Paul the
apostle told the Thessalonian church members to “know them which
labor among”, “are over” and “admonish”
them “in the Lord”. He also instructed them “to
esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake” as wells
as to “be at peace among” themselves. In chapter five and
verse fourteen of his letter, Paul continues to “exhort”
the Thessalonians as he shares four actions they are to take toward
others - “Warn, comfort, support and be patient” where we
read:
Now we
exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly,
The
verse begins, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them
that are unruly,...” Paul
began with the word “Now”
which means “but, moreover, and” “we exhort you”
or “call to one's side, call for, summon, address, entreat and
beseech you” “brethren”
which means “fellow believers, united to another by the bond
of affection” “warn”
or “admonish, exhort, caution
and reprove” “them that are unruly”
which means “people who are disorderly, out of ranks, irregular,
inordinate, immoderate and deviating from the prescribed order of
rule”. This directive implies there will be disorderly people in
the church, and when they are discovered, they are to be “admonished,
exhorted and warned”.
The
verse goes on to say, “...comfort the
feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”
Paul went on
to add, “comfort”
or “speak to, address, encourage and console” “the
feebleminded”
which refers to “the fainthearted” “support”
which means “hold before, against, back or firmly, withstand,
endure and cleave to while paying heed to” “the
weak” or
“infirm, feeble, impotent, sick and without strength” “be
patient”
which means “be of long spirit, not to lose heart, persevere
bravely while enduring misfortunes and troubles” “toward”
or “at, near, by, with and to the advantage of” “all
men” which
refers to “each, every, any, all, the
whole and everyone”.
Not only were their “unruly”
people in the church, but there were also people who were
“fainthearted”, “feeble” and in need of “patience”.
As
we consider Paul's words, we may have people come to mind who exhibit
traits such as he mentioned. Most churches have people within them
who are “feebleminded”
and “weak”, and
unfortunately there are some who are “unruly”
as well. It is comforting to know that Paul had concern in all these
areas, and in particular the idea of being “patient”
with everybody which also means “being mild and slow in bearing in
offenses and injuries of others”. His instruction was to be “slow
to anger and punishment” of everyone. Of course, we need the power
of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ to manage this trait, and it
is a wonderful idea to think that God would not have inspired Paul to
write this if His power wasn't available to keep it. We must rely
upon the Lord Jesus to give us discernment concerning the condition
of others, and should we find them “unruly, fainthearted
and weak” or in desperate need
of “patience”, may
He give us the power to live in the manner He desires.
Next
time Paul tells the Thessalonians to not to “render evil
for evil” but to “follow
that which is good”, so read
ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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