1 Thessalonians 5:13

Contextual Overview

¹¹ So encourage each other and help each other grow stronger in faith, just as you are already doing. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. ¹¹ Wherfore comforte youre selves togedder and edifie one another even as ye do. ¹¹ Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do. ¹¹ Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing. ¹¹ So encourage each other and give each other strength, just as you are doing now. ¹¹ Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also you do. ¹¹ Wherefore, comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. ¹¹ Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

esteem: Matthew 10:40, 1 Corinthians 4:1, 1 Corinthians 4:2, 1 Corinthians 9:7-11, Galatians 4:14, Galatians 6:6

and be: Genesis 45:24, Psalms 133:1, Mark 9:50, Luke 7:3-5, John 13:34, John 13:35, John 15:17, Romans 4:17-19, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 4:3, Colossians 3:15, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, 2 Timothy 2:22, Hebrews 12:14, James 3:18

Reciprocal: Numbers 31:47 - the Levites 1 Samuel 9:6 - an honourable 2 Kings 4:13 - thou hast Proverbs 5:13 - General Matthew 9:37 - but Romans 12:18 - General Romans 16:12 - labour 1 Corinthians 1:10 - that ye Galatians 4:15 - if Philippians 2:14 - disputings Philippians 4:2 - that 1 Timothy 5:17 - rule Hebrews 13:7 - which Hebrews 13:17 - Obey

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And to esteem them very highly,.... Or, as the Ethiopic version renders it, "honour them abundantly"; for such are worthy of double honour, and to be had in reputation; they should be honourably thought of, and be high in the affections of the saints, who should esteem them better than themselves, or others in the community; and should be spoke well of, and their characters vindicated from the reproach and obloquy of others; and should be spoke respectfully to, and be honourably done by; should be provided for with an honourable maintenance, which is part of the double honour due to them in 1 Timothy 5:17 and this should be

in love; not in fear, nor in hypocrisy and dissimulation; not in word and in tongue only, but from the heart and real affection: the Syriac version renders it, "that they be esteemed by you with more abundant love"; with an increasing love, or with greater love than is shown to the brethren in common, or to private members: and that for their works' sake; for the sake of the work of the ministry, which is a good work as well as honourable; is beneficial to the souls of men, and is for the glory of God, being diligently and faithfully performed by them; on which account they are to be valued, and not for an empty title without labour.

And be at peace among yourselves. The Vulgate Latin version reads, "with them"; and so the Syriac version, connecting the former clause with this, "for their works' sake have peace with them"; that is, with the ministers of the word; do not disagree with them upon every trivial occasion, or make them offenders for a word; keep up a good understanding, and cultivate love and friendship with them; "embrace them with brotherly love", as the Ethiopic version renders the words, understanding them also as relating to ministers; a difference with them is of bad consequence, and must render their ministry greatly useless and unprofitable to those who differ with them, as well as render them very uncomfortable and unfit for it. The Arabic version renders it, "in yourselves"; as referring to internal peace in their own souls, which they should be concerned for; and which only is attained to, enjoyed, and preserved, by looking to the blood, righteousness, and sacrifice of Christ: or else it may regard peace among themselves, and with one another as brethren, and as members of the same church; which as it is for their credit and reputation without doors, and for their comfort, delight, and pleasure within, in their church state and fellowship, so it tends to make the ministers of the Gospel more easy and comfortable in their work: thus the words, considered in this sense, have still a relation to them.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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.

For their work’s sake - Not primarily as a personal matter, or on their own account, but on account of the work in which they are engaged. It is a work whose only tendency, when rightly performed, is to do good. It injures no man, but contributes to the happiness of all. It promotes intelligence, industry, order, neatness, economy, temperance, chastity, charity, and kindness in this world, and leads to eternal blessedness in the world to come. A man who sincerely devotes himself to such a work has a claim on the kind regards of his fellow-men.

And be at peace among yourselves - See the Mark 9:50 note; Romans 12:18; Romans 14:19 notes.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 13. Esteem them very highly in love — Christian ministers, who preach the whole truth, and labour in the word and doctrine, are entitled to more than respect; the apostle commands them to be esteemed υπερεκπερισσου, 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 labour not are unworthy either of respect or support.