Paragraph 26.10

The work of Pastors being constantly to attend the Service of Christ, in his Churches, in the Ministry of the Word, and Prayer, with watching for their Souls, as they that must give an account to him; it is incumbent on the Churches to whom they Minister, not only to give them all due respect,^a but also to communicate to them of all their good things according to their ability, so as they may have a comfortable supply, without being themselves^b entangled in Secular Affairs; and may also be capable of exercising^c Hospitality toward others; and this is required by the^d Law of Nature, and by the Express order of our Lord Jesus, who hath ordained that they that preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel.^e

1. a. Acts 6:4; Hebrews 13:17

   Acts 6:4

   ^6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

   ^6:4 and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

   Hebrews 13:17

   ^13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

   ^13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

2. b. 1 Timothy 5:17–18; Galatians 6:6–7

   1 Timothy 5:17–18

   ^5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. ^5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

   ^5:17 Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. ^5:18 For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and, "The worker is worthy of his wages."

   Galatians 6:6–7

   ^6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. ^6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

   ^6:6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor. ^6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

3. c. 2 Timothy 2:4

   2 Timothy 2:4

   ^2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

   ^2:4 A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

4. d. 1 Timothy 3:2

   1 Timothy 3:2

   ^3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

   ^3:2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

5. e. 1 Corinthians 9:6–14

   1 Corinthians 9:6–14

   ^9:6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? ^9:7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? ^9:8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? ^9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? ^9:10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. ^9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? ^9:12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. ^9:13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? ^9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

   ^9:6 Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living? ^9:7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not drink of its milk? ^9:8 Do I say this from a human perspective? Doesn't the Law say the same thing? ^9:9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is it about oxen that God is concerned? ^9:10 Isn't He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest. ^9:11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much for us to reap a material harvest from you? ^9:12 If others have this right to your support, shouldn't we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. ^9:13 Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? ^9:14 In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible