1 Thessalonians 5:14

Now we exhort you, brethren, warnthem that are unruly More strictly, But we exhort, &c. The Apostle is not passing to a new topic. His exhortation to "peace" needs to be qualified. "The unruly" must not for the sake of peace be left unreproved. It is a false and cowardly peace that leaves disorder to range unchecked.

Read admonish for warnsame verb as in 1 Thessalonians 5:12. The Church at large must second its presiding eiders in such admonishing. In every well-ordered community, whether church or school or nation, needful discipline claims the support of public opinion. The disorder that required this general censure was doubtless that hinted at in ch. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (see note), and which had grown more pronounced when St Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians 2:6-15; it was a common injury and discredit.

The unruly: better, the disorderly (R. V.), as in 2 Thessalonians 3:11.

comfort the feebleminded, support the weak Rather, the faint-hearted (R. V.). The former verb was used in ch. 1 Thessalonians 2:11 (see note), where the Apostle reminds his readers how he had "exhorted, and comforted(or consoled)" them, "as a father his own children." The second of these directions also St Paul enforces by his example, in Acts 20:35: "In all things I have shown you how that so labouring you ought to help the weak." Comp. Ephesians 4:28, for the same sentiment.

"The weak" and "fainthearted" stand in contrast with "the disorderly." The latter are overbold, and need to be checked: the former are despondent, and need stimulus and help. Fainthearted men think themselves weak, but perhaps are not so; and encouragement may make them bold. The mourners whom St Paul consoled in ch. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, would be amongst "the fainthearted" at Thessalonica.

be patient toward allmen] longsuffering toward all (R. V.) "whether weak or strong, whether they try you by their presumption or timidity, by rude aggressiveness or by feebleness and incapacity." Longsufferingis one of the special marks of Christian grace: "Charity suffereth long" (1 Corinthians 13:4); it was a chief quality of Jesus Christ, and is an attribute of God Himself (1Pe 3:20; 1 Timothy 1:16; &c.).