1 Thessalonians 5:13
in 1 Thessalonians 5In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
KJV
And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
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This verse in 1 Thessalonians 5
Commentary
13 notes on this verseA commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
At the same time, the word "work," teaches ministers that, while claiming the reverence due to their office, it is not a sinecure, but a "work"; compare "labor" (even to weariness: so the Greek), 1Th 5:12. be at peace among yourselves--The "and" is not in the original.
This site's exposition
we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge
on 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
The letter turns to church order: acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who preside over you in the Lord and give you instruction. In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work grounds the honor in the work.
This site's exposition
hold them in highest regard
Highest regard renders a doubled word, more than abundantly in John Wesley's reading. The reason given is the work, and Jamieson, Fausset and Brown add that the office is hard labor to the point of weariness. Peace with one another guards that bond from both sides.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
How is it that ye wish to instruct the elect of the Lord, while ye yourselves have no instruction? Instruct one another therefore, and be at peace among yourselves, that I also may stand joyful before your Father, and give an account of you all to the Lord.
"But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves." For Christ indeed has subjected them with so strict a necessity, that He says, "The Scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat. All things therefore whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works." (Matt. xxiii. 2, 3) And since he had said, "build each other up," lest they should think that he raised them to the rank of teachers, he has added, See, however, that I gave leave to you also to edify one another, for it is not possible for a teacher to say everything. "Them that labor among you," he says, "and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you." And how, he says, is it not absurd? If a man stand up for thee before a man, thou doest anything, thou confessest thyself much indebted; but he stands up for thee before God, and thou dost not own the favor. And how does he stand up for me? thou sayest. Because he prays for thee, because he ministers to thee the spiritual gift that is by Baptism, he visits, he advises and admonishes thee, he comes at midnight if thou callest for him; he is nothing else than the constant subject of thy mouth, and he bears thy injurious speeches. What necessity had he? Has he done well or ill? Thou indeed hast a wife, and livest luxuriously, and choosest a life of commerce. But from this the Priest has hindered himself by his occupation; his life is no other than to be employed about the Church. "And to esteem them," he says, "exceeding highly in love for their work's sake; be at peace with them." Seest thou how well he is aware that unpleasant feelings arise? He does not merely say "love," but "very highly," as children love their fathers. […]
The Medieval Church2 voices
Furthermore, you owe them charity; hence, esteem them very highly in love, that is, before others. Finally, because of their work, be at peace with them. Yet some act against this. "They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks …
He did not simply say "love," but "exceedingly," as children love parents. For whoever loves Christ will also love His servant, whatever kind he may be, because through him he was deemed worthy of the dread Mysteries. If you have taken an honorable wife, do …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
Esteem them very highly - Literally, more than abundantly, in love - The inexpressible sympathy that is between true pastors and their flock is intimated, not only here, but also in divers other places of this epistle. For their work's sake - The principal ground of their vast regard for them. But how are we to esteem them who do not work at all?
5 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
They are over the people in the Lord, to distinguish them from civil magistrates, and to denote also that they are but ministers under Christ, appointed by him, and must rule the people by Christ's laws, and not by laws of their own. This may also intimate the end of their office and all their labour; namely, the service and honour of the Lord.
This is certain, that ministers and people should avoid every thing that tends to alienate their affections one from another. And the people should be at peace among themselves, doing all they can to hinder any differences from rising or continuing among them, and using all proper means to preserve peace and harmony.
And to esteem them very highly,....
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
Esteem them very highly in love - Christian ministers, who preach the whole truth, and labor in the word and doctrine, are entitled to more than respect; the apostle commands them to be esteemed ὑπερεκπερισσου, abundantly, and superabundantly; and this is to be done in love; and as men delight to serve those whom they love, it necessarily follows that they should provide for them, and see that they want neither the necessaries nor conveniences of life; I do not say comforts, though these also should be furnished; but of these the genuine messengers of Christ are frequently destitute. However, they should have food, raiment, and lodging for themselves and their household. This they ought to have for their work’s sake; those who do not work should not eat. As ministers of Christ, such as labor not are unworthy either of respect or support.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
And to esteem them very highly in love - To cherish for them an affectionate regard. The office of a minister of religion demands respect. They who are faithful in that office have a claim on the kind regards of their fellow-men. The very nature of the office requires them to do good to others, and there is no benefactor who should be treated with more affectionate regard than he who endeavors to save us from ruin; to impart to us the consolations of the gospel in affliction; and to bring us and our families to heaven.
The words behind it
13 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| ἡγεῖσθαι | hegeisthai | to esteem | G2233 → | |
| αὐτοὺς | autous | them | G846 → | 5565 times |
| ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ | huperekperissou | super overexcessively | G5228 →G1537 →G4057 → | 155 times |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| ἀγάπῃ | agape | love | G26 → | 114 times |
| διὰ | dia | because of | G1223 → | 664 times |
| τὸ | to | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἔργον | ergon | work | G2041 → | |
| αὐτῶν. | auton | of them. | G846 → | 5565 times |
| εἰρηνεύετε | eireneuete | do be at peace | G1514 → | |
| ἐν | en | among | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| ἑαυτοῖς.¶ | he'autois | yourselves. | G1438 → | 322 times |
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
ἡγεῖσθαιto esteem
hegeisthaiG2233 →
αὐτοὺςthem
autousG846 →5565 times
ὑπερεκπερισσοῦsuper overexcessively
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
ἀγάπῃlove
agapeG26 →114 times
διὰbecause of
diaG1223 →664 times
τὸthe
toG3588 →19766 times
ἔργονwork
ergonG2041 →
αὐτῶν.of them.
autonG846 →5565 times
εἰρηνεύετεdo be at peace
eireneueteG1514 →
ἐνamong
enG1722 →2738 times
ἑαυτοῖς.¶yourselves.
he'autoisG1438 →322 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Hebrews 12:14Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
it leads to
- Romans 12:18
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- 2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
- 1 Peter 1:15–16
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do,
- 1 Thessalonians 4:7
For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness.
- Matthew 5:8–9
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
- Romans 12:18
Through
James 3:18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.
it leads to
- Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
- Hosea 10:12
Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain.
- Philippians 1:11
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
- Matthew 5:9
Where this verse is studied
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About 1 Thessalonians
This page draws on 11 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Calvin, Commentary on 1 Thessalonians; John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Thessalonians 10; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Shepherd of Hermas, Shepherd of Hermas, Vision 3; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 1 Thessalonians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 1 Thessalonians.