Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.
Note that not all the elders in the Ephesian church worked hard at preaching and teaching. This may imply that all were equally responsible to preach and teach but some did it with more diligence than others. It may mean that some elders had more responsibility to preach and teach than others (e.g., pastoral staff). Both options may be in view since both situations are common. In any group of elders one will be more diligent and or more competent in these ministries than another. 1 Timothy 5:17 probably allows for a division of labor among the elders, though all were to be "able to teach" (1 Timothy 3:2). [Note: See George W. Knight III, "Two Offices (Elders/Bishops and Deacons) and Two Orders of Elders (Preaching/Teaching Elders and Ruling Elders): A New Testament Study," Presbyterion 11:1 (Spring 1985):1-12.] The distinction that some churches make between teaching elders and ruling elders, therefore, is essentially functional, not official. [Note: See David A. Mappes, "The New Testament Elder, Overseer, and Pastor," Bibliotheca Sacra 154:614 (April-June 1997):162-74; P. C. Campbell, The Theory of Ruling Eldership or the Position of the Lay Ruler in the Reformed Churches Examined, p. 59.] 