Did Early Christians Support Clergy?
Early Christian writings teach that churches should support their clergy so they can stay focused on prayer, teaching, and ministry. Clement of Rome, Cyprian, and the Apostolic Constitutions give clear examples, and Bible passages like 1 Timothy 5:17 and 1 Corinthians 9:14 set the main pattern. The practice is clear for bishops, presbyters, deacons, and readers, though the details vary by author and period.
139 early-church witnesses · 257 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about supporting Clergy?
Early Christian writings teach that churches should support clergy and other ministers so they can stay free for prayer, teaching, and altar service. Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Cyprian, and the Apostolic Constitutions all connect church leadership with real material support and with freedom from worldly business. The support idea is broad but not identical everywhere: some texts focus on honor and maintenance, while others spell out tithes, firstfruits, or double portions.
The evidence is strongest for bishops, presbyters, deacons, and readers in the third century, with earlier Bible passages and first-century church writings giving the main pattern behind that practice. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Early Christians linked church support to ministry, prayer, and teaching.
- Clement of Rome, Cyprian, and the Apostolic Constitutions all speak plainly about clergy support.
- Some texts mention honor, some mention wages or portions, and some mention tithes and firstfruits.
- The strongest evidence is for ordained leaders and church workers, not for all Christians equally.
Questions Answered by the Sources
Did early Christians teach that clergy should be supported by the church?
Several early sources say clergy, presbyters, deacons, and other ministers should receive support from the church so they can stay focused on ministry. The clearest witnesses are the Apostolic Constitutions and Cyprian, with Clement of Rome and other church-order texts providing supporting evidence.
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Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Direct teaching
...r this reason, considering that they had obtained perfect foreknowledge of this, they appointed the ministers previously mentioned, and subsequently instructed that when these ministers passed away, other approved men should succeed them in their ministry. We believe, therefore, that those appointed by them, or later by other distinguished men with the consent of the whole Church, who have served the flock of Christ blamelessly in a humble, peaceful, and selfless spirit, and have long enjoyed a good reputation with everyone, cannot be justly removed from the ministry. Our sin will not be small if we dismiss from the episcopate those who have fulfilled its duties blamelessly and holily. Blessed are those presbyters who, having completed their journey before now, have achieved a fruitful and perfect departure from this world; for they have no fear of being deprived of the place now appointed to them. But we see that you have removed some men of excellent character from the ministry, which they fulfilled blamelessly and with honor.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching
For those who attend upon the Church ought to be maintained by the Church, as being priests, Levites, presidents, and ministers of God;
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Didache, The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles Supporting witness
So also a true teacher is himself worthy, as the workman, of his support.
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1 Corinthians 9:14 Direct teaching
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
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1 Timothy 5:18 Direct teaching
For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
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3 John 1:8 Direct teaching
Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
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2 Corinthians 11:8 Supporting witness
I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you.
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2 Corinthians 9:12 Supporting witness
For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.
More related quotations from this section 10 shown
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Didache, The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles Supporting witness
Despise them not therefore, for they are your honoured ones, together with the prophets and teachers.
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Didache, The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles Supporting witness
But every true prophet that wills to abide among you is worthy of his support.
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Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Supporting witness
And thus preaching through countries and cities, they appointed the first-fruits [of their labours], having first proved them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons of those who should afterwards believe.
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Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Supporting witness
We are of opinion, therefore, that those appointed by them, or afterwards by other eminent men, with the consent of the whole Church, and who have blamelessly served the flock of Christ in a humble, peaceable, and disinterested spirit, and have for a long time possessed the good opinion of all, cannot be justly dismissed from the ministry.
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Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness
...I should also inform you in this letter that, for a very urgent reason, I have sent a letter to the clergy who remain in the city. And since it was necessary for me to write through clergy, while I know that very many of our men are absent, and the few who are there are hardly enough for the ministry of daily duty, it was necessary to appoint some new men who could be sent. Know, then, that I have made Saturus a reader, and Optatus the confessor a subdeacon. By the general advice of all, we had already placed them next to the clergy, since on Easter Day we had entrusted the reading to Saturus more than once. And while, together with the teaching presbyters, we were carefully testing readers, we appointed Optatus from among the readers to be a teacher of the hearers, first examining whether everything proper was found in them, as ought to be found in those being prepared for clerical office. Therefore, nothing new has been done by me in your absence. Rather, what had been begun by the general advice of all of us has now, because of urgent necessity, been completed. I bid you, beloved brothers, a heartfelt farewell always; and remember me. Farewell.
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Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness
Cyprian to the elders and deacons, and to the whole people, greeting. In ordaining clergy, beloved brothers, we usually consult you beforehand, and with the advice of all, we weigh the character and merits of each person. But human testimonies must not be waited for when divine approval comes first. Aurelius, our brother, is an outstanding young man, already approved by the Lord and dear to God. In years he is still very young, but in the praise of virtue and faith he is advanced. He is inferior in the natural abilities of his age, but superior in the honor he has deserved. He has struggled here in a double conflict, having twice confessed and twice been glorious in the victory of his confession. This was so both when he conquered in the course and was banished, and when at last he fought in a more severe conflict, he was triumphant and victorious in the battle of suffering. As often as the adversary wished to call out the servants of God, this ready and brave soldier both fought and conquered. Before, it would have been a small thing to fight under the eyes of a few when he was banished. He also deserved to fight in the forum with a more illustrious courage, so that, after overcom
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Luke 8:3 Supporting witness
And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
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2 Corinthians 9:13 Supporting witness
while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,
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Cyprian, Epistles Background
To the Clergy and People, About the Ordination of Celerinus as Reader.
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Cyprian, Epistles Background
To the Clergy and People, About the Ordination of Aurelius as a Reader.
