A healthy church is a melting pot of ethic diversity, various socio-economy status’, and even opinionated people. There are always challenges to the unity of the church. The devil hates church because Jesus loves it. Where will he fight us? Unity and Love.
Ephesians 4 teaches us about this ‘body life’.There we see how Pastors are responsible for the upbringing of the saints within a particular assembly and to train those who would fulfill the ministry as a whole. The members of the local assembly all have a responsibility to each other. Reminds me of the first family when Cain killed Abel and upon being asked by God where his brother was, Cain replied— “am I my brothers keeper?”The obvious answer is—Yes. Yes, you are your brother’s keeper, helper, friend, confidant, needed defense, and intercessor. We are to ‘keep up with’ or ‘watch for’ each other. in military terms— ‘get their 6’…spiritually speaking. We are all under attack and we are all on different levels in our spiritual journey. Therefore, we desperately need each other. We are our brothers keeper… concerned and involved in their lives.
At the very beginning of verse 14 in 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul uses the words again… “you brethren”. As stated in our last post, he used this term 27 times in 1 and 2 Thessalonians alone. Paul addressed them in verse 12 with— “we beseech you brethren”. So he hasn’t changed his audience when he now says— “we exhort you brethren”. “we exhort” is the greek word: παρακαλοῦμεν (parakaloumen); which means to provoke, prod, instigate, charge, call upon. In this particular usage— ‘to strongly urge’. So taking verses 12 and 14 he said— ‘we plead with you (or beseech)’, and now he says— ‘we also strongly urge (or exhort) you’.
1 Thessalonians 5.14-15— “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”
Three people to watch for: the unruly (14a); the feeble minded (14b); the weak (14c)
Three actions to take for each: warn (14a); comfort (14b); support (14c)
One bonus action to take for everyone: patience (14d-15)
“warn them that are unruly”
“unruly” is also translated “disorderly” in scripture, and means to be ‘carelessly contrary’. Defined in 2 Thessalonians 3.6 as one who does not act as he has been taught (from truth). In other words— they are contrary to truth. It could also be said that they are ‘out of line with truth’. Someone is not acting right. Irresponsible or out of line today can look like a lot of things: The gifted member who never gets involved; The opinionated busy body who criticizes everyone; Those who threaten to withhold their tithe if they don’t get their way; The leader who stirs up dissension; Those who do not exercise there spiritual gift but criticize those who do; Those who are members, but never grow. They are all carelessly out of line. It symbolizes a soldier out of ranks. 2 Thessalonians 3.11 says their exact ‘unruliness’ was a “busybody”. Apparently this first admonition didn’t impress them so he had to repeat himself in 2 Thessalonians 3.6-11. Makes sense… they are unruly! 2 Thessalonians 3.7explains that Paul set an example, butnow uses the word “command”. He is not playing games. This is why in his first letter he said here— “warn” which means— ‘to place in mind’. In other words: to ‘remind and reason’ with believers that are ‘out of line’. This could be a deciding factor in what makes a church go from good to great. We need to act like a family. that helps each other with our blindspots.
“comfort the feebleminded”
“feebleminded” (olligopsychous) means— ‘faint hearted or of small courage under trail’. The Christian life ought to be a life of courage. If lived right, it demands courage. Your life is one that runs against the grain and up-stream to this world and yourself. The word “comfort” means— ‘close beside, soothing speech’. It indicates a personal touch, or sympathy. When someone is discouraged, maybe at that point they have little-to-no courage, it is our obligation to come along side them and with a personal touch of sympathy, demonstrate our love to them. Basically, to cleave to or put our arm around them. This also can make a church go from good to great. In a church family, families desperately need each other.
“support the weak”
“weak” (asthenes) means— ‘without vigor or strength, without adequate resources’. It is also translated “frail” or “feeble” in the scripture.It literally means— “sickly”. These folks are ‘down and out’. They need the strength of the others in the fold. To “support”means— ‘to hold on to, stick beside and to uphold’. Romans 15.1-2 says—“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.” These verses explain support in tangible ways. This is what can make a church go from good to great. A church family that takes up the slack for each other.
Here is the bonus action I mentioned above— “be patient toward all men”
Isn’t that obvious. I mean, if you are going to personally involve yourself in: warning unruly people; comforting feebleminded people; and supporting weak people— it will take patience! “patient” means— ‘long tempered’, also translated “long suffering” numerous times. Here is a disciple who does not lose patience or temper quickly with other believers. Without our patience toward each other the world can see no difference in us and them. But it says— “all men”.The world needs our long tempered attitude toward them also, else they may never hear what we have to say about their eternity. This is supernatural in nature and why it comes from a walk with the Spirit as Galatians 5 teaches us.
Logically, Paul continues with the opposite of patience in verse 15— “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” Both groups: “among yourselves”, and “to all men”. Sadly, not only are some believers today not patient, they can also be carnally vindictive. This is exactly what Paul warned of next…
“See that none render evil for evil unto any man”
No thought of retaliation should be in the mind of believer at any time to any one…period! Jesus taught on this first with His disciples in Matthew 5.39-45. Most often called the “be attitudes” or the “sermon on the mount”. But the text begins with Jesus separating his disciples “apart” and he “sat down and taught them”. The word “taught” there is for deducting teaching and not one of the 12 words for preaching in the New Testament. He was telling them how to be disciples. He was explaining the basic building blocks of being His disciple. Yet, this seems to be some of the hardest things for believers to do today. Why? We are to let God do it through us! The Bible says in multiple places— “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” It is imperative that we ‘follow’ His lead in relationships or else we will eventually hold a grudge. Leviticus 19.18 warns against this— “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.” That is NOT a healthy family!
Did you notice the correlation of— taking matters in your own hands and God saying “i am the Lord.” Is He the Lord of your life? Are you truly His disciple? Are you surrendered in other words? Are you convinced that He is good all the time and He will take care of you?
Isn’t it also interesting the correlation God makes here with— “love thy neighbor”? Leviticus was written 3460 years ago. Yet Jesus said in John 13.34— “a new commandment I give unto you…”— 1460 years later. It is “new” as in the sense of refreshed or renewed (kainos) fresh.
Could it be we need a fresh look at what it means to— loving our neighbor?