1 Thessalonians 5:14

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

exhort: or, beseech, Romans 12:1

you: 1 Thessalonians 5:12

warn: Jeremiah 6:12, Ezekiel 3:17-21, Ezekiel 33:3-9, Acts 20:27, Acts 20:31, 1 Corinthians 4:14, Colossians 1:28

that: Titus 1:6, Titus 1:10

unruly: or, disorderly, 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13

comfort: 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12, Isaiah 35:3, Isaiah 35:4, Isaiah 40:1, Isaiah 40:2, Isaiah 40:11, Ezekiel 34:16, Matthew 12:20, Luke 22:32, John 21:15-17, Romans 14:1, Romans 15:1-3, Galatians 6:1, Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 12:12

support: Acts 20:35,*Gr.

be: Isaiah 63:9, 1 Corinthians 13:4, 1 Corinthians 13:5, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 4:2, Ephesians 4:32, Ephesians 5:1, Ephesians 5:2, Colossians 3:12, Colossians 3:13, 1 Timothy 3:3, 1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 2:24, 2 Timothy 2:25, 2 Timothy 4:2, Hebrews 5:2, Hebrews 5:3, Hebrews 13:3

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 22:4 - thou shalt surely 1 Samuel 1:8 - why weepest 2 Chronicles 19:10 - warn them Job 4:4 - upholden Psalms 19:11 - Moreover Psalms 41:1 - the poor Jeremiah 31:8 - them the Ezekiel 3:21 - if thou Ezekiel 33:9 - if thou Malachi 3:16 - spake Matthew 13:28 - Wilt Acts 15:32 - exhorted Acts 18:23 - strengthening Acts 20:12 - were Romans 15:14 - able 1 Corinthians 14:3 - exhortation 1 Corinthians 14:31 - all may be 2 Corinthians 6:4 - in much Colossians 2:2 - their Colossians 4:8 - and comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:18 - Wherefore 2 Thessalonians 3:6 - walketh 2 Thessalonians 3:15 - count 1 Timothy 3:1 - desireth 2 Timothy 2:15 - rightly Titus 3:2 - all men

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Now we exhort you, brethren,.... This is said either to the ministers of the word that laboured among them, presided over them, and admonished them; and the rather, because some of these things here directed to are pressed upon the members of the church in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 and which otherwise must make a repetition here; or to the members in conjunction with their pastors:

warn them that are unruly; or disorderly, idle persons, working not at all, busying themselves with other men's matters, and living upon the church's stock, reprove them for their sloth, exhort them to work with their own hands, to do their own business, and with quietness eat their own bread; or such who keep not their places in the church, but are like soldiers that go out of their rank, desert their companies, and fly from their colours, or stand aside, rebuke these, and exhort them to fill up their places, to abide by the church, and the ordinances of Christ; or such who are contentious and quarrelsome, turbulent, headstrong, and unruly, that cause and foment animosities and divisions, check them, admonish them, lay them under censure, for such a custom and practice is not to be allowed of in the churches of Christ.

Comfort the feebleminded: such as are not able to bear the loss of near and dear relations; are ready to stagger under the cross, and at the reproaches and persecutions of the world; and are almost overset with the temptations of Satan; and are borne down and discouraged with the corruptions of their hearts, speak a comfortable word to them, encourage them with the doctrines of grace, and the promises of the Gospel.

Support the weak; who are weak in faith and knowledge, strengthen them, hold them up; or as the Syriac version renders it, "take the burden of the weak" and carry it, bear their infirmities, as directed in Romans 15:1,

be patient towards all men; towards the unruly, the feebleminded, and the weak as well as to believers; give place to wrath, and leave vengeance to him to whom it belongs; exercise longsuffering and forbearance with fellow creatures and fellow Christians.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Now we exhort you, brethren - Margin, “beseech.” This earnest entreaty is evidently addressed to the whole church, and not to the ministers of the gospel only. The duties here enjoined are such as pertain to all Christians in their appropriate spheres, and should not be left to be performed by ministers only.

