Hello! Im writing up a short exposition of why we should have paid ministers and was wondering if any Jehovahs Witnesses would mind reading over it and critiquing it. As a Mormon, I agree with the WTBTS when it rejects having a paid clergy (jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20030801/received-free-give-free/ ; jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/no-paid-clergy/). My main goal is to better understand the arguments against a paid clergy. Thanks for your time! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Should we have paid ministers or not? Passages of contention: 1 Corinthians 9:1-19 and 1 Timothy 5:17-18 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Corinthians 9:1-19 1 Corinthians 9: 1-6 - Paul begins chapter 9 by defending his claim to apostleship against those in the church of Corinth who would challenge him. Paul says that he is in a position to claim his rights to being supported by the congregation (verses 4-6). Paul asks Have we not power to eat and to drink? (4) and Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? (5) and Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? (6). Paul asks these rhetorical questions to set his point that will come later in the chapter. 1 Corinthians 9: 7 - Paul draws a connection between a minister preaching the Gospel and watching over the congregation and not being sustained by the congregation with a soldier going to war on his own dime (7a), a man who plants a vineyard but doesnt get to eat the fruit (7b ; see Deut. 20:6), and a man with goats who doesnt use the milk (7c). The idea that 7a is about material/monetary compensation may be supported by cross referencing to 2 Cor. 10:4 and Luke 3:14. The greek word for wages (ὀψωνίοις - opsōniois) in Luke 3:14 is also the same word for charges in 1 Cor. 9:7a. 1 Corinthians 9:8 - Paul continues to add support for his argument by drawing from the Law of Moses. 1 Corinthians 9:9-10 - Paul exegetes Deut. 25:4 (Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.). Paul says that this verse doesnt just have to do with just the good of the oxen, but for the good of man. There is also a cross reference to 1 Timothy 2:6 (The farmer that labors must be first partaker of the fruits.) that further makes the point of being able to profit off of labor. 1 Corinthians 9:11 - Paul makes an argument from common courtesy for the right of the minister to be sustained by the congregation. Cross referencing to Romans 15:27 drives this point home further. 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 - Paul exegetes Deut. 18:1-2 (see Num. 18:8-10 also) and draws a connection between being supported by the congregation with the priests living off of the offerings (sacrificial offerings, tithes, etc.) of the people. Paul also references the substance of Luke 10:7 and Matthew 10:10 (see Numbers 18:31). Secondary Considerations: What about 1 Corinthians 9:15-19? 1 Corinthians 9:15 - Paul strongly denies his use of any of the rights that he argued for in verses 1-14. 1 Corinthians 9:16-17 - Paul says that he has nothing to glory about in preaching the gospel. He was commanded by the Lord to preach (Acts 9:15 ; cross reference to Jeremiah 1:5) and so is only doing his duty (Luke 17:10). 1 Corinthians 9: 18 - Paul asks what sort of reward he should have if he is just doing what the Lord commanded him by preaching the gospel. He says that his reward lies in preaching the gospel freely. I dont see anything in these verses to suggest that we shouldnt interpret verses 1-14 as arguing for compensation/sustaining ministers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 Timothy 5:17-18 1 Timothy 5:17-18 - Paul praises the elders who rule well and those who labor in the gospel. Paul says that they should be awarded double honor (KJV). Double honor should be interpreted as monetary rewards given verse 18. Verse 18 contains a quote from Deut. 25:4 and Luke 10:7 (cross reference to Deut. 24:15 and Lev. 19:13 in the NWT). Pauls exegesis to Deut. 25:4 in 1 Cor. 9:9-10 further drives the point home. (see also Gr wage ; TG Wages for reward) Paul seems to support compensation for the work of ministers in these verses as well. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 21:17:12 +0000
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