The apostle next touches upon the relation of the Church to its teachers.

I. THE APPOINTMENT OF PASTORS IN THE CHURCH.

1. This was by Divine appointment. "He gave pastors and teachers" (Ephesians 4:11). There is no hint given in Scripture of a time when pastors would cease to be necessary, and when the Church would be served by an "any-man ministry."

2. It was the custom of the apostles to "appoint elders in every city," for they understood the advantages of a full ecclesiastical organization.

II. THE OFFICIAL POSITION AND DUTIES OF PASTORS.

1. They are laborers in the Church. "We beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you."

(1) This work is no sinecure, but a hard exhausting service, with heavy responsibilities and many cares.

(a) It is labor in preaching. For they "labor in the Word and doctrine" (1 Timothy 1:5), "rightly dividing the Word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15), giving each of the household of faith "a portion of meat in due season" (Luke 12:42).

(b) It is labor in earnestly contending for the faith as well as in dispensing the ordinances of religion.

(2) It is labor in a Divine partnership. For pastors are "laborers together with" God in the work of perfecting the Church (1 Corinthians 3:9).

2. They are presidents in the Churches. "Those which are over you in the Lord." This refers to the elders or presbyters, who are also called pastors, or shepherds, or bishops (Acts 20:17, 28).

(1) The appointment of rulers is essential to order and harmony m the Church.

(2) Yet they are not a sacerdotal caste, nor "lords over God's heritage" (1 Peter 5:3).

(3) Their official superiority is "in the Lord," because from him deriving its warrant, motive, and blessing.

3. They are spiritual guides. "And admonish you." They have "to watch for your souls as they that must give account" (Hebrews 13:17). Therefore they must "reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine" (2 Timothy 4:2). They have to "warn every man, and teach every man in all wisdom, that they may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus" (Colossians 1:28). They have to warn against sins committed, and urge to duties neglected.

III. THE OBLIGATIONS OF CHRISTIAN PEOPLE TO THEIR PASTORS.

1. They must give them due recognition as pastors. They must "know them." They must make themselves acquainted with them, that pastors may be the better able to know the state of their souls, and they must acknowledge their position as "stewards of the mysteries of God," and submit to their ministry.

2. They must "esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake.

(1) The bond is not to be one of mere official relationship, but of affection.

(2) A due respect for the ministry is an important element in its efficiency and success. Therefore we are to hold such in reputation," and to count them "worthy of double honor."

3. The ground of this claim is "for their work's sake. Not for the mere office, which may be often filled unworthily, though it is still entitled to consideration, but for the sake of the labors of love" involved in its faithful discharge. Ministers who "make full proof of their ministry" challenge the abiding respect of their flocks. - T.C.

I. THE PARTICULARS UPON WHICH THIS CLAIM FOR THE MINISTERS OF CHRIST IS FOUNDED.

1. The influence of the ministerial office. They are "over you in the Lord" by a Divine appointment, by your own choice; not as task masters, nor by mere human patronage. Their influence is full of care, exertion, watchfulness, responsibility.

2. The employment of the ministerial office. They "admonish you." Ministers are builders, watchmen, teachers, soldiers. Their labours are — preparatory in studies, executive in duties, solitary in trials.

II. STATE THE NATURE AND PRESS THE DUTY OF THAT RESPECT WHICH CHRISTIAN CHURCHES OWE TO THEIR MINISTERS.

1. The due proportion of that respect: esteem them in love.

2. The motive which should influence: "for their work's sake." A high valuation of the ministerial office.

3. The evidences which prove it is genuine. Attention to the comfortable support of a minister. A regular, devout, conscientious attendance on his ministry. A tender regard for his character.

4. The mode by which the text enforces the duty." I beseech you, brethren."

(E. Payson.)

I. CHRISTIAN MINISTERS AS HERE DESCRIBED. Not by titles indicative of earthly honour or human power, not by any natural excellencies of temper or mind, nor by any acquired advantages of knowledge and skill, nor by any peculiar measure of spiritual gifts; but by their work and office.

