1 Thessalonians 5:25
in 1 Thessalonians 5Brothers, pray for us as well.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Brethren, pray for us.
KJV
Brethren, pray for us.
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This verse in 1 Thessalonians 5
Commentary
10 notes on this verseA commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
Brethren, pray for us - A request which the apostle often makes; notes on Heb 13:18. He was a man of like passions as others: liable to the same temptations; engaged in an arduous work; often called to meet with opposition, and exposed to peril and want, and he especially needed the prayers of the people of God. A minister, surrounded as he is by temptations, is in great danger if he has not the prayers of his people. Without those prayers, he will be likely to accomplish little in the cause of his Master.
This site's exposition
pray for us
on 1 Thessalonians 5:25-26
Brethren, pray for us turns the apostle who has prayed over the church through the whole letter into one who asks the same in return, ministry run as mutual dependence rather than one direction only. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss names the customary greeting of the early church, a physical sign of family affection carried into worship, all specifying that no member of the congregation is to be excluded from the greeting's warmth. The two short commands close the letter's practical section on the same note of mutual care that has run through the whole final chapter.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
"Brethren, pray for us also." Strange! what humility is here! But he indeed said this for the sake of humility, but we, not from humility, but for the sake of great benefit, and wishing to gain some great profit from you, say, "Pray for us also." For although you do not receive any great or wonderful benefit from us, do it nevertheless for the sake of the honor and the title itself. Some one has had children, and even if they had not been benefited by him, nevertheless, because he has been their father, he perhaps sets this before them, saying, "For one day I have not been called father by thee." On this account we too say, "Pray for us also." I am not merely saying this, but really desiring your prayers. For if I have become responsible for this presidency over you all, and shall have to render an account, much more ought I to have the benefit of your prayers. On your account my responsibilities are greater, therefore the help also from you should be greater.
The Medieval Church2 voices
Pay attention to the humility: even Paul asked for their prayers.
Finally, Paul adds certain familiar admonitions as when he urges: Brethren, pray for us.
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
Brethren, pray for us.
This great apostle did not think it beneath him to call the Thessalonians brethren, nor to request their prayers. Ministers stand in need of their people's prayers; and the more people pray for their ministers the more good ministers may have from God, and the more benefit people may receive by their ministry.
3 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. In these words observe, I. The apostle tells the Thessalonians it was needless or useless to enquire about the particular time of Christ's coming: Of the times and seasons you need not that I write unto you,
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
Some oldest manuscripts read, "Pray ye also for (literally, 'concerning') us"; make us and our work the subject of your prayers, even as we have been just praying for you (1Th 5:23). Others omit the "also." The clergy need much the prayers of their flocks.
Pray for me - Even apostles, while acting under an extraordinary mission, and enjoying the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, felt the necessity of the prayers of the faithful. God requires that his people should pray for his ministers; and it is not to be wondered at, if they who pray not for their preachers should receive no benefit from their teaching. How can they expect God to send a message by him, for whom they, who are the most interested, have not prayed? If the grace and Spirit of Christ be not worth the most earnest prayers which a man can offer, they, and the heaven to which they lead, are not worth having.
The words behind it
5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ἀδελφοί, | adelphoi | Brothers, | G80 → | 343 times |
| προσεύχεσθε | proseuchesthe | do pray | G4336 → | |
| καὶ | kai | also | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| περὶ | peri | for | G4012 → | 332 times |
| ἡμῶν.¶ | hemon | us. | G3165 → | 1936 times |
Ἀδελφοί,Brothers,
adelphoiG80 →343 times
προσεύχεσθεdo pray
proseuchestheG4336 →
καὶalso
kaiG2532 →9120 times
περὶfor
periG4012 →332 times
ἡμῶν.¶us.
hemonG3165 →1936 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
2 Corinthians 1:11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the favor shown us in answer to their prayers.
it leads to
- Philippians 1:19
because I know that through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, my distress will turn out for my deliverance.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- 2 Corinthians 4:15
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is extending to more and more people may overflow in thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
- Acts 12:5
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was fervently praying to God for him.
- Colossians 4:3
as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
- Philippians 1:19
Through
Romans 15:30Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.
it leads to
- 2 Corinthians 1:11
as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the favor shown us in answer to their prayers.
Reached by 3 separate paths from here.
- Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the…
- 2 Corinthians 1:11
Through
Philippians 1:19because I know that through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, my distress will turn out for my deliverance.
it leads to
- Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
- Acts 16:7
And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.
- Romans 8:28
Where this verse is studied
About 1 Thessalonians
This page draws on 9 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); Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Thessalonians 11; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 1 Thessalonians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 1 Thessalonians.