Warn them - The same word which in 1 Thessalonians 5:12 is rendered “admonish.” It is the duty of every church member, as well as of the ministers of the gospel, affectionately to admonish those whom they know to be living contrary to the requirements of the gospel. One reason why there is so little piety in the church, and why so many professors of religion go astray, is, that the great mass of church members feel no responsibility on this subject. They suppose that it is the duty only of the officers of the church to admonish an erring brother, and hence many become careless and cold and worldly, and no one utters a kind word to them to recall them to a holy walk with God.

That are unruly - Margin, “disorderly.” The word here used (ἄτακτος ataktos), is one which properly means “not keeping the ranks,” as of soldiers; and then irregular, confused, neglectful of duty, disorderly. The reference here is to the members of the church who were irregular in their Christian walk. It is not difficult, in an army, when soldiers get out of the line, or leave their places in the ranks, or are thrown into confusion, to see that little can be accomplished in such a state of irregularity and confusion. As little difficult is it, when the members of a church are out of their places, to see that little can be accomplished in such a state. Many a church is like an army where half the soldiers are out of the line; where there is entire insubordination in the ranks, and where not half of them could be depended on for efficient service in a campaign. Indeed, an army would accomplish little if as large a proportion of it were irregular, idle, remiss, or pursuing their own aims to the neglect of the public interest, as there are members of the church who can never be depended on in accomplishing the great purpose for which it was organized.

Comfort the feeble-minded - The dispirited; the disheartened; the downcast. To do this is also the duty of each church member. There are almost always those who are in this condition, and it is not easy to appreciate the value of a kind word to one in that state. Christians are assailed by temptation; in making efforts to do good they are opposed and become disheartened; in their contests with their spiritual foes they are almost overcome; they walk through shades of spiritual night, and find no comfort. In such circumstances, how consoling is the voice of a friend! How comforting is it to feel that they are not alone! How supporting to be addressed by one who has had the same conflicts, and has triumphed! Every Christian - especially every one who has been long in the service of his Master - has a fund of experience which is the property of the church, and which may be of incalculable value to those who are struggling now amidst many embarrassments along the Christian way. He who has that experience should help a weak and sinking brother; he should make his own experience of the efficacy of religion in his trials and conflicts, the means of sustaining others in their struggles. There is no one who would not reach out his hand to save a child borne down rapid stream; yet how often do experienced and strong men in the Christian faith pass by those who are struggling in the “deep waters, where the proud waves have come over their souls!”

Support the weak - See the notes at Romans 15:1.

Be patient toward all men - See the Greek word here used, explained in the notes on 1 Corinthians 13:4; compare Ephesians 4:2; Galatians 5:22; Colossians 3:12.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 14. Warn them that are unruly — The whole phraseology of this verse is military; I shall consider the import of each term. ατακτους. Those who are out of their ranks, and are neither in a disposition nor situation to perform the work and duty of a soldier; those who will not do the work prescribed, and who will meddle with what is not commanded. There are many such in every Church that is of considerable magnitude.

Comfort the feeble-minded — τους ολιγοψυχους. Those of little souls; the faint-hearted; those who, on the eve of a battle, are dispirited, because of the number of the enemy, and their own feeble and unprovided state. Let them know that the battle is not theirs, but the Lord's; and that those who trust in him shall conquer.

Support the weak — αντεχεσθε των ασθενων. Shore up, prop them that are weak; strengthen those wings and companies that are likely to be most exposed, that they be not overpowered and broken in the day of battle.

Be patient toward all — μακροθυμειτε προς παντας. The disorderly, the feeble-minded, and the weak, will exercise your patience, and try your temper. If the troops be irregular, and cannot in every respect be reduced to proper order and discipline, let not the officers lose their temper nor courage; let them do the best they can; God will be with them, and a victory will give confidence to their troops. We have often seen that the Christian life is compared to a warfare, and that the directions given to soldiers are, mutatis mutandis; allowing for the different systems, suitable to Christians. This subject has been largely treated on, Ephesians 6:0. The ministers of Christ, being considered as officers, should acquaint themselves with the officers' duty. He who has the direction and management of a Church of God will need all the skill and prudence he can acquire.