1. "Them which labour among you." The original signifies to "labour with unremitting diligence, even to much weariness." This involves —(1) Due preparation for public services — the preparation of the man as well as of the sermon, etc.(2) The work — preaching, administering, visitation, etc.

2. They that "are over you."(1) Not by usurpation of the office or human commission (Mark 10:42-44).(2) But by Christ, the Head of the Church —

(a)As examples.

(b)Guides.

(c)Governors and administrators of Christ's law.

3. Those who "admonish you." This is needed by the ignorant, the negligent, the inconsistent.

II. THE DUTIES OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES TOWARDS THEIR MINISTERS.

1. To know them.

(1)As Christian friends.

(2)Their character.

(3)Their religious principles.

(4)What belongs to their office and work, and their fitness for it.

2. To "esteem them very highly in love." The world may treat them with aversion; hence the Church should treat them with affection and regard. And the text warrants the very highest.

III. THE REASON FOR THESE DUTIES.

1. The plain command of God.

2. The work's sake.

(A. Wickens.)

Your pastor claims from you —

I. PROPER RESPECT FOR THE OFFICE HE SUSTAINS. It is a most sacred office, and because some men have disgraced it, and others made it the engine of priestcraft, or for other reasons, the minister is not to be stripped of official superiority and reduced to the rank of a mere speaking brother. Regard your pastor, then, not with feelings of superstitious dread, or slavish veneration, or frivolous familiarity. Hold such in reputation as your friend, but also as an ambassador of God.

II. DUE REGARD FOR HIS AUTHORITY. Office without authority is a solecism. "Let the elders rule." "Obey them that have the rule over you." This is not independent, but derived from and resting on Christ. It is not legislatorial, but judicial and executive. "Thus saith the Lord." Should the minister advance anything unscriptural, they must try the minister by the Bible, not the Bible by the minister. Not that this confers the indiscriminate right of criticism, as if the end of hearing were to find fault. In performance of his duty it belongs to your pastor —

1. To preside at the meetings of the Church. His opinion is to be treated with deference, even when it should not secure assent.

2. To be responsible to Christ for the peace and good order of the Church, which should secure for him freedom from obnoxious meddling.

III. REGULAR, PUNCTUAL, AND SERIOUS ATTENDANCE UPON HIS MINISTRY.

1. Regular. There are persons upon whose attendance it is as impossible to depend as upon the blowing of the wind. How disheartening this is! What are the causes?

(1)Distance, which reconciles them to one service on the Sabbath and none all the week besides.

(2)The weather.

(3)Home duties.

(4)Sabbath visiting.

(5)A roving spirit of unhallowed curiosity.

2. Punctual. Late attendance is a great annoyance to orderly worshippers, disrespectful to the minister, and an insult to God.

3. Serious. Come from the closet to the sanctuary. The fire of devotion should be kindled at home. Remember where you are, whose Presence is with you, and what is your business in the house of God.

IV. SINCERE AND FERVENT AFFECTION. This love should be —

1. Apparent; for however strong, if confined to the heart, it will be of little value. A minister should no more be in doubt of the attachment of his people than of his wife and children.

2. Candid: for charity covers a multitude of faults. Not that you are to be indifferent to character. This candour is not asked for the manifestly inconsistent. The minister, like Caesar's wife, must be above suspicion. The charity asked for is not for an unholy, but for an imperfect man, for those infirmities which attach to the best, the candour which thinks no evil, etc. It is surprising what insignificant circumstances will sometimes, quite unintentionally, give offence to some hearers.

3. Practical. It should lead you to avoid anything that would give him even uneasiness. His work is difficult at its easiest. Therefore you should be —(1) Holy and consistent.(2) Peaceful among yourselves. He cannot be happy with an inharmonious people.(3) Generous contributors to his support.

4. Minute and delicate in its attentions.

5. Constant.

V. RESPECTFUL ATTENTION TO HIS COUNSELS, either public or private.

VI. COOPERATION IN HIS SCHEMES OF USEFULNESS for —

1. The Church, whose interests should be his and your first concern. Sunday schools, sick visiting, etc.

2. The town. The Church should not be behindhand in great public movements.

3. The world at large — missions, etc.

VII. YOUR PRAYERS. The apostles needed this much more than uninspired men. Pray for your pastor at home, etc.

(J. A. James.)

