1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 - Love Those Who Labor

12 We ask you, brothers [and sisters], to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Target Date: Sunday, 23 April 2023

Word Study/ Translation Notes:

Ask - ἐρωτάω ĕrōtaō – stronger than a simple request, more akin to urging.

Earlier in the letter, the word “exhort” is used often. The different, perhaps softer, word in this case may have to do with the fact that the apostles are not applying a specific biblical law in this case but are expressing an additional application of “Be at peace among yourselves.”

The danger of not applying this with regard to leaders is on full display in 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 3:4-8. In this passage set, the leaders were set against each other where there really was no disagreement between them.

Respect - εἴδω ĕidō – to see, know, perceive, or, by extension, understand and acknowledge.

It is in the active tense, indicating an ongoing, continuing action.

Labor – κοπιάω kŏpiaō – to weary or exhaust yourself in labor, to diminish yourself.

The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. – 1 Timothy 5:17

Over - προΐστημι prŏıstēmi – to stand before. To lead.

Admonish - νουθετέω nŏuthĕtĕō – gently reprove, instruct, teach.

The same word is used to instruct all the church in vv. 14 and 15.

The verb means “to impart understanding,” “to set right,” “to lay on the heart.” The stress is on influencing not merely the intellect but the will and disposition. The word thus acquires such senses as “to admonish,” “to warn,” “to remind,” and “to correct.” It describes a basic means of education. Philo and Clement of Alexandria speak about God or Christ warning, censuring, and encouraging us in this way. The idea is not that of punishment but of a moral appeal that leads to amendment. In this sense it takes on the meaning “to discipline.”

Esteem - ἡγέομαι hēgĕŏmai – deem, regard.

Very highly - ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ - very highly, super-exceedingly.

as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith? – 1 Thessalonians 3:10

Thoughts on the Passage:

There is almost no more uncomfortable subject for a leader to preach on. It can be seen as self-serving, and we have far too many examples in our day of preachers who are serving themselves.

Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), 16 that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. – 1 Corinthians 16:15-16

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. – Hebrews 13:17

Ernst von Dobschütz lists this service as first in a series of ten ways in which provision was made for the church by those capable of making it. The others were: seeing to the good order of church meetings, leading in prayer, leading in scripture reading, leading in song, undertaking the maintenance of itinerant fellow Christians, supporting the poor, going bail where necessary (as Jason did in Thessalonica), representing brothers and sisters who had to appear in court on charges arising out of their faith, journeying on the church’s behalf. As procedure became increasingly regularized, most of these services became the responsibility of the president or bishop, but in the early stages of church life they were undertaken voluntarily. When persecution broke out, it was the people who rendered such services who were most in the public eye and were therefore the first targets for attack.

In the Greek text, only one article links all three participles that clarify their function, and so we should not imagine that our author is thinking of three distinct types of persons.

The respect of the church was due not on the basis of a gift possessed but on the basis of a gift exercised properly. The respect of the church was due not on the basis of reputation or position but on the basis of ministry performed. The minister who thinks his position alone should earn him the respect of the church has not read the Scriptures

The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; 3 therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. 4 They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. 5 But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. 6 They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. 8 But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. 11 But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. – Matthew 23:2-12

Sermon Text:

I think it is bad form for a preacher of Scripture to give any disclaimer prior to a sermon, as much as I am tempted to,

So I will trust each of us will listen for the teaching in this passage and find godly applications for ourselves.

And know that it is my sole purpose to preach an accurate exposition of this text.

We are moving on from the apostles’ teaching on the Return of Jesus Christ into a list of admonitions to the church on how to live as a community of believers in Jesus Christ in anticipation of that day.

For the rest of the letter is a densely-packed series of instructions for the church:

Many of them, no doubt, reminders of teachings they delivered when they were among the Thessalonians,

And others, of such easily-understandable application that they did not need to be set apart into a larger section of teaching.

They begin this section with the words We ask you, brothers [and sisters], but don’t let the way they phrase it lessen the importance of the teaching.

The way they are “asking” is not a request they feel the church can say “yes” or “no” to.

Like if you “ask” someone to help you move all your furniture tomorrow afternoon.

We tend to consider that the person might reject, hopefully politely, the request:

Perhaps they are not physically able to help.

Or they already have plans for tomorrow.

But the way this “ask” is set, it is simply a polite way to urge obedience, very similar to the word we have seen them use many times in this letter: exhort.

