April 10 / I Thess. 5:12-28

I Thessalonians 5:12-28

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. (vv. 12-13) That short phrase, “in the Lord” is important. When I first read it, I thought Paul might be referring to employers and politicians as well as Christian leaders, but upon a re-read it’s clear Paul is speaking about their Christian leaders. At first glance it might also seem like Paul is a bit self-serving, since he is one who labors among them. But you may recall (Acts 18:3) his labor in Corinth with Aquila and Priscilla (and later he will justify his “paying his own way”), so he is defending other Christian leaders and not setting himself above anyone. One other item here – I wonder who it is in Thessalonica that is in leadership? Paul seems to have spent so little time there, having been run out of town. Did Timothy go back and appoint leaders? Or was it maybe converted Jews who knew the Old Testament scriptures well and were taught by Paul those essential prophetic verses that applied to Jesus? Then again, leadership may naturally have evolved. Just wondering…

…always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. (v. 15b) It’s good that Paul added “and to everyone”. Earlier in this reading he is speaking only of Christians. He follows that up with a bunch of commands in verses 16 through 22. It’s a good listing. I asked myself if I was obeying all those commands. Sadly, I fail miserably on “pray without ceasing”. But our Christian leaders today are saying the same thing, encouraging us to pray constantly for those many needs around us. I’m thankful for “prayer warriors”, but that does not dismiss me to being more active in my prayer life.

Now on to II Thessalonians!

Slava Bohu!