1 Thessalonians 5:12,13

Text (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)

12 But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 and to esteem them exceedingly highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

Translation and Paraphrase

12.

But we do request of you, brothers, that you give heed to those who toil among you, and are (appointed to be) over you in the Lord, and who admonish you.

13.

And (that you) regard them highly, (yes even) beyond measure in (your) love (that you show,) because of their work (which they do for your sake. And) keep peace among yourselves.

Notes (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)

1.

These verses begin a section of Practical Exhortations. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22.) There are thirteen of these exhortations. See outline. We sum up the first exhortation to say, Know them which labor among you.

2.

An excessive modesty prevents many ministers, evangelists, and elders from calling attention to the sacred work which they do, and to the respect with which it is to be regarded. Such a modesty is most harmful to the church. Let not the minister hesitate, even at the risk of being thought egotistical, to speak on this subject and enforce the New Testament teaching.

3.

Roman Catholics are forced to knuckle down to the authority of their priesthood. Protestants have rightly rebelled against such unauthorized tyranny. But generally they have gone too far the other way, They not only disregard human authority in religion, but God's authority too. Without fear of God they neglect to worship, never pray nor pay, and feel no obligation to work. They do not hesitate to find fault with minister, even when he speaks the word of God. My brethren, let us take the yoke of Christ upon us. We are slaves of a divine Lord.

4.

It is possible that Paul inserted the command here concerning the respect due to elders and evangelists, because some of the Thessalonians were insubordinate, and despised those with gifts such as prophesying. 1 Thessalonians 5:20.

5.

Three duties of those who are over you in the Lord are indicated:

(1)

Labor; (The word means toil.)

(2)

Rule

(3)

Admonish

6.

Two duties toward those that are over us in the Lord are laid down for us:

(1) Know them.
(2) Esteem them highly.

(The adverb, very highly, used here is the same word used by Paul to describe his longing to return to Thessalonica in 1 Thessalonians 3:10. Appreciation for the ministry and eldership should be most warm.)

7.

The expression, Know them which labour among you, of course means more than just to get acquainted. It is a Hebrew way of expressing to have regard for, cherish, pay attention to.

8.

The duty of Christians to be obedient to their church elders and evangelists is also taught in other Scriptures:

(1) Hebrews 13:17: Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief.

(2) 1 Corinthians 16:16: That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth and laboreth.

9.

Nothing is indicated in these verses that would warrant our as-signing to different church officers the various responsibilities of laboring, ruling, and admonishing. All of these jobs are to be done by the elders of churches. 1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:5; Titus 1:9; Acts 20:28. Also preachers (or evangelists) must labor and admonish people. Titus 3:10; 2 Timothy 4:2.

10.

It is easy for some men to abuse their authority, and take too much power unto themselves because they love the preeminence. 3 John 1:9.

Those who are leaders among the churches of Christ are not to rule over their brethren like the kings of the Gentiles rule Luke 22:24-26. Whosoever would be greatest shall be the servant of all. Jesus forbade us to assume titles of honor, like Father or Rabbi. Also the title, Reverend, belongs to God alone, and should not be worn by the Lord's servants. See Psalms 111:9.

We notice that in 1 Thessalonians 5:13, that those who are over you in the Lord, are to be esteemed very highly for their work's sake, rather than because they hold some office with a high-sounding title.

The Lord's church does not have any district ministers, state secretaries, district superintendents, cardinals, patriarch, or popes.

11.

As true as all this is, we feel that among many churches people need to be MORE subject to authority, and not less. Of course, the authority must be God's authority, and rest upon Scriptural teachings.

12.

Admonish means to warn, exhort, place in one's mind.

13.

Paul concludes his exhortation about the church's attitude toward its minister by saying, Be at peace among yourselves.

Let there be peace between the minister and his flock, between the members themselves, and between ministers in different places.

14.

If we have a factious spirit and cannot get along with our brethren in the church, or with the elders or preacher, we should take the matter to the Lord in prayer immediately, with humiliation and self-judgment.

15.

Some of the Thessalonians were not working to support themselves. 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12. It is easy to imagine that this caused tension in the church, and may have partly been the reason Paul said, Be at peace among yourselves.