The ask here is like when you “ask” your son or daughter to take out the trash: you EXPECT a “yes” (or better: “yes, Sir”).

So do not think the instruction in this paragraph is any less important than the rest of the teaching in this letter;

It is of the same import, simply preceded by a different introductory word.

A word that has the force of beseeching or urging in it, with the gentle spirit of love.

So what the apostles urge the church, both in that day and today, is this: to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you

Let’s begin with who we are being instructed to respect:

Those who labor for the church.

Those who lead the church.

Those who teach and instruct in the church.

And the way this is phrased, these are all the same people, what we would call “elders”.

There is much debate as to why Paul and Silas didn’t just use the word “elders” in this passage, rather than describing their work.

The likeliest reason seems to me that due to the circumstances of the formation of the Thessalonian church, there were not yet men developed enough to BE elders there.

There were those, like Jason, who had been given the lead by the Holy Spirit, but there may have been some more seasoning required of the leading men of this congregation before they could be considered “elders”.

Paul was not going to violate in a letter the advice he would later send to Timothy:

Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily - 1 Timothy 5:22

But for all purposes, the works described in this passage are the works of the shepherds, the elders, of the church.

And the church is commanded to “respect” those. What does that mean?

Let me begin negatively, describing one thing it does NOT mean.

It does NOT mean that a pastor or elder must be respected SIMPLY because of his position or title.

Many an embattled pastor has proclaimed “You shall not touch the Lord’s anointed.”

In saying this, they claimed authority that is not theirs, seeking to be immune from good-faith questions of their conduct or beliefs.

One of the pieces of advice I got from a professor who recently went home to be with the Lord has stuck with me through all the years:

“Do not let your church set you up on a pedestal because you will discover it is the devil who has set you up for a great fall.”

This respect has nothing to do with elevating an elder, teacher, or preacher to an authority or eminence higher than his calling.

In Matthew 23, Jesus described those who sought men’s esteem, the Pharisees and scribes, as hypocrites.

The word “respect” here means to see, to know, to understand the work of these servants of Christ on your behalf.

And it is that WORK, that toil, that calls us to respect them.

The church should seek to know and understand the efforts the serving elders go through on their behalf, most of it done out of sight of anyone, sometimes even their families.

Take, for example, the first work they describe here of the elders: who labor among you.

That word “labor” is the same word used earlier in this letter:

It means to weary or exhaust yourself in toil.

To spend yourself, diminish yourself in work.

Most of what elders do is not out in the open – we are, after all, servants.

The Sunday sermon or lesson takes literally hours of study and preparation.

Not to mention the other needs that present themselves during a week.

The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. – 1 Timothy 5:17

Please understand: this is not complaining or griping, but an honest look at the work of ministry, which MEANS “service”.

In many churches, these efforts are met with people who are more concerned that the teacher went long, or that their delivery wasn’t as polished as the YouTube preachers, or so many other things than what we would pray you take away.

God forbid that our weaknesses or mistakes would cause someone to miss the point of the Scripture;

That is why we work relentlessly on better preparation and explanation of the material.

And for many preachers and elders, Sunday and Monday are the days where we take very personally our mistakes, reviewing the entire worship and teaching ministry of the last Lord’s Day in our hearts.

That, and many other areas of service, are what the apostles summarize as “hard labor”.

Additionally, they describe the work of the elders as “over you in the Lord”.

This means, at its heart, shepherding.

Leading the church while being led by the Holy Spirit to be faithful to the gospel here in this congregation.

Sometimes that will be through one-on-one interactions, sometimes through programs or classes.

Everything, though, is done with our greatest concern being the welfare and continued growth of the church given to our care.

Does that mean that the ideas of the rest of the church don’t matter? Never think that!

Everyone in the church is gifted in particular ways, and in ways the elders, often, are not as gifted.

So if you have ideas or ministries, bring them to the elders.

Because it is our job to help keep us all moving in the same direction no matter who the Holy Spirit might use to bring the need to light.

Then, finally, the elders “admonish you”.

They teach, gently reproving everyone, including themselves.

This is more than simply correcting mistakes or errors;

It is about encouraging you in your growth in the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is about giving you even more reasons to love and obey Him.

Yes, this is primarily the work of the Holy Spirit, but it can be through the work of the elders that the Holy Spirit’s work is built up and established in the church.

That is certainly our hope and prayer.

So the purpose of respecting those who work on your behalf is found at the end of our passage today: Be at peace among yourselves.

