Comforting and Edifying One Another 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Paul the apostle assured the Thessalonian church members about not being “appointed … to wrath”, by using the proof that Jesus “died for us” and whether “we wake” which means “are alive” or “whether we sleep” “have already died” “we should live together with” God. In chapter five and verse eleven of his letter, Paul told the Thessalonians to “comfort” and “edify one another” with this idea where we read:

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also you do.

The verse begins, “Wherefore comfort yourselves together,...” Paul began with the word, “Wherefore” which is a conclusion word meaning “on account of, consequently, therefore and for which cause” “comfort” or “call to one's side, summon, exhort, entreat, give instructions to, admonish and beseech” “yourselves together” which refers to the Thessalonian church members doing so “reciprocally, with reduplication, mutually and toward one another”. The Thessalonian church members were to “admonish and summon” each other with the idea of Jesus returning for both the living and the dead who have put their trust and faith in Christ Jesus.

The verse goes on to say, “... and edify one another, even as also you do.” Paul added, “and edify” which means “build, restore, repair, establish and promote growth in Christian wisdom, affection, grace, virtue, holiness, piety and blessedness” “one another” which in the Greek is “heis heis” and means “as one and only one” “even as also” which means “just as and indeed in the manner” “you do” which refers to “make, produce, construct, form, fashion, make ready, acquire and provide”. Paul desired for the Thessalonians to “build one another up” with the “return of the Lord Jesus”even though he knew they already practiced this among one another.

When we think about Paul's words, we can understand why Paul's words would bring “comfort” and “edification” to the church of Thessalonica. Since they were worried about the death of those who were part of the faith and whether they would be with Jesus, Paul was able to dispel any erroneous ideas concerning the coming of the Lord. They were to remind one another, “the Lord is coming again”, and should one of them be overly concerned about their loved one who had died in the faith, they could remind one another, “we shall see them again”. Perhaps we need “comfort” and “edification” today. Perhaps we have been worried about loved ones who have passed away. We too will find “exhortation” and “restoration” as we remember, Jesus is coming again, and those who have “preceded” us will be with Him when He comes. “Even so come, Lord Jesus” we pray.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonian church members to “know them” who“labor among” and have “authority over them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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