Preachers salary
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A salary, as in a regular set income? You won't find that verse. In I Corinthians 9, Paul argues that he had a right to live of the gospel. His argument is that he has a right like the Cephas and the Lord's brothers to live of the gospel and support a wife (which he did not have but apparently all or some of them did.) His evidence for this was that he was an apostle, he had seen the Lord, and he was free. (Slaves apparently did not receive wages, but Paul was free.)
So specifically, this is a passage that apostles have a right to live of the gospel. Paul argues in the passage that the Lord has ordained that they that preach the gospel should live of the gospel. If I am not mistaken, the word 'preach' there is the word from which we get evangelism. Paul was going around to synagogues and marketplaces and preaching to those who hadn't believed yet. A lot of times where 'preach' is used it is talking about this type of thing. In some modern English-speaking churches, 'preach' means to speak from behind a pulpit, or to speak loudly from behind a pulpit. Often, in the New Testament, when we come across the term, it means to give an evangelistic message.
So I Corinthians 9 argues that Paul, an apostle doing evangelistic preaching had a right to live of the gospel. He was waiving that right and explained why. The chapter is also a big of a segue on the idea of giving up your rights for the sake of your brother.
In the Reformation period, the Reformed movement renamed 'priest' or 'elder' as 'pastor.' 'Pastors' shows up in the Bible, but it is a lesser used term. 'Priest' derives from the Greek word for elder, but in English and German the word was applied to descendants of Aaron. So when it would be useful to see what the Bible says about elders in regard to compensation.
On the one hand, in Acts 20, Paul gathers the elders of Ephesus. He tells them to pastor the church of God over whom the Holy Ghost had made them bishops (overseers) in verse 28. He goes on to exhort them to follow his own example of working to support himself and the needs of others. On the other hand, if we look at I Timothy 5, Paul says that the elders who rule well are worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. He gives two sayings, do not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads the grain and the laborer is worthy of his hire.
First of all, let us consider 'honor', which is 'time' (pronouced Tea May without the English 'y' dipthong at the end of each of those words if I am not mistaken). In the Illiad, Achilles was given 'time'--honor. The commander gave him a slave girl and treasure for his feats in battle. Achilles complained about a decision and the commander took his 'honor' from him. He took the slave girl from his bed. Achilles sulked and would not fight until a man who helped raised him was killed and he wanted revenge. My point is that in Greek 'honor' could refer to a kind of compensation.
I Timothy of 5 speaks of honoring widows who are widows indeed. In Jerusalem, support for widows involved a daily distribution of food. So it could be the elders received some sort of compensation equal to widows, and those who labored well in preaching and teaching were worthy of double this. It might have taken the form of food or some other kind of material supply.
The saying, 'Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads the grain' is also used by Paul in reference to his own rights to be supported as an apostle. The other saying about a laborer being worthy of his wages is very similar to what Jesus said to His disciples when He sent them out to preach a message of repentance. They were to receive food and lodging-- imposing hospitality on an inhabitant of a city or town. They were to eat and drink because they were worthy of their due, but they were to shake off the dust of their feet to those who refused to feed and house them and they would be guilty on the day of judgment.
Galatians 6:6 says that he that is instructed in the word should share in all good things with him who teaches. The verse is not very specific, but 'all good things' might include material provision.
On supporting ministers, apparently it was the obligation of a church being visited to support an apostle while he was with them. The Macedonians sent Paul gifts and that funded him to reach Corinth. Paul told the Corinthians in II Corinthians 10 that he had robbed other churches to minister to them. I don't take this as literal robbery, but another church was fulfilling their obligation. Paul had refused support from Achaia for some reasons-- perhaps partly because of things said and his desire to protect his reputation to further the gospel, but he received support in some other places.
So specifically, this is a passage that apostles have a right to live of the gospel. Paul argues in the passage that the Lord has ordained that they that preach the gospel should live of the gospel. If I am not mistaken, the word 'preach' there is the word from which we get evangelism. Paul was going around to synagogues and marketplaces and preaching to those who hadn't believed yet. A lot of times where 'preach' is used it is talking about this type of thing. In some modern English-speaking churches, 'preach' means to speak from behind a pulpit, or to speak loudly from behind a pulpit. Often, in the New Testament, when we come across the term, it means to give an evangelistic message.
So I Corinthians 9 argues that Paul, an apostle doing evangelistic preaching had a right to live of the gospel. He was waiving that right and explained why. The chapter is also a big of a segue on the idea of giving up your rights for the sake of your brother.
In the Reformation period, the Reformed movement renamed 'priest' or 'elder' as 'pastor.' 'Pastors' shows up in the Bible, but it is a lesser used term. 'Priest' derives from the Greek word for elder, but in English and German the word was applied to descendants of Aaron. So when it would be useful to see what the Bible says about elders in regard to compensation.
On the one hand, in Acts 20, Paul gathers the elders of Ephesus. He tells them to pastor the church of God over whom the Holy Ghost had made them bishops (overseers) in verse 28. He goes on to exhort them to follow his own example of working to support himself and the needs of others. On the other hand, if we look at I Timothy 5, Paul says that the elders who rule well are worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. He gives two sayings, do not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads the grain and the laborer is worthy of his hire.
