Titles and Honor in the Church and Ministry

The New Testament uses various titles to describe individuals in ministry and leadership roles within the church, reflecting their functions and responsibilities. These include "ambassadors for Christ" (2 Cor 5:20), "angels of the Church" (Rev 1:20), "apostles" (Luke 6:13; Eph 4:11), "bishops" (Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:1), "deacons" (Acts 6:1; 1 Tim 3:8), "elders" (1 Tim 5:17; 1 Pet 5:1), and "evangelists" (Eph 4:11) ^[1]. Other descriptive terms include "fishers of men" (Matt 4:19), "laborers" (Matt 9:38), "ministers of God" (2 Cor 6:4), and "stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Cor 4:1) ^{[1, 2]}.

The concept of honor in the church is often tied to the faithful execution of these roles. For instance, those who "rule well" as priests (or elders) are considered "worthy of double honour," especially those who are diligent in "word and doctrine" ^[4]. John Calvin elaborates on this, stating that honor is not due to the title itself, but to the work performed by those appointed to the office, particularly those who are diligent in teaching the word ^[13]. Similarly, deacons who perform their office well are said to "purchase to themselves a good degree," which can imply an increase of respect and honor within the church ^[14]. The Geneva Bible translation of 1 Timothy 6:1 also instructs servants to count their masters "worthy of all honour," so that the name of God and His doctrine are not spoken ill of ^[3].

The New Testament emphasizes that the church functions as a unified body with many members, each having a distinct function determined by God ^{[5, 6]}. This body is "one in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28) and requires harmony and mutual care among its members ^{[10, 11]}. While there are different roles and ministries, such as prophesying or ministering to the poor, all are essential for the completeness of the church ^{[7, 16]}. Believers are encouraged to submit to those in leadership who minister the word and provide counsel, as long as it aligns with God's word ^[15]. The various titles and the honor associated with them are therefore rooted in the service and edification of the church, rather than mere status ^{[2, 8, 9, 12]}.

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Titles and Names of Ministers — Ambassadors for Christ -- 2Co 5:20. Angels of the Church -- Re 1:20; 2:1. Apostles -- Lu 6:13; Eph 4:11; Re 18:20. Apostles of Jesus Christ -- Tit 1:1. Bishops -- Php 1:1; 1Ti 3:1; Tit 1:7. Deacons -- Ac 6:1; 1Ti 3:8; Php 1:1. Elders -- 1Ti 5:17; 1Pe 5:1. Evangelists -- Eph 4:11; 2Ti 4:5. Fishers of men -- Mt 4:19; Mr 1:17. Labourers -- Mt 9:38; Phm 1:1; 1Th 2:2. Messengers of the church -- 2Co 8:2,3. Messengers of the Lord of hosts -- Mal 2:7. Ministers of God -- 2Co 6:4. Ministers of the Lord -- Joe 1:17. Ministers of Christ -- Ro 15”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ministers — Called by God -- Ex 28:1; Heb 5:4. Qualified by God -- Isa 6:5-7; 2Co 3:5,6. Commissioned by Christ -- Mt 28:19. Sent by the Holy Spirit -- Ac 13:2,4. Have authority from God -- 2Co 10:8; 13:10. Authority of, is for edification -- 2Co 10:8; 13:10. Separated to the gospel -- Ro 1:1. Entrusted with the gospel -- 1Th 2:4. Described as Ambassadors for Christ. -- 2Co 5:20. Ministers of Christ. -- 1Co 4:1. Stewards of the mysteries of God. -- 1Co 4:1. Defenders of the faith. -- Php 1:7. The servants of Christ's people. -- 2Co 4:5. Specially protected by God -- ”
I Timothy “I Timothy 6:1 (Geneva1599) — Let as many seruaunts as are vnder the yoke, count their masters worthie of all honour, that the Name of God, and his doctrine be not euill spoken of.”
I Timothy “I Timothy 5:17 (DRC) — Let the priests that rule well be esteemed worthy of double honour: especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:12: 12:12-31 The church is like a body (see 12:27) composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11, 18, 28; Rom 12:4-5).”
1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:27: members in particular--that is, severally members of it. Each church is in miniature what the whole aggregate of churches is collectively, "the body of Christ" (compare Co1 3:16): and its individual components are members, every one in his assigned place.”
1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 12:20: But now are they many members,.... Of different make and shape, in different parts and places, and of different use and service: yet but one body; all are united together, and make up one complete body, and which without each of them would not be perfect: so there are many members in the body of Christ, the church; some are teachers, others are hearers; some give, and others receive; but all make up but one church, of which Christ is the head; nor can anyone of them be spared; was anyone wanting, even the meanest, there would be a deficiency, and the church ”
Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:15: 3:15 Just as Christ is one, so there can be only one body of Christ (see 1:18; Eph 4:4-6). Allegiance to Jesus as Lord must transcend differences and will result in peace (harmonious relationships).”
Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 3:28: 3:28 There is no longer: Everyone comes to Christ and receives God’s promises in exactly the same way (cp. 1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 2:14; Col 3:11). • male and female: Cp. Gen 1:27. • you are all one: The community of believers is one body, the body of Christ (see Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:27; Eph 2:15-16, 19-22). • in Christ Jesus: See Col 2:6–3:11.”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:25: 12:25-26 The church is a unified body, so harmony and care for each other in the church is essential.”
1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 12:14: For the body is not one member - The mystical body, the Church, as well as the natural body, is composed of many members.”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:21: 2:21 Joined together in Christ, Gentile and Jewish Christians become a holy temple for the Lord, because the Lord himself is among his people (see Matt 18:20; 28:20; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Pet 2:4-5).”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 23.2: title; yet, if he do not also perform his duty, he will have no right to demand that he shall be supported at the expense of the Church. In short, he means that honor is not due to the title, but to the work performed by those who are appointed to the office. Yet he prefers those who labor in word and doctrine, that is, those who are diligent in teaching the word; for those two terms, word and doctrine, signify the same thing, namely, the preaching of the word. But lest any one should suppose him to mean by the word an indolent,”
1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 3:13: For they that have used the office of a deacon well,.... With diligence and faithfulness, with simplicity and cheerfulness; taking good care of the minister and poor, and of the discipline of God's house: purchase to themselves a good degree; not an higher office, as that of presbytery or episcopacy, which is a sense calculated to serve a hierarchy; nor a degree in glory and happiness hereafter; but rather an increase of gifts and grace; or a degree of respect and honour in the church: or the sense is, they possess and enjoy, which is the meaning of the word rend”
1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 16:14: That ye submit yourselves to such,.... To persons of such a character, and in such an office; if in ministering to poor saints, by assisting them, and by putting into their hands; and putting it in their power to discharge their work fully, in which they were so heartily concerned; and if in the work of the ministry of the word, by attending their ministrations, receiving the truths delivered by them with faith and love, so far as they appeared to be agreeably to the word of God; hearkening to their admonitions, counsels and advice, regarding their censures an”
Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 12:7: Or ministry, let us wait on our ministry,.... The word sometimes signifies the whole ecclesiastical ministry, even the office of apostleship, as well as the ordinary ministration of the Gospel; see Act 1:17; but here "deaconship", or the office of ministering to the poor saints, as in Act 6:1, being a distinct office from prophesying: or preaching the word, and should be used, exercised, and attended to with diligence, care, and constancy; for such who are appointed to this office, are chosen not only to a place of honour, but of service and business, in which they sh”

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