Bible Verses About Supporting Clergy

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Explicitly says elders who labor in teaching are worthy of double honor

For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Direct Bible support for wages owed to laborers

We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

Direct Bible support for helping gospel workers

For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

God's ministers attend continually upon their work

Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Direct Bible support that preachers should live from the gospel

Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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?

Temple support background, not clergy-specific

Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Honor father and mother used as honor background

Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

Elders receive procedural protection and respect

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;

Bishop shepherding language but not support itself

The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

Honor due to priests as fathers/masters background

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

Believing masters text was included as a lexical support but is only indirect analogy

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Ordaining elders in every church background

This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

Bishop's office described as a good work

And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD,

Priests appointed to their offices

Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;

Priestly consecration background

That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

Priestly service language provides background pattern

And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

Shows women supporting Jesus out of their substance

And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.

Priests and Levites organized for service of God's house

And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:

Distribuion of portions in priestly cities

I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

Paul accepted support from other churches to serve Corinth

Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

Shows ministering hands and self-support in mission work

For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

Describes ministry service supplying needs

For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

High priest background for ministry role

And that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the holy place, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the house of the LORD.

Levites assisting priests is background pattern