First of all, let us consider 'honor', which is 'time' (pronouced Tea May without the English 'y' dipthong at the end of each of those words if I am not mistaken). In the Illiad, Achilles was given 'time'--honor. The commander gave him a slave girl and treasure for his feats in battle. Achilles complained about a decision and the commander took his 'honor' from him. He took the slave girl from his bed. Achilles sulked and would not fight until a man who helped raised him was killed and he wanted revenge. My point is that in Greek 'honor' could refer to a kind of compensation.
I Timothy of 5 speaks of honoring widows who are widows indeed. In Jerusalem, support for widows involved a daily distribution of food. So it could be the elders received some sort of compensation equal to widows, and those who labored well in preaching and teaching were worthy of double this. It might have taken the form of food or some other kind of material supply.
The saying, 'Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads the grain' is also used by Paul in reference to his own rights to be supported as an apostle. The other saying about a laborer being worthy of his wages is very similar to what Jesus said to His disciples when He sent them out to preach a message of repentance. They were to receive food and lodging-- imposing hospitality on an inhabitant of a city or town. They were to eat and drink because they were worthy of their due, but they were to shake off the dust of their feet to those who refused to feed and house them and they would be guilty on the day of judgment.
Galatians 6:6 says that he that is instructed in the word should share in all good things with him who teaches. The verse is not very specific, but 'all good things' might include material provision.
On supporting ministers, apparently it was the obligation of a church being visited to support an apostle while he was with them. The Macedonians sent Paul gifts and that funded him to reach Corinth. Paul told the Corinthians in II Corinthians 10 that he had robbed other churches to minister to them. I don't take this as literal robbery, but another church was fulfilling their obligation. Paul had refused support from Achaia for some reasons-- perhaps partly because of things said and his desire to protect his reputation to further the gospel, but he received support in some other places.
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I think it meant food and board, but any one worth their salt deserves to be paid (back then, they were paid in salt, as thats where the term salary comes from, sal meaning salt)
Christians are meant to be salt and light. So possibly they got paid in olive oil as well. (Used to light lamps) mary anointed Jesus with some very expensive perfume. Perfume would have been essential oils, not the artifical fragrances we have today.
Christians are meant to be salt and light. So possibly they got paid in olive oil as well. (Used to light lamps) mary anointed Jesus with some very expensive perfume. Perfume would have been essential oils, not the artifical fragrances we have today.
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1. You will note that in the New Testament (NT) there was no church with a single salaried preacher/pastor/minister.
2. All NT churches had a presbytery -- a plurality of elders -- with the various spiritual gifts necessary for the ministry of the Word. Not all were necessarily compensated by the church.
3. The elders were not employees of their churches but were appointed by the apostles (and then other elders) because they had been called to their ministries from within the church. Therefore they were not hired from outside the church as employees.
4. Those who labored in the Word and in doctrine were to be compensated generously, not as a salary but as compensation for service to the Lord: Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the Word and doctrine. (1 Tim 5:17)
5. Those who were called to be evangelists were to also be compensated adequately: Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. (1 Cor 9:14)
What is customary today is far from the New Testament pattern, and preachers are hired for their theological degrees from outside the church. An employee is beholden to his employer, and that is not how God planned to compensate his servants.
Also, while Paul had every right to be financially supported, he supported himself and was not a burden to any church. Even so, he did receive financial support because he was loved by the Christians.
2. All NT churches had a presbytery -- a plurality of elders -- with the various spiritual gifts necessary for the ministry of the Word. Not all were necessarily compensated by the church.
3. The elders were not employees of their churches but were appointed by the apostles (and then other elders) because they had been called to their ministries from within the church. Therefore they were not hired from outside the church as employees.
4. Those who labored in the Word and in doctrine were to be compensated generously, not as a salary but as compensation for service to the Lord: Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the Word and doctrine. (1 Tim 5:17)
5. Those who were called to be evangelists were to also be compensated adequately: Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. (1 Cor 9:14)
What is customary today is far from the New Testament pattern, and preachers are hired for their theological degrees from outside the church. An employee is beholden to his employer, and that is not how God planned to compensate his servants.
Also, while Paul had every right to be financially supported, he supported himself and was not a burden to any church. Even so, he did receive financial support because he was loved by the Christians.
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Philippians 4:
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
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I agree with the general gist. I would also add to point 3 that it was not required that one be an elder to minister the word. Those appointed as bishop were to be 'apt to teach' which would imply that they ability before being appointed. Paul wrote of meetings where 'every one of you....hath a doctrine' and added 'Let all things be done unto edifying.' Hebrews says not to forsake the assembling of yourselves together...but exhort one another.'
Also Romans 12 commands those gifted to prophesy to do so according to the proportion of faith, those gifted to teach to teach. and those gifted to exhort to exhort.
It could have been he case that all congregations compensated elders materially. Paul did encourage them to follow his example of working with his own hands to support the weak.
