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.
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.
Fourth, believers in Christ are to “be patient with them all.” To be patient (μακροθυμεῖτε; makrothymeite) is a present, active, plural imperative verb. The church is to presently, actively, collectively and obediently exhibit internal and external control in difficult circumstances. To be patient means to be long-suffering (Matt. 18:26, 29; 1 Cor. 13:4; Heb. 6:15; James 5:7, 8; 2 Peter 3:9). It also means forbearance and it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22).
The phrase “with them all” in the context refers to the idle, the fainthearted and the weak. Why? It is because ministry to people who prefer to be idle, tend to be fainthearted, and are weak tend to frustrate other believers who are not idle, fainthearted or weak.
One author expressed it as follows. “Respect the old when you are young. Help the weak when you are strong. Confess your faults when you are wrong. Because one day you will be old, weak and wrong.”
“Paul tells us to show patience to all, including the three groups mentioned above (1 Thess. 5:14). Peace comes to the church only as we bear with one another’s quirks and shortcomings,” states Dr. R. C. Sproul.
John Calvin comments that “severity must be tempered with some degree of [leniency], even in dealing with the unruly.”
“We must show patience to everyone, even those with whom it is hardest to be patient. After all, Christian growth is a slow process, and it takes time to mature in the faith. If we do not bear with one another, there will be no space for any of us to grow. We are not to tolerate gross sin, but we are to be exceedingly patient with one another,” concludes Dr. Sproul.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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