1 Thessalonians 5:12-15
5:12 a honor (or know): This may be a call either to honor church leaders or to recognize the emerging leaders in the church (1 Cor 16:15-16 b). True leaders ... work hard (1 Tim 4:10 c; 5:17 d) and govern to serve (Matt 20:25-28 e). They preside over, as well as help and protect, the church (Rom 16:1-2 f; 1 Tim 3:4-5 g, 12 h).• give you spiritual guidance: Leaders correct both moral and doctrinal errors (Acts 20:31 i; 1 Cor 4:14 j; Col 1:28 k).
5:13 l Leaders were to receive honor and love not because of their high position but because of their work.
• live peacefully: Teaching about community peace and harmony was a standard topic in ancient moral instruction. Harmony between believers and leaders was especially important because of the persecution the church suffered (2:14 m).
5:14 n The responsibility for the moral progress of the congregation does not rest solely with the leaders (4:18 o; 5:11 p). Paul urged the church to warn those who are lazy, that is, those who were “disorderly,” and who did not live by the apostles’ instructions (see 2 Thes 3:6-15 q).
• Take tender care of those who are weak, or those who have no economic or social power. Greek society denigrated the weak.
• Instead of being irritable, believers should be patient in their relationships (Gal 5:23 r; Eph 4:2 s).
5:15 t Jesus and the apostles warned against retaliation (Matt 5:38-48 u; Luke 6:27-36 v; Rom 12:17-21 w; 1 Pet 3:9 x). The Roman author Seneca, by contrast, considered revenge legitimate and necessary as a way of restoring social honor lost because of ill treatment from others. Paul calls Christians to do good—both to members of the church (each other) and to those outside the Christian community (to all people), including their persecutors (1 Thes 2:14 y; see 3:12 z; Gal 6:10 aa).
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