Bible Study
October 1, 2025 (CSB)
1 Thessalonians 5:12 – 15 (CSB)
“Counsel Requires Great Wisdom”
“Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.”
Each of the churches Paul wrote to was unique. This church for example the apostles was teaching them concerning a variety of issues beginning with the church’s relationship with its immerging leadership.
In the Greek and Roamn society leadership was based on status and social work while the leadership in Thessalonica was based on the hard work they did for the congregation. The Thessalonians should honor their leadership and work to live in harmony with one another.
It takes great wisdom to shepherd God’s people. Part of that responsibility to understand the different seasons of a person’s life. For those who are idle Paul says we should warn them. Comfort them and work with them when they are out of fellowship with Jesus.
The discouraged are the disheartened those in danger of giving up. There were most likely many because of the persecution the church endured and the deaths of other believers. The “weak” who may have suffered or who are suffering from some type of illness or those who had no social status or power such as a slave. But we should not stop here; we should exercise patience toward everyone. As you can see there were many opportunities.
Part of the teaching concerning relationships was that of non-retaliation. This was an important topic concerning these people because of surrounding community and internal problems within the body. Paul, like Jesus counsels the church to do good to the one who caused the offense.
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 