I don't accept your interpretation of Genesis 1 as valid. I don't agree with your chain of reasoning in 1 Timothy 2; the phrase, "first among equals" is an oxymoron. I think you're using circular reasoning in your understanding of 1 Timothy 5.
“first among equals,” or primi inter pares, meaning “first ones among equals.”
The principle of “first among equals” is observed first in our Lord’s dealings with the twelve apostles. Jesus chose twelve apostles, all of whom He empowered to preach and heal, but He singled out three for special attention—Peter, James, and John (“first ones among equals”). Among the three, as well as among the Twelve, Peter stood out as the most prominent (“first among equals”). Consider the following facts:
• Among the twelve apostles, Peter, James, John, and sometimes Andrew are “first ones among equals.” On key occasions Jesus chose only Peter, James, and John to accompany Him to witness His power, glory, and agony (
Luke 8:51; 9:28; Mark 14:33).
• Among the three, as well as the Twelve, Peter is unquestionably first among his equals. In all four lists of the apostles’ names, Peter’s name is first (
Matt. 10:2–4; Mark 3:16–19; Luke 6:14–16; Acts 1:13). Matthew actually refers to Peter as “the first” (
Matt. 10:2). By calling Peter “the first,” Matthew means “first among his equals.” We must not, in reaction to Roman Catholicism’s mistaken elevation of Peter, underestimate Peter’s outstanding leadership among the Twelve. The Gospel writers don’t.
• In all four Gospels, Peter is indisputably the prominent figure among the Twelve. Outside of Jesus, Peter is mentioned most often as speaking and acting. If you doubt this, look up the name Peter in a Bible concordance, then look up the names of the other apostles. You will immediately see Peter’s prominence among the Twelve in the four Gospels and in Acts.
• Jesus charged Peter to “strengthen your brothers” (
Luke 22:32). Jesus acknowledged Peter as first among his brothers, the natural leader and motivator. He knew that they would need Peter’s leadership to help them through the dark days immediately following their Lord’s departure.
• The book of Acts richly demonstrates Peter’s leadership. Among the Twelve who jointly shared the leadership of the first church
(Acts 2:14, 42; 4:33, 35; 5:12, 18, 25, 29, 42; 6:2–6; 8:14; 9:27; 15:2–29), Peter is the chief spokesman and natural leader throughout the first twelve chapters of Acts (
Acts 1:15; 2:14; 3:1 ff; 4:8 ff; 5:3 ff; 5:15, 29; 8:14–24; 9:32–11:18; 12:3 ff; 15:7–11; Gal. 2:7–14). Some scholars even divide the book of Acts according to its two central figures: the acts of Peter (
Acts 1–12) and the acts of Paul (
Acts 13–28).. They view the book of Acts as the record of that promise fulfilled (
especially Acts 10:1–11:18).
• In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, Paul speaks of James, Peter, and John as the acknowledged “pillars” of the church in Jerusalem (
Gal. 2:9; see also Gal. 2:7, 8).
The “first among equals” leadership relationship can also be observed among the Seven who were chosen to relieve the apostles in
Acts 6. Philip and Stephen stood out as prominent figures among the five other brothers (
Acts 6:8–7:60; 8:4–40; 21:8). Yet, as far as the account records, the two held no special title or status above the others.
The concept of “first among equals” is further evidenced by the relationship of Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. Paul and Barnabas were both apostles
(Acts 13:1–3; 14:4; 15:36–39; 1 Cor. 9:1–6), yet Paul was first between the two because he was “the chief speaker” and dynamic leader (
Acts 13:13; 14:12). Although Paul was plainly the more gifted of the two apostles, he held no formal ranking over Barnabas; they labored as partners in the work of the gospel. A similar relationship seems to have existed between Paul and Silas, who was also an apostle
(1 Thess. 2:6).
Finally, the “first among equals” concept is evidenced by the way in which congregations are to honor their elders. Paul wrote specific instructions concerning elders to the church in Ephesus: “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,’ and The laborer is worthy of his wages’ ” (
1 Tim. 5:17, 18). All elders must be able to teach the Word, but not all desire to work fully at preaching and teaching. Those who are gifted in teaching and spend the time to do so should be properly acknowledged by the local church. They should receive double honor.
This doesn’t mean, however, that elders who are first among their equals do all the thinking and decision-making for the group, or that they are the pastors while the others are merely elders. To call one elder “pastor” and the rest “elders” or one elder “the clergyman” and the rest “lay elders” is to act without biblical precedence. To do so will not result in a Biblical eldership. It will, at least in practice, create a separate, superior office over the eldership, just as was done in the early second century when the division between “the overseer” and “elders” occurred.
The advantage of the principle of “first among equals” is that it allows for functional, gift-based diversity within the eldership team without creating an official, superior office over fellow elders. Just as the leading apostles, such as Peter and John, bore no special title or formal distinctions from the other apostles, elders who receive double honor form no official class or receive no special title. The differences among the elders are functional, not formal.
I'm surprised that this has never crossed you mind??
Like I mentioned before, There is equality, yet submission within the Godhead. That's why Jesus said "the Father is greater than I" (not in equality, but in position/role.)
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