Did early Christians say church leaders should be honored and respected?
The supplied sources show a linked theme of honor and support: church leaders are to be respected, treated as worthy, and not burdened by ordinary anxieties. This appears in Clement of Rome, the Didache, and Cyprian, with Bible passages about honoring fathers, masters, and elders used as background support.
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Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching
...n though it had long ago been decreed in a council of bishops that no one should appoint any of the clergy or ministers of God as executor or guardian in his will. For everyone who is honored with the divine priesthood and ordained for clerical service ought to serve only the altar and the sacrifices, and to be free for prayers and supplications. For it is written, "No man that wars for God entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him to whom he has pledged himself." If this is said about all men, how much more should those men not be bound by worldly worries and entanglements who are occupied with divine and spiritual matters, and are not able to leave the Church to make time for earthly and secular business! The Levites formerly observed this pattern of ordination and service under the law. So when the eleven tribes divided the land and shared the property, the tribe of Levi was left free for the temple and the altar and for the divine ministries, and received nothing from that division. But while the others farmed the land, that one portion cultivated only the favor of God, and received tithes from the eleven tribes for food and support from the pro
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Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness
Which plan and rule is now maintained in respect of the clergy, that they who are promoted by clerical ordination in the Church of the Lord may be called off in no respect from the divine administration, nor be tied down by worldly anxieties and matters;
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching
... to each of the elderly women, let twice as much be given to the deacons, in honor of Christ. Let a double portion also be set apart for the presbyters, since they labor continually in the word and teaching, because of the apostles of our Lord, whose place they hold, as the bishop's counselors and the crown of the Church. For they are the Sanhedrin and senate of the Church. If a reader is there, let him receive a single portion, in honor of the prophets, and let the singer and the doorkeeper receive as much. Therefore, let the laity give proper honor in their gifts, and the highest marks of respect to each distinct order. But let them not trouble their ruler on every occasion. Instead, let them make their requests known through those who minister to him, that is, through the deacons, with whom they may speak more freely. For we cannot approach Almighty God except through Christ. In the same way, therefore, let the laity make all their desires known to the bishop through the deacon, and then let them act as he directs them. For in former times, nothing holy was offered or done in the temple without the priest. For "the priest's lips shall keep knowledge, and they shall seek the l
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1 Peter 5:2 Background
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
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Hebrews 5:1 Background
For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
More related quotations from this section 3 shown
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Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness
Argument. The Roman clergy had learned from Crementius the sub-deacon that, during the time of persecution, Cyprian had withdrawn himself. Therefore, with their usual zeal for the faith, they remind the Carthaginian clergy of their duty and instruct them what to do in the case of the lapsed during the bishop's absence.
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Acts 20:34 Supporting witness
You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.
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Romans 15:16 Background
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Why did early Christians want clergy free from worldly work?
Cyprian says ordained ministers should not be tied down by worldly anxieties, and the Apostolic Constitutions say those who attend upon the Church ought to be maintained because they are priests, Levites, presidents, and ministers of God. These sources present support as a way to protect their time for altar service, prayer, and teaching.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching
...ers, and the deacons for their support. But let all the tithe be for the support of the rest of the clergy, and of the virgins and widows, and of those being tested by poverty. For the firstfruits belong to the priests, and to those deacons who minister to them.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
but let all the tithe be for the maintenance of the rest of the clergy, and of the virgins and widows, and of those under the trial of poverty.
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Nehemiah 12:44 Background
On that day men were appointed over the storerooms, the contributions, the firstfruits, and the tithes, to gather into them the portions required by the Law for the priests and for the Levites according to the fields of the towns, for Judah rejoiced over the priests and the Levites who ministered.
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1 Chronicles 23:32 Background
Thus they were to keep charge of the tent of meeting and the sanctuary, and to attend the sons of Aaron, their brothers, for the service of the house of the LORD.
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1 Chronicles 23:28 Background
For their duty was to assist the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, having the care of the courts and the chambers, the cleansing of all that is holy, and any work for the service of the house of God.
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1 Chronicles 28:13 Background
also for the division of the priests and the Levites, for all the work of the service of the house of the Lord, and for all the articles of service in the house of the Lord.
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2 Kings 12:6 Background
let the priests take it to themselves, every man from the proceeds of his sale: and they shall repair the breaches of the house in all places wheresoever a breach shall be found.
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1 Maccabees 10:42 Background
And beside this, the five thousand shekels of silver, which they took from the uses of the temple out of the accounts year by year, even those things shall be released, because they appertain to the priests that minister.
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2 Kings 12:12 Background
And they gave the money that had been collected into the hands of them that wrought the works, the overseers of the house of the Lord; and they gave it out to the carpenters and to the builders that wrought in the house of the Lord.
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Ezra 7:20 Background
And whatever more may be needed for the house of your God, which you may have occasion to provide, pay for it from the king’s treasury.
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1 Maccabees 10:44 Background
For the building also and repairing of the works of the sanctuary, expenses shall be given out of the king’s accounts.
More related quotations from this section 1 shown
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1 Corinthians 9:13 Background
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?
Common Questions
Did early Christians pay or support their clergy?
Yes. Early Christian writings say church leaders and ministers should be maintained so they can serve the altar, prayer, and teaching.
Which early Christian writers talk about clergy support?
Clement of Rome, Cyprian, and the Apostolic Constitutions are the clearest witnesses in the supplied texts.
Did they connect support with tithes or firstfruits?
Yes. The Apostolic Constitutions speaks of tithes and firstfruits for the clergy, and other texts echo temple-style support.
Source Index for Supporting Clergy
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 160 ranked source links from 257 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 160 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 139
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
Bible Passages 80 shown of 118
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.
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Book 79 1:50