“What is the difference between “double honor” and “double pay” in different versions of 1 Timothy 5:17?”

QUESTION: What is the difference between “double honor” and “double pay” in different versions of 1 Timothy 5:17?

ANSWER: These different renderings of the same Greek expression illustrate a danger in translation work: it is easy for a translator to introduce his own contemporary understanding and ideas into the text that he is translating. Thus it is vital for one who translates God’s Word to have spiritual discernment along with technical expertise in the fields of biblical languages, customs of Bible times and related areas.

God’s Word is extremely careful in its wording. God is not content just to give general guidelines, but He is specific in the words He chooses to use. The very words of Scripture are inspired of God. In Galatians 3:16 we see that even the fact of a word being singular or plural is vitally significant. While Bible paraphrases and dynamic equivalence translations like Today’s English Version are useful, they have definite limitations when it comes to detailed, thorough Bible study.

Nowhere does the New Testament indicate that those who served the Lord in the spiritual care of Christian assemblies ever functioned on a salaried basis. The Philippian saints sent a financial gift to the apostle Paul several times (Phil. 4:15,18). Yet this does not appear to have been the general pattern of support for the apostles and other Christian workers. Paul speaks of having supported himself and even his fellow-laborers by the labor of his hands (Acts 20:34). While defending the right of one serving the Lord to be supported in this service by his fellow-believers, he makes clear to the Corinthians that he had not availed himself of this right (1 Cor. 9:11-15).

Peter is horrified at Simon the sorcerer’s attempt to purchase the power to convey the Holy Spirit and strongly denounces his effort (Acts 8:18-23). Later he exhorts elders to carry out their service readily, not for base gain (1 Pet. 5:2). Neither elders nor deacons are to seek gain by base means; they should not even be fond of money (Tit. 1:7; 1 Tim. 3:3,8). In 3 John 5-8, the writer speaks of those who had gone forth “for the name,” saying that we “ought to receive such as fellow-workers with the truth.” Christ’s servants are to depend solely upon their Master for their support. Yet Christians are taught to share materially with those who help them spiritually (Gal. 6:6). Such is the New Testament pattern.

In answering this question, I have checked word studies plus more than twenty translations and versions of the New Testament, in English and other languages. Most of these translations use the term “double honor.” Those few that render it double “compensation,” “stipend,” “pay,” etc. are either paraphrases or lean strongly to dynamic equivalence, which is the attempt to say in today’s language what the translator feels the original passage meant.

All of us, including translators, are influenced by customs and practices we know and are accustomed to. Yet we must bend to the Bible’s concepts, not bend them to ours. It is common today for spiritual leaders to be salaried for their work. Just as the word alma – translated “virgin” in Isaiah 7:14 – can also be translated “young woman,” so it is possible to translate the Greek expression here “double pay.” However, the better translation is “double honor.” Nor would this exclude helping to meet financial needs of such elders. Indeed, the next verse implies this strongly. For how can we “double honor” a faithful elder without considering his needs! But “double honor” is the best expression here and most consistent with the Bible’s basic teaching already mentioned in the passages cited above.

By Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.