I. THE PASTOR'S WORK. The Thessalonian elders —

1. "Laboured among" the people committed to their charge. And the labour of a faithful Christian minister may be regarded as comprehending —(1) The physical labour of preaching the gospel in public, and of visiting the people in private.(2) The intellectual labour of study.(3) The moral labour of keeping his own soul in order for the right discharge of his vocation.

2. They were "over" the people "in the Lord." The original denotes superintendence, and from the view given throughout the New Testament of the functions of Christian office bearers, that it comprehends both pastoral vigilance and ecclesiastical rule.

3. They "admonished," i.e., did not confine their instructions to general and abstract statements of Divine troth, but brought that truth closely to bear on particular circumstances and character.

II. THE DUTIES OF PEOPLE TO MINISTER.

1. They were to "know" them, i.e., own or acknowledge them "in the Lord," i.e., in deference to the authority and according to the wise and salutary regulations of their Master. This acknowledgment, of course, was to be practical as well as verbal. The Thessalonians were to render it, not only by speaking of these office bearers of their Church as their spiritual guides and overseers, but by attending to their ministry, asking their advice, submitting to their discipline, and providing for their maintenance.

2. They were to "esteem" them "Very highly in love for their work's sake"; that is, regard them with mingled emotions of respect and affection, because of the nature of their office and because of their fidelity in fulfilling it. This twofold mode of treating ministers was calculated to promote the religious improvement of the. people and to encourage, pastors.

3. "And be at peace among yourselves." Social peace among true Christmas is highly important, both for their own mutual improvement and personal comfort, and for the recommendation of religion to the world; and it is to be maintained by the cultivation both of unanimity of sentiment and of kindliness of feeling (Colossians 3:12-16; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 1 Corinthians 3:3-7).

(A. S. Patterson, D. D.)

The incumbent of Osborne had occasion to visit an aged parishioner. Upon his arrival at the house, as he entered the door where the invalid was, he found sitting by the bedside, a lady in deep mourning reading the Word of God. He was about to retire, when the lady remarked, "Pray remain. I should not wish the invalid to lose the comfort which a clergyman might afford." The lady retired, and the clergyman found lying on the bed a book with texts of Scripture adapted to the sick; and he found that out of that book portions of Scripture had been read by the lady in black. That lady was the Queen of England.

(W. Baxendale.)

Paul, ThessaloniansThessalonicaAdmonish, Admonishing, Advisers, Appreciate, Attention, Beg, Beseech, Brethren, Brothers, Charge, Christian, Diligently, Instruction, Labor, Labour, Labouring, Lead, Leaders, Leading, Order, Request, Respect, Working1. He proceeds in the description of Christ's coming to judgment;
16. and gives various instructions;
23. and so concludes the epistle.

1 Thessalonians 5:12

     5700   headship
     5777   admonition
     5833   diligence
     7720   elders, in the church
     8469   respect
     8471   respect, for human beings

1 Thessalonians 5:11-15

     7943   ministry, in church

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

     5217   authority, in church
     5959   submission
     7026   church, leadership
     8210   commitment, to God's people
     8470   respect, for God

Sleep Not
"Lord, when we leave the world and come to thee, How dull, how slur, are we! How backward! How prepost'rous is the motion Of our ungain devotion! Our thoughts are millstones, and our souls are lead, And our desires are dead: Our vows are fairly promis'd, faintly paid, Or broken, or not made. * * * * * * * Is the road fair, we loiter; clogged with mire, We stick or else retire; A lamb appeals a lion, and we fear Each bush we see's a bear. When our dull souls direct our thoughts to …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

"Pray Without Ceasing"
Observe, however, what immediately follows the text: "In everything give thanks." When joy and prayer are married their first born child is gratitude. When we joy in God for what we have, and believingly pray to him for more, then our souls thank him both in the enjoyment of what we have, and in the prospect of what is yet to come. Those three texts are three companion pictures, representing the life of a true Christian, the central sketch is the connecting link between those on either side. These …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 18: 1872

