1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Meaning and Application

In these words, the apostle urges the Thessalonians to several duties.

First, he speaks about how believers should treat one another. They are to comfort one another, or encourage one another, and to build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). The same word can mean either comfort or exhort, and both ideas fit here. People who know how to strengthen themselves by God’s word are often best able to strengthen others. We should care not only about our own peace and good, but also about the peace and good of others. Cain asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” but a Christian should be willing to bear another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.

They are also to edify one another, that is, to help one another grow in faith and holiness, as in Romans 14:19. Christians are like living stones being built together into a spiritual house, so they should work for the good of the whole church by helping grace grow in one another. Each of us should aim to say and do what truly helps those around us. This includes sharing knowledge and personal experience, joining together in prayer and praise, and setting a good example. Those who live near one another, especially in the same home or neighborhood, have the greatest chance and the greatest duty to do this kind of good. The Thessalonians were already doing this, and Paul urges them to continue and increase.

People who already do good still need more urging to keep doing it and do even more.

Second, Paul turns to their duty toward their ministers, as in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13. Though Paul had been forced away from them, they still had other ministers who labored among them, and they owed them proper respect. He describes ministers by their work, not by titles that sound honorable. Their work is weighty, useful, and worthy of honor.

Ministers must labor among their people. The word suggests hard work, even toil to the point of weariness. They labor in teaching and doctrine (1 Timothy 5:17). They are called workers, so they should not be idle. They labor with their people by instructing, comforting, and building them up. They also must rule, but not harshly. They are not to act like civil rulers over subjects, but like spiritual guides who lead by love and by example. They are over the people in the Lord, which shows that they serve under Christ and must govern by Christ’s laws, not their own. Their whole office is for the service and honor of the Lord. They must also warn and correct the people, both publicly and privately when needed. They should teach what is right, reprove what is wrong, and give warning about dangers and neglect.

The people, in turn, have duties toward their ministers. There is a shared duty between pastors and people. If ministers labor among the flock, then the flock must know them. As a shepherd knows his sheep, so sheep should know their shepherd. They should know his person, listen to his voice, recognize him as their pastor, and pay proper attention to his teaching, leading, and warnings. They must also esteem their ministers very highly in love, valuing the work of the ministry and honoring the men who faithfully carry it out. They should do this because of their work, since that work serves Christ’s honor and the good of people’s souls. Faithful ministers should not be looked down on because of their work. Rather, their work gives them honor, and it often earns them the respect and love of good people that they might not otherwise receive.

Third, Paul gives several other instructions about Christian duty toward one another.

They are to be at peace among themselves (1 Thessalonians 5:13). Some understand this as a duty of the people toward their ministers, meaning they should live peacefully with them and avoid any quarrels that would hinder the ministry. That is certainly true. Ministers and people should avoid anything that weakens affection between them. The people should also live peacefully with one another, doing all they can to stop disagreements from starting or growing, and using every proper means to keep peace and harmony.

They are to warn the unruly, that is, those who walk out of order and do not keep their place (1 Thessalonians 5:14). This is not only the work of ministers, but also of private Christians. Such people should be corrected for their sin, warned about their danger, and told plainly how they harm their own souls and may injure others. They should be reminded of what they ought to do and rebuked for doing otherwise.

They are to comfort the fainthearted, or those who are timid, discouraged, or full of grief (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Some are afraid of hardship and feel weak when they think about danger, loss, or suffering. These people should be encouraged, not treated with contempt. A kind and comforting word may do them great good.

They are to support the weak (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Some are not able to do all they should, or to carry their burdens well. Such people should be helped, their weaknesses should be supported, and their load should be lifted where possible. God’s grace must strengthen and uphold them, but we should remind them of that grace and seek to bring its help to them.

We must be patient toward all people (1 Thessalonians 5:14). We need to bear with one another and put up with what irritates us. We should be slow to anger and hold it back if we start to feel hurt by insults or wrongs. At the very least, we must control our anger. This duty applies to everyone, whether good or bad, high or low. We should not set our expectations too high, make sharp demands, or respond harshly to offenses. Instead, we should try to make the best of things and think as well as we reasonably can of everyone.

We must not repay evil for evil to anyone (1 Thessalonians 5:15). We need to watch ourselves carefully here and refuse, by all means, to get revenge. If someone wrongs us, that does not give us permission to answer with the same harm, or anything like it. We should forgive, since we are forgiven by God and hope to be forgiven by him.

We should always follow what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:15). In general, we must aim to do our duty and please God in every situation, whether people treat us kindly or badly. Whatever others do to us, we should keep doing good to others. We should always try to be helpful and to promote the good of others, especially among believers, those of the household of faith, and then, as we have opportunity, to all people (Galatians 6:10).