Pastors and Teachers

Yes, of course, why should they not be paid for their labor, when you get paid for yours? The Levites and priests in the O.T. were compensated 120% of average income in Israel for their work in the tabernacle and temple. Great men like Hezekiah and Nehemiah encouraged them in their work by making sure they were paid (II Chron 31:4; Neh 13:10-14). Jesus Christ has ordained that gospel ministers or pastors are to be supported full-time and better if they are diligent and faithful (I Cor 9:6-14; Gal 6:6; I Tim 4:13-16; 5:17-18; II Tim 2:4). If a church does not follow this apostolic ordinance, they are disorderly and will reap the results of pitiful preaching (Pr 14:4; I Tim 4:13-16).

Are you suggesting a contradiction in the Bible? Did Paul contradict what he taught about ministerial support in I Cor 9:6-14; Gal 6:6; I Tim 5:17-18? Consider five factors. First, Paul was inspired and did not have to study like ordinary men (II Tim 2:15). Second, Paul was supported by churches (Phil 4:15-18). Third, Paul did not have expenses of a wife and family, true of most pastors (I Tim 3:1-5). Fourth, Paul had the complete authority and right to demand compensation and living expenses (I Cor 9:1-12). Fifth, the reason he did not was one reason only – to be an example to a lazy church (II Thess 3:6-14) and a stingy church (I Cor 9:15-18). Therefore, the ordinance of Jesus still stands – pastors are supported full time (I Cor 9:1-14).

Paul wrote those words to Timothy, the first bishop of the church at Ephesus (see the subscript for II Tim 4:22). Three books of the New Testament were written to pastors, so they are called the Pastoral Epistles, I and II Timothy and Titus. The specific context of the words is those called to preach the word (II Tim 4:2), Jesus Christ’s bishops-pastors-teachers, all synonyms. Are all in the church called to teach? No (I Cor 12:28-31)! God gave the Bible primarily to the men He chose and called to be teachers, no matter what testament you check (Deut 17:8-12; Ezra 7:6; Neh 8:1-8; Mal 2:7; Titus 1:5-9). Studying the Bible the way Jesus Christ ordained is a full-time job that cannot tolerate any distractions (I Tim 4:13-16; II Tim 2:4,15).

Yes, we do. Please see the link immediately below that contains a variety of short essays with full scriptural support to help the man of God be all that he should be in serving His Lord and others in these perilous times of the last days.

See Also

Ministerial handbook with essays for ministerial perfection: Rules for Ministers.