Paul's Exhortations to the Thessalonian Church Volume 33

Paul Exhorts them to Esteem their Faithful Pastor's Highly

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. KJV

Paul, having finished his re-education of these believers in Thessalonica on the events of the 2nd Coming of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, now turns immediately into declaring to them and to us today of many different kinds of exhortations that should be taking place among them and their congregation beginning with, "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;" (1 Thessalonians 5:12) (KJV). The English word 'beseech' is translated by the Greek word erotao which means by implication to request, to ask, or to desire of one. The English word 'know' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word eido which is a primary verb meaning to be aware of or to be sure of or to recognize. The little English phrase 'them which labour' is translated by one Greek word kopiao which means those who work hard at preaching the Gospel of Christ and teaching the Word of God to them. In other words, Paul's first exhortation or incitement to these new believers in Thessalonica is that they would recognize and esteem highly those whom our Lord Jesus Christ has charged with the task of being a steward of the Word of God and of getting out said Word in the world. Therefore, gossiping or gabbing or badmouthing the Pastor in the Church at Thessalonica was to be thought of as doing so to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. For they are placed by Christ Jesus our Lord 'over' them and this little English word is translated by the Greek word proistemi which means to stand before, that is, (in rank) to preside, or (by implication) to practise: - maintain, be over, rule. The English word 'admonish' is translated by the Greek word noutheteo meaning to put in mind, that is, (by implication) to caution or reprove gently: - admonish, warn.

In other words, there must be order in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, therefore, it is He (Christ) who appoints some as Pastors and Teachers just as Paul declared to the Ephesian believers with these words, "He Who descended is the [very] same as He Who also has ascended high above all the heavens, that He [His presence] might fill all things (the whole universe, from the lowest to the highest). And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. His intention was the perfecting {and} the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the Church), [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ {and} the completeness found in Him." (Ephesians 4:10-13) (Amplified Bible).

These men of God have been appointed by Christ to have authority over these believers in the Church @ Thessalonica in order that there would be order in the congregation during every aspect of its existence here on the earth in every public gathering of the saints just as Paul instructed the Corinthian Church, "What then, brethren, is [the right course]? When you meet together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a disclosure of special knowledge {or} information, an utterance in a [strange] tongue, or an interpretation of it. [But] let everything be constructive {and} edifying {and} for the good of all. If some speak in a [strange] tongue, let the number be limited to two or at the most three, and each one [taking his] turn, and let one interpret {and} explain [what is said]. But if there is no one to do the interpreting, let each of them keep still in Church and talk to himself and to God. So let two or three prophets speak [those inspired to preach or teach], while the rest pay attention {and} weigh {and} discern what is said. But if an inspired revelation comes to another who is sitting by, then let the first one be silent. For in this way you can give testimony [prophesying and thus interpreting the divine will and purpose] one by one, so that all may be instructed and all may be stimulated {and} encouraged; For the spirits of the prophets (the speakers in tongues) are under the speaker's control [and subject to being silenced as may be necessary], For He [Who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion {and} disorder but of peace {and} order. As [is the practice] in all the Churches of the saints (God's people)" (1 Corinthians 14:26-33) (Amplified Bible).

Paul now declares to them how these men are to be looked upon by the entire congregation of the Church @ Thessalonica by saying, "And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves." (1 Thessalonians 5:13) (KJV). The little English phrase 'to esteem' is translated by one Greek word hegeomai meaning figuratively to deem, that is, consider: - to think much of having an attitude of admiration. The little English phrase 'very highly' is translated by one Greek word perissos meaning (in the sense of beyond); superabundant (in quantity) or superior (in quality); by implication excessive; preeminence: - exceeding abundantly above, more abundantly, exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more. In other words, because they have been appointed to such labor by our Lord Jesus Christ, then they are to be thought of as Christ repesentative here on the earth in the Church, His messenger of truth which is His Word or His under Sheperd (1 Peter 5:1-4) and as they are obeying Christ in their leadership of His Church, so should these Thessalonian believers and we believers today and of every generation and era obey them just as the Apostle Paul wrote in Hebrews with these words, "Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [continually recognizing their authority over you], for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls {and} guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account [of their trust]. [Do your part to] let them do this with gladness and not with sighing {and} groaning, for that would not be profitable to you [either]." (Hebrews 13:17) (Amplified Bible).

The little English phrase 'And be at peace' is translated by one Greek word eireneuo meaning to be (act) peaceful: - be at (have, live in) peace, live peaceably. In other words, the life in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ should be one of quietness of soul among fellow believers, not chaos, turmoil, fighting, backbiting, and all other sinful things that would hurt one another, this is the same way Paul closed his final letter to the Church @ Corinth when he said, "Finally, brethren, farewell (rejoice)! Be strengthened (perfected, completed, made what you ought to be); be encouraged {and} consoled {and} comforted; be of the same [agreeable] mind one with another; live in peace, and [then] the God of love [Who is the Source of affection, goodwill, love, and benevolence toward men] and the Author {and} Promoter of peace will be with you." (2 Corinthians 13:11) (Amplified Bible) and let us always and at all times remember these words of the Apostle Paul to the believers in Rome, "Love does no wrong to one's neighbor [it never hurts anybody]. Therefore love meets all the requirements {and} is the fulfilling of the Law." (Romans 13:10) (Amplified Bible).

"Get acquainted with them and esteem the leaders. The idlers in Thessalonica had evidently refused to follow their leaders in Church activities. We need wise leadership today, but still more wise following. An army of captains and colonels never won a battle." Robertson's Word Pictures

"They are called labourers, and should not be loiterers. They must labour with their people, to instruct, comfort, and edify them. Ministers are to rule their people also, so the word is rendered. They must rule, not with rigour, but with love. They must not exercise dominion as temporal lords; but rule as spiritual guides, by setting a good example to the flock. They are over the people in the Lord, to distinguish them from civil magistrates, and to denote also that they are but ministers under Christ, appointed by Him, and must rule the people by Christ's laws, and not by laws of their own. This may also intimate the end of their office and all their labour; namely, the service and honour of the Lord. They must also admonish the people, and that not only publicly, but privately, as there may be occasion. They must instruct them to do well, and should reprove when they do ill. It is their duty not only to give good counsel, but also to give admonition, to give warning to the flock of the dangers they are liable to, and reprove for negligence or what else may be amiss." Matthew Henry

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…