This word translated especially, hath been already in the minor proposition proved to be rather disjunctive, than explanatory; a term of distinction to point out a several sort of elders from only ruling elders, rather than a term of explication, signifying who are to be reputed these well-ruling elders. 4.  The word especially is used for a term of distinction, even in those places where the adversative but is not joined to it, as in Tit. i. 10, “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision:”  where especially distinguishes them of the circumcision, from all other vain talkers, and deceivers; and in 1 Tim. iv. 10, “Who is the Saviour of all men, especially of them that believe;” here especially without but distinguishes them that believe from all other men, as capable of a special salvation from God; if here it were not a note of distinction, according to this gloss, we should thus read the place, “Who is the Saviour of all men, greatly believing;” but this were cold comfort to weak Christians of little faith.  So here especially, though but be wanting, distinguished them that labor in the word and doctrine, from them that labor not therein, and yet rule well.

Except. 7.  It is one thing to preach, another thing to labor in the word and doctrine.  If there be here any distinction of elders it is between those that labor more abundantly and painfully, and between those that labor not so much.  This objection takes much with some.[81] B. Bilson much presses this objection from the emphasis of the word laboring; signifying endeavoring any thing with greater striving and contention, &c., to this sense, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor and sweat, &c., in the word—­who give themselves even to be tired and broken with labors;” and this, saith he, is the genuine signification of the word translated laboring, when it is borrowed from the labor of the body, to denote the contention or striving of the mind, &c.[82]

Ans. 1.  This gloss takes it for granted, that this text speaks only of preaching, or the ministry of the word, and therein of the lesser or greater pains taken:  which (besides that it begs the thing in question) makes the ministry of the word common to both sorts here distinctly spoken of, whereas rather the plain current of the text makes ruling common to both, over and beyond which the preaching elder labors in the word. 2.  Doth not this interpretation allow a double honor to ministers that labor not so much as others in the word?  And can we think that the laborious Paul intended to dignify, patronize, or encourage idle drones, lazy, sluggish, seldom preachers?  Ministers must be exceeding instant and laborious in their ministry, 2 Tim. iv. 1-3.  If this were the sense only to prefer the greater before the less labor in the ministry, the apostle would have used