Awake! Awake!
"Tired nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep." Sleep God hath selected as the very figure for the repose of the blessed. "They that sleep in Jesus," saith the Scripture. David puts it amongst the peculiar gift's of grace: "So he giveth his beloved sleep." But alas! sin could not let even this alone. Sin did over-ride even this celestial metaphor; and though God himself had employed sleep to express the excellence of the state of the blessed, yet sin must have even this profaned, ere itself can be …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

Fenelon -- the Saints Converse with God
Francois de Salignac de La Mothe-Fenelon, Archbishop of Cambray, and private tutor to the heir-apparent of France, was born of a noble family in Perigord, 1651. In 1675 he received holy orders, and soon afterward made the acquaintance of Bossuet, whom he henceforth looked up to as his master. It was the publication of his "De l'Education des Filles" that brought him his first fame, and had some influence in securing his appointment in 1689 to be preceptor of the Duke of Burgundy. In performing this …
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Vol. 2

Consecration: what is It?
The second step that must needs be taken by those of us who have been living without the Fullness, before it can be obtained, is Consecration, a word that is very common and popular; much more common and popular, it is feared, than the thing itself. In order to be filled with the Holy Ghost one must first be "cleansed," and then one must be "consecrated". Consecration follows cleansing, and not vice versa. Intelligent apprehension of what consecration is, and of what it involves, is necessary to …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

Thirty-First Lesson. Pray Without Ceasing;'
Pray without ceasing;' Or, A Life of Prayer. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks.--I Thess. v. 16, 17, 18. OUR Lord spake the parable of the widow and the unjust judge to teach us that men ought to pray always and not faint. As the widow persevered in seeking one definite thing, the parable appears to have reference to persevering prayer for some one blessing, when God delays or appears to refuse. The words in the Epistles, which speak of continuing instant in …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

Early Afflictions
"Misery stole me at my birth And cast me helpless on the wild." The words of this hymn express my condition from my first advent into the world. My mother had overworked before I was born; and, as a result, I suffered bodily affliction from infancy. I was scarely two years old when I began having spasms. My eyes would roll back in my head, I would froth at the mouth, the tendons of my jaws would draw, causing me to bite my cheeks until the blood ran from my mouth, and I would become unconscious. …
Mary Cole—Trials and Triumphs of Faith

Third Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Romans 12, 16-21. 16 Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. 19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. 20 But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

The Alarum
That is not, however, the topic upon which I now desire to speak to you. I come at this time, not so much to plead for the early as for the awakening. The hour we may speak of at another time--the fact is our subject now. It is bad to awake late, but what shall be said of those who never awake at all? Better late than never: but with many it is to be feared it will be never. I would take down the trumpet and give a blast, or ring the alarm-bell till all the faculties of the sluggard's manhood are …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Peace
Grace unto you and peace be multiplied. I Pet 1:1. Having spoken of the first fruit of sanctification, assurance, I proceed to the second, viz., Peace, Peace be multiplied:' What are the several species or kinds of Peace? Peace, in Scripture, is compared to a river which parts itself into two silver streams. Isa 66:12. I. There is an external peace, and that is, (1.) (Economical, or peace in a family. (2.) Political, or peace in the state. Peace is the nurse of plenty. He maketh peace in thy borders, …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Getting Ready to Enter Canaan
GETTING READY TO ENTER CANAAN Can you tell me, please, the first step to take in obtaining the experience of entire sanctification? I have heard much about it, have heard many sermons on it, too; but the way to proceed is not yet plain to me, not so plain as I wish it were. Can't you tell me the first step, the second, third, and all the rest? My heart feels a hunger that seems unappeased, I have a longing that is unsatisfied; surely it is a deeper work I need! And so I plead, "Tell me the way." …
Robert Lee Berry—Adventures in the Land of Canaan

