,” understand that Paul did not mean we are to be tyrants. Compare 1 Peter 5:1-4.
Look at how the Legacy Standard Bible has translated the 1 Timothy text:
“The elders who lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor at preaching the word and teaching.” (1 Timothy 5:17, LSB)
Having established there are two and only two officers in the church and that this verse is only dealing with pastors let us consider the fact that the office of the pastor is limited to men only.
In 1 Timothy and in Titus are the qualifications of the pastor. I’ll capitalize some words for emphasis showing men are only qualified elders:
“A bishop then must be blameless, THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;” (1 Timothy 3:2, KJV)
“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.” (Titus 1:5-6, KJV)
In our text, while there are elders (pastors) who rule well, there is no such thing as a women who rule well.
In fact, to be sure there is no misunderstanding here, the Bible is clear:
“Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” (1 Timothy 2:11–12, KJV)
Also in 1 Corinthians:
“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:34-35, KJV)
You can check the Strongs. Look it up in the Lexicons. Search it out in the other translations. It says the same thing.
Women are not to be a pastor (or a deacon for that matter). Women are not to rule. Not from the pulpit, or from the pew!
I was asked on Facebook what my point was with my first post. My point is this: When a church gets out of order with their officers or their genders, there is confusion. Deacons can be a great blessing to the church. Women can be a great blessing to the church. Pastors can be a great blessing to the church. But, oh trouble comes when there is no order!