11 “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11–13 (ESV)
The following excerpt is taken from sermons preached by Gil Rugh, Senior Pastor at Indian Hills Community Church (IHCC) in Lincoln, NE. The text has been edited and condensed by IHCC staff and may contain some material from adjacent sermons in the series.
Paul closed this section of 1 Thessalonians exhorting us to “encourage one another, and build up one another.” The fact we can look forward to an eternity with Christ is to be an encouragement to us, and to those believers with whom we are in fellowship. We are to remind each other Christ is coming back to take us with Him, whether we are alive or dead. Nothing can keep us from being brought together with Him.
Beginning in verse 12, Paul addressed one of the key factors involved in the maturity of a church: godly leadership. Today, it seems that the first consideration of most churches is the size of the church. However, a church can be very large and not necessarily be a godly and biblical church. In like manner, a church can also be very small and not be godly. A church is only effective when it is operating in the manner that God has outlined, and is producing people who are characterized by godliness.
One of the major factors enabling a church to accomplish God’s purpose is godly leadership. There are three factors involved in developing a godly church: sound biblical teaching, godly leadership, and service to other believers. When these three factors are working together, the church will be operating in the manner that God has intended.
The first area of responsibility, where a leader is to toil, is where they “have charge over you.” Literally, this phrase means “standing before.” The leaders in the church are to be standing before us, assuming responsibility for our leadership. 1 Timothy illustrates this truth. In describing the qualifications of a leader, or elder, Paul says, “He must be one who manages his own household well… (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?)” (1 Timothy 3:4-5). The word “manages” is the same word used for “charge” in 1 Thessalonians 5:12, indicating the responsibility the leaders have in standing over us. (See also 1 Timothy 3:12, 5:17)
Secondly, the expression “in the Lord” shows clearly that this appointment is not a human one. Instead, it is based upon our relationship with the Lord. A leader is appointed over the body by virtue of being in Christ. This points out the importance of the church in functioning biblically regarding leadership. Why? Rebellion against God’s appointed leaders is rebellion against God, Himself. One cannot be a spiritual man or woman and be in rebellion against God’s appointed leaders. This encompasses every facet of leadership that is outlined in the Bible, including the leadership of the man in the household, and the political leadership that God has placed over society. Now, of course our obedience to the Lord comes first. If a leader in any realm asks us to act contrary to the Word, we must disobey. But in most cases, rebellion against a leader occurs, not because of theology, but because of personality.
The third area leaders are to be laboring in is “admonish.” This word means “to put in the mind.” The great Greek scholar A.C. Robertson said, regarding this word, “it means ‘to put sense into the head of the people.’ ” Leaders are responsible for educating the people in their knowledge of the Word of God. In the context of verse 12, they are to be calling attention to our shortcomings and failures, correcting our faulty behavior.
In verse 13. Paul says, “and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.” We are to “esteem” them, or to hold them in “high regard.” You may think, “that seems obvious. I wonder why Paul wrote this instruction?” The worldly pattern, when leadership is exercised, is to ridicule, and complain about the leadership that is in place. The flesh reacts to leadership by rebelling against the very leaders they may have elected. The danger is this behavior creeps into the church as well. Soon, we begin to view the leaders in the church with distrust and suspicion. But Paul says we are to hold them in “esteem.”
Paul used the expression “in love.” This phrase helps to understand what our attitude is to be. Love causes us to value and esteem others beyond all realism. Have you ever been in love? Did you ever listen to someone describe someone they love? Do they tell you about all their negative qualities? No! They look beyond the faults. They only see the good points about that person. This is what Paul is referring. We need to look at our leaders in love, and appreciate them beyond all reason.
Paul continued “…because of their work.” This phrase puts our love in perspective. We are not to love our leaders because of their wonderful, shiny personality. It has nothing to do with personality. We are to love them “because of their work” This is a reminder that it is the Spirit of God who has placed them over the body, and we are to recognize and appreciate their value. It doesn’t matter if you relate to your leaders as people, or not. The appreciation is to come because of their work for the Lord.
Finally, Paul said “…live in peace with one another.” Paul’s tone changes, from a request to an imperative. He is giving a command. We must connect this command with the proper context. What it shows is the importance of a proper attitude toward leadership for maintaining peace in the body. If the body does not have a proper attitude toward its leaders, peace in the body will not be accomplished. When the body responds properly to the leadership over the body, the leaders are able to perform better than they would have otherwise because the church is functioning in a biblical way.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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