Exhortations to Christians as they are Children of God
1 There is a bill of indictment against those who declare to the world they are not the children of God: all profane persons. These have damnation written upon their forehead. Scoffers at religion. It were blasphemy to call these the children of God. Will a true child jeer at his Father's picture? Drunkards, who drown reason and stupefy conscience. These declare their sin as Sodom. They are children indeed, but cursed children' (2 Peter 2:14). 2 Exhortation, which consists of two branches. (i) Let …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Christian Prayer
Scripture references: Matthew 6:5-15; Luke 11:1-13; John 17; Matthew 26:41; Mark 11:24,25; Luke 6:12,28; 9:29; 1 Thessalonians 5:17,25; 1 Corinthians 14:13,15; Psalm 19:14; 50:15, Matthew 7:7; 1 Timothy 2:1; Ephesians 3:20,21; John 16:23; 14:14; James 5:16. THE PROVINCE OF PRAYER Definition.--Prayer is the communion of man with God. It is not first of all the means of getting something from God, but the realization of Him in the soul. "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

Paul a Pattern of Prayer
TEXT: "If ye shall ask anything in my name I will do it."--John 14:14. Jesus testified in no uncertain way concerning prayer, for not alone in this chapter does he speak but in all his messages to his disciples he is seeking to lead them into the place where they may know how to pray. In this fourteenth chapter of John, where he is coming into the shadow of the cross and is speaking to his disciples concerning those things which ought to have the greatest weight with them, the heart of his message …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

Be Ye Therefore Perfect, Even as Your Father which is in Heaven is Perfect. Matthew 5:48.
In the 43rd verse, the Savior says, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy; but I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward …
Charles G. Finney—Lectures to Professing Christians

Concerning Peaceableness
Blessed are the peacemakers. Matthew 5:9 This is the seventh step of the golden ladder which leads to blessedness. The name of peace is sweet, and the work of peace is a blessed work. Blessed are the peacemakers'. Observe the connection. The Scripture links these two together, pureness of heart and peaceableness of spirit. The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable' (James 3:17). Follow peace and holiness' (Hebrews 12:14). And here Christ joins them together pure in heart, and peacemakers', …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Sanctification
'For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.' I Thess 4:4. The word sanctification signifies to consecrate and set apart to a holy use: thus they are sanctified persons who are separated from the world, and set apart for God's service. Sanctification has a privative and a positive part. I. A privative part, which lies in the purging out of sin. Sin is compared to leaven, which sours; and to leprosy, which defiles. Sanctification purges out the old leaven.' I Cor 5:5. Though it takes not …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Hindrances to Mourning
What shall we do to get our heart into this mourning frame? Do two things. Take heed of those things which will stop these channels of mourning; put yourselves upon the use of all means that will help forward holy mourning. Take heed of those things which will stop the current of tears. There are nine hindrances of mourning. 1 The love of sin. The love of sin is like a stone in the pipe which hinders the current of water. The love of sin makes sin taste sweet and this sweetness in sin bewitches the …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Concerning Worship.
Concerning Worship. [780] All true and acceptable worship to God is offered in the inward and immediate moving and drawing of his own Spirit which is neither limited to places times, nor persons. For though we are to worship him always, and continually to fear before him; [781] yet as to the outward signification thereof, in prayers, praises, or preachings, we ought not to do it in our own will, where and when we will; but where and when we are moved thereunto by the stirring and secret inspiration …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

Letter cxx. To Hedibia.
At the request of Hedibia, a lady of Gaul much interested in the study of scripture, Jerome deals with the following twelve questions. It will be noticed that several of them belong to the historical criticism of our own day. (1) How can anyone be perfect? and How ought a widow without children to live to God? (2) What is the meaning of Matt. xxvi. 29? (3) How are the discrepancies in the evangelical narratives to be accounted for? How can Matt. xxviii. 1 be reconciled with Mark xvi. 1, 2. (4) How …
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, in Reference to Growing in Grace.
I come now to speak a little to the other part of sanctification, which concerneth the change of our nature and frame, and is called vivification, or quickening of the new man of grace; which is called the new man, as having all its several members and parts, as well as the old man; and called new, because posterior to the other; and after regeneration is upon the growing hand, this duty of growing in grace, as it is called, 2 Pet. iii. &c. is variously expressed and held forth to us in Scripture; …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

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