The Bible does not say that one leader is to stand up and give one long sermon while everyone else is silent, and to sandwich that between congregational singing, prayer, and communion. The fact that Paul said 'Every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation' and 'Let the prophets speak two or three' and 'For ye may all prophesy...' indicates that there could be multiple speakers in a given meeting.
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1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Paul said if a person preaches God blesses them with money for their wants above their needs to withdraw yourselves from them having food and clothing be content.
For the love of money is the root of all evil for it neglects the poor and needy, and love is the fulfilling of the law.
God only blesses the saints with their needs not their wants for He loves people, and for them to be fed and clothed.
Act 20:33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
Act 20:34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
Act 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Php 4:16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
Paul only went by his needs.
Paul said a laborer for the Gospel is worthy to have their needs given to them, but Paul also would not take money at times and worked to provide his own needs to not be a burden to people, and to give an example to them to do the same if possible.
But nowhere does it state to give a salary to a preacher, but the saints should provide the needs of other saints if possible.
Act 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Act 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Act 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Act 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
Act 4:35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
The Church when it started only went by their needs, and had all things common which they shared everything, and sold all their possessions that was not a necessity, and distributed to the saints that had need which the apostles did the same, and when given the money distributed the money to the saints that had need.
The preacher should only go by their needs, and the rest of the money given to the Church is for people that have need of their physical being.
So the preacher should only go by their needs, and to help other saints with their needs, with the money that is given to the Church, and to work following the example of Paul to not burden anyone financially if possible.
Paul tried not to burden people financially by trying to supply his own needs, and not to burden the saints to supply his needs, but would take help from them for his needs at times, and at times so that it would be fruit unto them, but only his needs for he did not covet anything from them in the financial department, and did not go by his wants, but said the laborer for the Gospel is worthy to receive their necessities from the saints.
2Th 3:8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
2Th 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
But the saints are supposed to try to help each other with their needs, but Paul said if a person does not work they are not worthy to eat.
Many people get mad at people that are capable of working but instead find a way to live off the state and get their needs met that way.
The preacher should try to provide their own needs if possible, but sometimes they might have to depend on the support of the saints, but it seems like Paul does not go against preachers only receiving their needs from the saints, but it is a good example to try not to burden anyone financially if possible.
1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Paul said if a person preaches God blesses them with money for their wants above their needs to withdraw yourselves from them having food and clothing be content.
For the love of money is the root of all evil for it neglects the poor and needy, and love is the fulfilling of the law.
God only blesses the saints with their needs not their wants for He loves people, and for them to be fed and clothed.
Act 20:33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
Act 20:34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
Act 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Php 4:16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
Paul only went by his needs.
Paul said a laborer for the Gospel is worthy to have their needs given to them, but Paul also would not take money at times and worked to provide his own needs to not be a burden to people, and to give an example to them to do the same if possible.
But nowhere does it state to give a salary to a preacher, but the saints should provide the needs of other saints if possible.
Act 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Act 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Act 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Act 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
Act 4:35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
The Church when it started only went by their needs, and had all things common which they shared everything, and sold all their possessions that was not a necessity, and distributed to the saints that had need which the apostles did the same, and when given the money distributed the money to the saints that had need.
The preacher should only go by their needs, and the rest of the money given to the Church is for people that have need of their physical being.
So the preacher should only go by their needs, and to help other saints with their needs, with the money that is given to the Church, and to work following the example of Paul to not burden anyone financially if possible.
Paul tried not to burden people financially by trying to supply his own needs, and not to burden the saints to supply his needs, but would take help from them for his needs at times, and at times so that it would be fruit unto them, but only his needs for he did not covet anything from them in the financial department, and did not go by his wants, but said the laborer for the Gospel is worthy to receive their necessities from the saints.
2Th 3:8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
2Th 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
But the saints are supposed to try to help each other with their needs, but Paul said if a person does not work they are not worthy to eat.
Many people get mad at people that are capable of working but instead find a way to live off the state and get their needs met that way.
The preacher should try to provide their own needs if possible, but sometimes they might have to depend on the support of the saints, but it seems like Paul does not go against preachers only receiving their needs from the saints, but it is a good example to try not to burden anyone financially if possible.
There are no verses stating what the salary of a preacher /teacher should be..
The only scriptures that can even be related to what a servant of God should expect is the following..
1 Timothy 6: KJV
8 "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."
So food and clothing should be all we should expect while serving God..
The only scriptures that can even be related to what a servant of God should expect is the following..
1 Timothy 6: KJV
8 "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."
So food and clothing should be all we should expect while serving God..
Muzzle not the ox that treads out the corn (wheat)
A laborer is worthy of his hire
And Paul speaks to the fact that there is no comparison to be made between the physical things ministered unto Paul and the eternal spiritual truths that Paul was preaching.
Also....10% off the top went straight to the priests in the O.T.....anything above that was considered an offering!
A laborer is worthy of his hire
And Paul speaks to the fact that there is no comparison to be made between the physical things ministered unto Paul and the eternal spiritual truths that Paul was preaching.
Also....10% off the top went straight to the priests in the O.T.....anything above that was considered an offering!