“warn… comfort… uphold… be patient” (1 Thess. 5:14, NKJV)
In some churches it seems like the pastor is the doer of ministry, at least the important ministry. The rest are the supporting cast, the cheerleaders, the financial backers. But actually, the pastor has the job of equipping the saints for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:11-14).
It is the body of Christ, the church community, where the various parts function for the kingdom work to be done. The fifty or so “one another” passages of the New Testament describe the body life of the church for its spiritual growth. Believers are to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, love another, confess their sins to one another, admonish one another, and all sorts of other engagements for the sake of Christ.
As the apostle winds down his letter, he addresses not the pastor but the people. “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all” (1 Thess. 5:14). Of course, the leaders of the church at Thessalonica would be included in Paul’s exhortation, but not as the exclusive doers. If anything, the leaders would be trainers and encouragers and examples for the flock.
Paul speaks to four areas where the people are to be engaged in the lives of the community. Likely, each area has to do with the various issues he has addressed in his letter, for application and reinforcement.
First, Paul says to warn the unruly. The word he uses for warn is the same one he uses in his letter to the Romans, expressing confidence in the ability of those in the pew to bring God’s word to bear in the lives of the brethren. “Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another” (Rom. 15:14).
Who are the unruly? Likely, it is those he references earlier who are not minding their own business and are freeloading on others (1 Thess. 4:11-12). Paul again brings up this group in his second letter. “For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies” (2 Thess. 3:11). These people need the firm hand of correction for their own good, the welfare of the body, and the glory of Jesus.
It’s not easy to admonish others or to receive admonishment, yet it is necessary out of love for adjustments to the righteousness and truth that are part of seeking God’s kingdom. We might think of it as remedial teaching.
Second, Paul says to comfort the fainthearted. Many of the Thessalonians were dealing with grief and confusion. Rather than running roughshod over them, they were to be handled with care. We see this modeled in our Lord Jesus, “a bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish” (Is. 42:3, NASB95).
Third, along with gentle care of those hurting Paul urges upholding those who are weak. We are to bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:1), helping them shoulder the load but not necessarily freeing them from the weight of it (Gal. 6:5). We want to allow for the weaker brother and allow for those times of doubt, fear, confusion, and the like we all experience.
Fourth, Paul says to be patient with all. It is easy for us in our pride to come down hard on others or to push them rather than direct them to Christ who is their solace and their strength. Yet, Paul’s charge to Timothy is to “reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (2 Tim. 4:2, NASB95).
We not only reprove what is wayward, we also remind what is right, and we encourage others in their journey. We allow room for the Spirit. That’s why we carry out our ministry with great patience. We exhibit meekness, that is, a gentle strength, walking with them as fellow sojourners in continual need of the grace of God and the gospel of the kingdom.
Who is someone in your proximity you can walk alongside toward Christ?
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
