Concluding Admonitions

Introduction

Most recently, Paul has admonished the Thessalonians to live consistently with their salvation.

This is what being awake means from a biblical perspective.

Included in this way of living is the respect shown toward leaders.

Paul had apparently left men behind as the leaders of the congregation.

He now wants to ensure that loving one another gets extended to them too.

The Bible teaches us that it is an indication of maturity and humility to listen to someone’s guidance in the Word of God.

An Important Request

1 Thess. 5:12 and 1 Thess. 5:14 indicate Paul makes two parting requests of the Thessalonians.

1 Thess. 5:13 also is the first of a series of 15 commands/entreaties Paul will make as the letter comes to a unique end.

In the immediate context, Paul offers instruction about how to treat five types of people:

Leaders

Disorderly

Discouraged

Sick/Weak

All

The first of these is a request to “know” or “see” the ones who are laboring among you, and who are guiding you in the Lord, and who are instructing/warning you.”

We do not know the precise circumstances of the situation among the Thessalonians.

They could be struggling with false teaching, but this is unclear.

Paul, however, must have left individuals in charge of the congregation before he left, and now he wishes to make sure the Thessalonians follow the leaders chosen for them.

The group of leaders can be characterized by three things which affects all of them.

Labor/Toil

Assistance/Guidance

Instruction/Warning

Paul goes transitions to a second action or thing he asks the Thessalonians to do:

“to be considering them increasingly/or to a very considerable degree in love.”

The love they have for one another was especially to be applicable to the way they considered or thought about those who led them by the example of labor and through teaching.

Paul always took a high view of the leadership role. It is work (see 1 Tim. 3:1).

An Admonition for Peace

We do not know if the Thessalonians suffered from internal dissension.

It is a possibility given the instruction in 1 Thess. 5:19-22.

What we can know is that Paul did not want them to suffer from internal strife or division.

An important part of the godliness of God’s people is our peacefulness among ourselves.

Let the Final Admonitions Begin

Paul introduces his series of commands through the familiar words, “we are encouraging you all brothers.” (1 Thess. 5:14).

“Be instructing the disorderly.”

The term does not necessarily refer to people who are lazy as much as it refers more generally to people who are out of step or line with established teaching and practice.

Here, Paul calls for a serious reprimand of those who depart from proper faith and practice.

This may come in the form of instruction instead of an upbraiding.

“Be consoling the small minded.”

Here, Paul’s concern is with those who have begun to lose heart.

The verb he uses occurs only 4 times in the NT, most notably in John 11:19, 31 of the Jews who came to console Martha and Mary after the death of their brother, Lazarus.

They are to be strengthened.

Perhaps an illustration comes from Is. 35:3-4 with the assurance of the future vengeance of the Lord.

Imagine how difficult it would be if we faced danger in reality instead of in theory.

“Be assisting the sick/weak.”

“Be longsuffering to all.”

Perhaps this may be in direct reference to helping those in who are sick or weak.

Instead of being frustrated with them, they are to be dealt with patiently.

The unique behavior of not repaying evil in exchange for evil coincides with Jesus teaching in Luke which we more commonly refer to as “the golden rule.”

Lk. 6:27-36

Peter points to Jesus’ own example as well.

“Always be pursing the good.”

This both internal “for one another.”

An external “and for all.”

Given the opposite instruction to come below, Paul may have in mind the importance of living our lives in accordance with the teaching of the word of God and the beneficial effects that has under all circumstances.