Elders

Part 2 - Two Offices or One?

Here is the quote: "Ruling elders and teaching elders or pastors are two classifications within the same office." The question has to do with using 1 Timothy 5:17 as a basis for this statement. I'll respond with three points.

First, using the terms class or classification in no way suggests superiority or inferiority. The words may have this connotation. However, as used here, the specific denotation is simply that of men grouped together because if their similar callings. I refer to the root of the Greek word standing behind the English. The broad category is elder. The classifications within the broad category are teaching and ruling.

Second, the question arising is simple. Does 1Timothy 5:17 support this view of the eldership? "The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching." The answer hinges on the use of the adverb especially, in Greek, ma,lista. The New Testament uses the word twelve times. Paul uses the term eight times in his letters. I'll give three typical examples.

Paul asks Timothy, "When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books [scrolls], especially the parchments" (2 Timothy 4:13). There were two types of scrolls, parchment, animal skin, and papyrus, manufactured from papyrus the plant. The broad category is scroll. The two classifications, types, are parchment and papyrus. Paul sought the parchment scrolls.

Paul exhorts, "So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith" (Galatians 6:10). Within the broad category of all people there is a classification denoted the household of faith. Within humankind there are two classes of people, believers and unbelievers.

Paul declares, "For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision" (Titus 1:10). Among the whole lot of unbelievers, the category of rebellious men, there is a separate classification, the circumcision.

We say the same thing regarding 1 Timothy 5:17. The general category is elder. There are two types of elder, ruling and teaching.

Third, the debate is between what we know as the two-office view and the three-office view. That is, some maintain there are two offices within the church, elder and deacon. Within the office of elder, there are ruling elders and teaching elders. This is the official position of the RPCNA. See Form of Government, Chapter 3. Others maintain there are three separate and distinct offices, Pastors [teaching elders], Elders [ruling elders], and deacons. The difficulty arises when we try to push two hard in one direction or the other. In one case the special teaching and preaching function of the trained pastor is submerged. Some persons refuse to call their teaching elder their pastor. See form of Government, Chapter 3, Section II. The opposite danger is to exalt the pastor so that ruling elders become, not a different class or type of elder, but second class elders. Paul's words in 1 Timothy 5:17 warrant neither position.