Majoring in Matters of Faith

Introduction

Paul gives to the Church of Thessalonica the message of hope. The Lord shall return to rapture all believers to himself. This hope that he offers to them is by the word of the Lord and through the work of Jesus Christ upon the cross. Given the hope that God has given to the church through his Son Jesus Paul calls upon the church to live in thankfulness to Christ by living in the faith that they have expressed in Jesus.

Modeling Respect for God’s Ministers

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.”

Paul begins this section by addressing the church’s relationship with its spiritual leaders. It’s never the most comfortable topic for a pastor to preach, because these verses speak directly about the role I stand in. Yet part of faithful preaching is declaring the whole counsel of God, not just the portions that feel convenient. So we approach these verses with humility and with obedience.

Paul says, “know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you.” This refers not only to the pastor but to all those who lead, teach, and guide God’s people in the Lord’s work. These leaders—whether pastors, deacons, teachers, or ministry heads—labor for the spiritual good of the flock.

Then Paul says we are to “esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.” To “esteem” means to regard with respect, appreciation, and affectionate regard—not because of personality, position, or preference, but because of the work:

the preaching and teaching of the Word,

the care for souls,

the discipling of believers,

the evangelizing of the lost,

the shepherding and protecting of the flock.

These are eternal labors, and Scripture calls the church to value those who commit themselves to this work.

Paul connects this esteem to unity: “And be at peace among yourselves.” Why? Because the work of the gospel flourishes where there is peace, cooperation, and shared purpose. The world needs Christ, and the church must not be distracted by conflict, strife, or division. When God’s people esteem their leaders and their leaders serve humbly, the church works in harmony and the mission advances.

Leadership in the church is a work, not a status.

Esteem is based on their labor, not personality.

Esteeming leaders helps preserve unity in the gospel work.

Managing Disorder in the Church

1 Thessalonians 5:14–15 “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”

The work of Christ is too important for the church to be distracted by disorder or division. Unity in the body allows the gospel to remain our shared priority, so Paul exhorts believers to guard that unity carefully.

He tells the church to “warn them that are unruly.” The unruly are those who refuse to live under biblical order—those who resist spiritual direction, stir up trouble, or reject the responsibilities that come with following Christ. These individuals must be lovingly confronted with Scripture so that they may be restored.

Next Paul says to “comfort the feebleminded,” meaning those who are fainthearted, easily discouraged, or spiritually fragile. These believers need gentle encouragement from God’s Word so they don’t lose heart.

He continues: “support the weak.” The weak are those who struggle to remain faithful under pressure—who are easily swayed, intimidated, or tempted. They need to be upheld, strengthened, and surrounded by believers who will steady them in the truth; not indulge their whims and discretions.

Then Paul adds a command for all relationships within the church: “be patient toward all men.” Spiritual growth is a process. Restoration takes time. People do not mature overnight, so patience must be the attitude of every Christian toward every other Christian.

Finally Paul warns the church not to retaliate: “See that none render evil for evil unto any man.” Even when others act wrongly, hurt us, disrupt unity, or oppose biblical truth, we are never allowed to seek revenge. Instead, we are called to “follow that which is good,” responding with righteousness regardless of how others behave.

To sum up Paul’s message here:

Warn the disorderly with Scripture

Comfort the discouraged with the Word

Support the weak with strength and stability

Be patient with all people

Never retaliate, but pursue what is good

This is how unity is preserved. This is how the work of Christ remains unhindered. This is how the church demonstrates the character of Jesus to one another and to the world.

Marks of a God-Governed Life

1 Thessalonians 5:16–22 “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

In this passage Paul gives a rapid-fire list of essential Christian disciplines—short commands that summarize what a faithful, Spirit-filled life looks like as we wait for Christ’s return. Each of these principles grows out of the hope that we possess in Him.

Because we have hope in Christ, Paul says:

Rejoice always

Our joy is not rooted in changing circumstances but in an unchanging Savior. Even when life brings sorrow, difficulty, or uncertainty, our permanent hope in Christ gives us a reason to rejoice.

Pray without ceasing

Hope leads us to live in constant dependence on God. We pray for one another, for the weak and discouraged, and even for those who disrupt and oppose. Prayer becomes the atmosphere of the believer’s life.

Give thanks in everything

A thankful heart is the mark of a believer who trusts God’s sovereign goodness. Even in trials we give thanks—not for the pain itself, but for God’s presence, His purpose, and His promise that all things work together for good.

Paul adds that these three commands—joy, prayer, and thanksgiving—are “the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” These are not optional virtues; they are God’s daily expectation for every Christian.

Do not quench the Spirit

The Spirit of God works within us to convict us, guide us, and empower us. We quench the Spirit when we resist His promptings, ignore His conviction, or choose the flesh over obedience. Hope in Christ should make us sensitive and responsive to the Spirit’s work.

Do not despise prophesyings

This speaks directly to how we treat the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. We must never roll our eyes at truth that confronts our flesh or challenges our comfort. Instead, we humbly receive Scripture as the voice of God to His people.

Test everything; hold fast to what is good

Hope does not make us gullible. We are to measure everything we hear—every teaching, opinion, influence, or idea—by the standard of Scripture. What aligns with God’s truth we hold tightly; what does not we reject.

Abstain from every appearance of evil

Paul ends with a call to moral vigilance. We are not only to avoid evil itself, but even the appearance or suggestion of participating in it. Our hope in Christ calls us to live cleanly, wisely, and in a way that brings Him honor.

These principles portray a life shaped by hope, governed by Scripture, and yielded to the Spirit. This is what it means to live faithfully as we wait for Christ’s return.

Conclusion

1 Thessalonians 5:23–28 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

Paul ends this letter by lifting our eyes to the greatest hope we possess—the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ. This hope is not merely a doctrine; it is the anchor for all faithful living. Because Christ is coming, Paul urges believers to continue in the very things he has just instructed: to live in peace, to honor spiritual leadership, to warn against disorder, to rejoice continually, to pray persistently, to yield to the Spirit, and to cling to the Word of God.

He reminds them—and us—that sanctification is ultimately the work of “the very God of peace,” and the God who calls us is the God who completes His work in us. Our responsibility is faithfulness; God’s promise is completion.

Paul adds simple but meaningful final exhortations: pray for one another, love one another warmly, and keep the Scriptures central among God’s people. Then he closes with the blessing every believer needs—“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”

May we live with that same expectation and obedience. And may we meet Him in the air as people who have walked faithfully in His Word, upheld His calling, and lived in the hope of His appearing.