14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14 (ESV)
Ministry is not biblically restricted to solely those God calls into a full-time church related vocation. God calls each believer in Christ to minister to other believers in Christ. In fact, the Apostle Paul wrote the primary task of a local church pastor, or minister, is to equip the saints for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12).
Therefore, Paul’s instructive commands to the Thessalonian believers were not limited to just the church elders and pastors. They were applicable to all followers of Christ; then and now. What were these commands by Paul and how may they be applied in our lives today?
To begin with, the apostle urged the Thessalonians regarding the forthcoming commands. To urge (παρακαλοῦμεν; parakaloumen) means to presently, actively, and collectively encourage, implore and exhort. This was a compassionate and affectionate entreaty to Paul’s fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. What he was about to emphasize was important and obedience was required. However, he did not want them to perceive him as harsh.
What were these stringent commands from God, through the apostle? How are God’s people to treat others in the church and outside the church community?
First, believers are to “admonish the idle.” To admonish (νουθετεῖτε; noutheteite) is a present, active, plural imperative verb. To admonish means to instruct, teach and advise. Who are believers to admonish, instruct, teach and advise? Scripture says the idle (ἀτάκτους; ataktous). These are they who are undisciplined and disorderly. This is a word used in the military for anyone who fails in their responsibilities. In the church, it applies to those church members failing to meet the personal, family, financial, and spiritual responsibilities. Paul also addressed this idle behavior in the church in his second letter to the Thessalonians.
Second, believers are to “encourage the fainthearted.” To encourage (παραμυθεῖσθε; paramytheisthe) is a present, middle. Imperative, and plural verb. Encouragement is to be done presently, personally, obediently and collectively within the church. To encourage means to console and comfort another individual. To console and comfort someone infers the individual in question is respectively depressed and distressed.
Third, the church is to “help the weak.” To help (ἀντέχεσθε; antechesthe) is also a present, middle, plural imperative verb. It is another command to be personally, presently, obediently and collectively followed. Help means to assist someone by supplying what is needed. It also means to be devoted to others. Helping someone is always personal, never impersonal.
Whether it be at home, work, school, within one’s neighborhood, community, or church, lending a helping hand is a basic Christlike attribute. Helping can be done individually, such as snow-blowing a neighbor’s driveway in the winter, or collectively, such as being a part of a civic organization like Kiwanis or a Lions Club whose motto is “One Act of Kindness at a Time.” The church is certainly to be involved in such endeavors.
My local church is annually involved in the Great American Cleanup. It is when we as a church congregation assist other churches, and civic groups, in helping clean up various areas in the greater Fort Wayne, IN community. This is balanced by our church’s weekly activities and ministries, conducted in order to meet people’s needs and share the gospel.
This parallels the Apostle Paul’s instruction in Ephesians 2:10: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
In the immediate context, the individuals needing help from believers in Christ are the weak. Weak (ἀσθενῶν; asthenon) is an all-inclusive term referring to the sick, the physically unable, the morally unable and any other incapacity a person or people group possesses. This command is not restricted to just fellow believers helping fellow believers. Rather, it is all-inclusive.
“The weak are those who “have not yet learned to lean on the Lord as much as they should for their spiritual needs. Until they do, they need strong support from other believers. Of course, all Christians are weak and need the strength that comes from Christian fellowship, but the spiritually weak need it more than most,” comments Dr. William Hendriksen.
“Scholars differ about whom Paul is talking here. Some authors suggest that he means those who are physically or psychologically ill. Others, based on similar phrasing in 1 Corinthians 1:26–29, say that the Apostle refers to poor believers who lack standing in the community and have difficulty supporting themselves with their labor. Either way, the church must care for these people financially and in other ways that assist them. Doing so will lead to love and peace in the church,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
There is a delicate balance to maintain in helping the weak. Believers in Christ are commanded to help the weak, but never to perpetuate irresponsible and sinful practices and behaviors by such individuals.
For example, I never give money to someone who needs gas for their auto or truck. I will ask them to follow me to a gas station where I will personally fill their tank. This ensures their need is met and I am not just giving them cash. Understandably, I may be perpetuating the sin of their lying if they are not telling me the truth. I rest this in the providence of God.
I remember one instance where I filled a family’s gas tank who claimed they had no money for gas, only to find them minutes later dining at a local Wendy’s. Apparently, claiming to not have money for gas does not necessarily mean you do not have money for a hamburger. O well, you can only do what you can do.
May we pray for each other to have wisdom as we seek to help the weak today: Christian and non-Christian. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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