[b]A faithful minister
(Thomas Brooks, "The Unsearchable Riches of Christ")
"Let the elders who rule well be accounted worthy of
double honor, especially those who labor in the word
and doctrine." 1 Timothy 5:17
The which is here rendered labor, signifies not simply
to labor--but to labor with much travail and toil, to labor
even to exhaustion, as he does who chops wood, or who
toils in harvest, or who fights in a battle.
Oh what an honor is it to a faithful minister, when he has . . .
found the people dark and blind--but left them enlightened;
found them dead--but left them alive;
found them a proud people--but left them humble;
found them a profane people--but left them holy;
found them a carnal people--but left them spiritual;
found them a worldly people--but left them heavenly;
found them a wavering people--but left them settled and rooted.
Oh, it is an honor to faithful ministers,
when their people are like them in . . .
knowledge,
wisdom,
love,
humility,
holiness!
"Be an example to all believers in what you
teach, in the way you live, in your love, your
faith, and your purity." 1 Timothy 4:12