Paul concludes his first letter with a challenge to the church at Thessalonica – and thus to all of us:
“We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work” (1 Thess 5:12-13a).
What does it mean today to respect those who labor and who are over us in the Lord and admonish us? To drag up an old saying fitting modern times, “Them’s fightin’ words! Ain’t nobody over me but Jesus!” Reciprocally, the church has always had leaders who “lord” it over everyone, making us all know how hard they work, literally holier than anyone else, and therefore worthy of setting policy without debate.
But this is not what Paul is saying. These are not a threefold hierarchy of ministry levels controlling the masses in worldly affairs, but rather only in holy things relating to the Lord himself. It is in this way that we must respect and esteem them.
Paul now lists a strong series of behaviors of perfect unity emphasized by strong, timeless, imperative verbs:
“Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess 5:13b-22).
- Be at peace;
- Admonish the idle;
- Encourage the fainthearted;
- Help the weak;
- Be patient with all;
- See that evil is not repaid;
- Seek to do good;
- Rejoice always;
- Pray without ceasing;
- Give thanks in all things;
- Do not quench the Spirit;
- Do not despise prophesies;
- Test everything;
- Hold fast what is good; and
- Abstain from every form of evil.
Fifteen behaviors that can be taught to all generations. Fifteen behaviors that can and will rejuvenate any church!
And in conclusion:
“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” (1 Thess 5:23-28).
He who calls you will sanctify you as these behaviors become habit.
On to 2 Thessalonians!