1 Thessalonians 5:12-15

 12: But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,

13: and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 14: We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
15: See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.

*** 

Paul & Co. made a request that the Thessalonians appreciate and highly esteem those who diligently labored among them—the ones who had "charge” over them in the Lord and gave them instruction. Paul’s practice seemed to have been to ordain elders in every Church not long after establishing it (Acts 14:23). Having charge over them in the Lord meant that the elders didn’t have charge over their worldly affairs, but that they labored to instruct and lead the Thessalonian Church in the way of the Lord. The ones who were called to these positions cared for the spiritual life and growth of the ones in their care. Paul said to esteem them highly in love. This was a relationship based on love, not a forced submission or arrogant rule.

He continued with instructions to everyone regarding their relations with one another. He requested that they live in peace with each other, yet he said to admonish the unruly. This referred to those who would not work to support themselves, expecting others to take care of them. He addressed these ones more severely in 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12. They were to be admonished—warned—with their fault being brought to their attention and then directed toward proper behavior.

Not taking care of oneself selfishly puts the responsibility for a person’s life and care onto someone else. We expect this of the immature, disabled, or those going through temporary times of trouble, but to make it a regular and permanent way of life is not right. Paul called these people unruly and said they needed to be addressed.

Paul urged the Thessalonians to encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. There are times a person needs encouragement and help. We are to help each other through these difficult times. It’s often quite rewarding to help someone through a struggle. Yet it might be more difficult when we find ourselves irritated or impatient with another person. Patience is something we are to show toward everyone all the time. Impatience tries to catch us off guard since opportunities to be impatient might spring up anytime, anywhere, with anyone.

Paul continued and said to see to it that no one repaid evil with evil, but that they would always seek that which is good for all people. This inner attitude of the heart which desires good for others flows from the Spirit of God within us toward everyone—believer or not. The love of God does not pick and choose who it is directed toward. You love, not because of who they are, but because of who you are.

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