1 Thessalonians 5:12

“But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you”

John Stott entitles this section, “How to be. gospel church”. In reading this portion of Scripture it seems that evidently there were some problems at Thessalonica, or members who needed particular instruction and encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

“To know them”: “Recognize them for what they are” (Vincent p. 47). “The idea of knowing fully, appreciating at their true worth. It indicates that they had not realized as they should the rightful position of the people in question, and they are called upon to learn the true situation” (Morris p. 165). “Knowing the worth of. person and hence showing them appropriate respect, 1 Corinthians 16:18” (Marshall pp. 146-147). “That labor”: “Normally refers to manual occupations. It means to 'toil, strive, struggle and to grow weary in doing so'” (Stott p. 119). The word "labor" is often applied to the work engaged by evangelists and elders (1 Peter 1:22; Colossians 1:29). This should remind us that these fields of service are not for the lazy and unmotivated. Fulfilling the task of an evangelist or elder, doing the job right, will involve hard work. “Among you”: Elders oversee the congregation in which they are members (1 Peter 5:2; Acts 14:23). “Are over you”: To stand before, to preside, or be over, rule. “Lit., those who stand in front of you” (Robertson p. 36). “Lit., who are placed before you” (Vincent p. 47). “Originally to ‘put oneself at the head' or ‘go first'. Then metaphorically it came to mean ‘protect' or ‘care for', the notions of ‘leading' and ‘caring' seem to be combined” (Stott p. 120). See 1 Timothy 3:4; 1 Timothy 3:12; 1 Timothy 5:17 and Hebrews 13:17.

“In the Lord”: It is God's desire that they shepherd the flock (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2), they are to rule in. way that pleases the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). They derive their authority from God, and it is their task to see that our lives remain in harmony with the Lord.

“It is sometimes argued that elders do not have any authority in the church because the word ‘authority' is not used of elders. With that logic parents would have no authority over their children because ‘authority' is not used of parents!” (Denton Lectures p. 186). The phrase "in the Lord" informs us that elders have the right to admonish or encourage us anytime our attitude or conduct becomes inconsistent with the Lord's will, or when it prevents us from doing His will.

“And admonish you”: To put in mind, (by implication) to caution or reprove gently: -admonish, warn. “Putting sense into the heads of people” (Robertson p. 36). This word is often associated with teaching (Colossians 1:28; Colossians 3:16). Morris notes, “While its tone is brotherly, it is big-brotherly” (p. 166). This admits that situations will arise in which the elders need to admonish various members. Those “over us in the Lord” are the elders (1 Timothy 5:17), and we always find. plurality of elders in New Testament congregations which had them (Acts 14:23; Acts 20:17; 1 Peter 1:1). They are the same group of men also known as bishops or overseers and pastors or shepherds (Acts 20:17; Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1). Definite qualifications for this work are outlined in the New Testament (1 Timothy 3:1 ff; Titus 1:5 ff). It is. sign of health in. congregation when elders admonish when needed and when the members appreciate such loving and diligent oversight of their souls.