1 Thessalonians 5:14

14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 Meaning and Commentary

1 Thessalonians 5:14

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.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 In-Context

12 But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you,

13 and to respect and honor them in love for their work's sake. Be at shalom among yourselves.

14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.

15 See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, towards one another, and towards all.

16 Rejoice always.