A Peaceful Church
1 Thessalonians 5:13
A healthy church strives to make and keep peace in the church.
#church
#relationships
#peace
Published January 16th, 2021
Introduction
Main point summary
1 Thes. 5:13 Discourse
Discourse Explanation
1 Thess. 5:12-13 Key Words
Commentary
notes
Introduction
The Thessalonian church was not a perfect church. But, they were a model church. Paul is not correcting them in these final instructions (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22). Rather, he is encouraging them to continue to be the model church. No matter how good a church is, there is always room for growth to become better.
Main point summary
The foundation of healthy relationships in the church is peace.
1 Thes. 5:13 Discourse
editing
NT
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
esv
We ask you, brothers,
to respect those who labor among you and n are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
and to esteem them very highly in love
series
because of their work.
ground
ideaexplanation
o Be at peace among yourselves.
Interesting that this statement comes between the relationships to leaders and one another.
discourse
Discourse Explanation
vv. 2a-b | Idea/Explanation (Id-Exp): The idea is the request being made (v. 12a). The explanation of the idea is the contents of the request being made (vv. 12b-13a). vv. 12b-13a | Series (S): The explanation of the request is listed in a series connected by the conjunction, "and." The "ask" is "to respect" and "to esteem." v. 13b | Ground (G): The reason as to why one should respect and esteem vv.12a-13c | Series (S): 13c The "and" or "next" is implied. 13c is a statement that stands on its own.
1 Thess. 5:12-13 Key Words
Respect (G1492) - to know or to see; used here Hebraistically to have regard for, pay attention to, or to cherish. Labor (G2872) - to labor with wearisome effort, to toil Admonish (G3560) - to admonish, warn, exhort Esteem (G2233) - to lead; to lead before the mind, to suppose, consider, esteem. Peace (G1514) - to make peace.
Commentary
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
mine
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.
Paul addresses the relationship between the leadership [pastor(s)] and the people. The people are instructed to respect and esteem the leadership. See commentary on verses 12 and 13 (https://biblearc.com/author/Paul_Etterling/A_Healthy_Church_Rightly_Relating_to_Pastors/).
Be at peace
Peace is the absence of conflict. The underlying idea is reconciliation. The result of reconciliation is unity. Where there is reconciliation resulting in unity, there is peace. The statement indicates that the Thessalonians were to make peace and to live in peace.
among yourselves.
Although, this statement is included in verse 13. It is a statement that stands on its own. It stands between the instructions concerning relating to the leadership (vv. 12-13) and relating to one another (vv. 14-15). Peace in the church is greatly dependent upon the leadership. However, everyone is responsible for making and keeping peace. "Among yourselves" applies to both leadership and the congregation.
phrasing
Comments
Disclaimer: The opinions and conclusions expressed on this page are those of the author and may or may not accord with the positions of Biblearc or Bethlehem College & Seminary.