How many churches have been ripped at the seams over people teaming up in one camp for or against a pastor, teacher, or leader?

Does ANYONE believe that kind of animosity is of God?

We see the danger even in the Bible, with the church of Corinth taking sides saying “I am of Paul” or “I am of Apollos”.

In the 1st chapter of the first letter to the Corinthians, they earned the rebuke of Paul for this factionalism.

Paul and Apollos were not divided. They were not separated from Christ.

They each had a job, a ministry, a place of service to the church.

And, I am sure, Apollos did not do the work the same way Paul did, or that Peter did.

But the fact is that God had HIM there at that time to do the work as he was led by the Holy Spirit.

So we must be very careful to never, even in our own hearts, to set one leader over against another.

To consider that one authentic leader is doing the work of ministry the correct way, and anyone who does not do it the same way is incorrect.

There are great pastors, faithfully preaching the word of God every week, who will never be published, who will never be seen on YouTube or Facebook.

And while I hope our own Facebook videos help someone, I would encourage you who are watching right now to be a part of a Bible-teaching church in your own community.

To be a faithful member, a vital part, of the ministry there.

And to submit yourselves to THAT church’s leadership, no matter if you think the video preacher might disagree with something there.

The church Jesus established was not one simply of watching sermons or discussions, but of being an active part of the service of the gospel in YOUR community.

Watching sermons or teaching videos is no substitute for the fellowship of a local congregation.

These should, we hope, simply to encourage you in your experience with Christ.

Some who may watch may be homebound or in a care facility, unable to attend a local church.

To you, I would encourage you to share the gospel with those you do come in contact with.

To pray for those who are in need.

To pray for us here at Alex City Reformed to be ever-faithful to the gospel of God.

And to support the work of the ministry of the gospel in any way you are able.

In addition to respecting the work of the elders, we are told to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.

We should not look at the elders as mere servants to be utilized, but as examples of service each of us should try to emulate or exceed.

To regard them “super-exceedingly” in love.

And toward that end, I offer three final suggestions:

1. Do the things they teach from Scripture.

There is no greater honor for a teacher of the gospel than to see the things the Scripture teaches put into practice.

That is, in a very real sense, a reward right here.

We do pray for you, and, in most cases, we are praying for things about you that you are not even aware of.

Sins or tendencies that do not call for immediate intervention are quite often the subject of our prayers for you.

As John puts them “sins not leading to death.”

We pray for the Lord to strengthen weaknesses we see in you, and we do appreciate when you pray in the same way for us.

So when we teach, if there is an application we make that might help you, we pray that you will make use of that suggestion rather than telling yourself “Wow, such-and-such really needed to hear that.”

I can tell you, when I have said those words, I have almost always found that it was me standing in the need of prayer about that failing.

2. Forgive our weaknesses in love and loyalty.

We will not be perfect, and our lives are much more on display than many others.

With as many words as we speak, even when we are trying relentlessly to say them exactly right, we will mis-speak or be mis-heard.

Teachers need grace as much as any others, and we need it from those who hear.

Never be guilty of speaking against an elder who is serving faithfully, even if you consider he is doing so poorly or that he could serve better.

If we are wrong, certainly bring it to our attention so we can correct our statement or explain the meaning we had.

But like one preacher friend long ago said, “Come to me with Scripture, not simply with hurt feelings or disagreement.”

We are happy to search the scriptures with you, even over months, to help us both find the right answer.

3. Which brings us to: Give us the benefit of the doubt in Scriptural interpretation.

“Us” meaning your local leaders if you are watching on video.

Now, this doesn’t mean the local elders will always be correct, but it should be our ASSUMPTION that they, who have the most close and earnest care for our souls, would be the most interested in helping us discover the correct answer.

Give your local pastor or elders the opportunity to be heard, understood, and believed in preference to commentators or preachers who do not know your name.

Because the basis of our beliefs is NOT the preacher, but the Scripture.

And the elders of our local church are the ones who have been given the responsibility by God to help us work out those questions in the light of Scripture.

I rely often, when I experience a difficulty in interpretation or application of a passage, on the counsel and prayer of Aaron in the matter.

Finally, it is our hope and confidence as elders that God will continue to develop and raise up more men to serve as elders for this congregation.

And we pray often toward that.

Because ultimately that should be the goal of each man in the church,

To be ready and prepared for the time when God will call him to this work of service.