Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 5:13
And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. [And] be at peace among yourselves.
13. and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake ] exceeding highly (R. V.) the same Greek adverb as in ch. 1Th 3:10, the strongest Intensive possible to the language. So deep and warm should be the affection uniting pastors and their flocks. Their appreciation is not to be a cold esteem; it has mutual “love” for its pervading element, a grace in which the Thessalonians were already “taught of God” (ch. 1Th 4:9). Their “work,” described in 1Th 5:12, is the reason for this devoted esteem. In work this Church excelled (ch. 1Th 1:3); and this it knew how to appreciate.
And be at peace among yourselves ] And is wanting in the Greek. But this appeal is closely connected with the last. Looking, moreover, at the exhortation to “admonish the unruly” that follows, and at the command “study to be quiet” of ch. 1Th 4:11, and the measures prescribed against the idle and disorderly in 2Th 3:6-15, we can read between the lines sufficiently to see that the tendencies adverse to peace in this community were interfering with its discipline, and set the Church authorities at variance with a certain section of its membership.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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 works 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 Mar 9:50 note; Rom 12:18; Rom 14:19 notes.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ 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 , 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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
13. very highlyGreek,“exceeding abundantly.”
for their work’s sakeThehigh nature of their work alone, the furtherance of your salvationand of the kingdom of Christ, should be a sufficient motive to claimyour reverential love. At the same time, the word “work,”teaches ministers that, while claiming the reverence due to theiroffice, it is not a sinecure, but a “work”; compare “labor“(even to weariness: so the Greek), 1Th5:12.
be at peace amongyourselvesThe “and” is not in the original. Letthere not only be peace between ministers and their flocks, but alsono party rivalries among yourselves, one contending in behalf of someone favorite minister, another in behalf of another (Mar 9:50;1Co 1:12; 1Co 4:6).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole 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 1Ti 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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
And to esteem them ( ). Get acquainted with them and esteem the leaders. The idlers in Thessalonica had evidently refused to follow their leaders in church activities. We need wise leadership today, but still more wise following. An army of captains and colonels never won a battle.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Esteem [] . Primarily to lead, which is the only sense in the Gospels and Acts, except Act 26:2, in a speech of Paul. To lead the mind through a reasoning process to a conclusion, and so to think, to estimate. Only in this sense by Paul, Peter, and James. See 2Co 9:5; Phi 2:3; Jas 1:2; 2Pe 3:9. In both senses in Hebrews. See 1Th 10:29; 1Th 13:7.
Very highly in love. Const. very highly with esteem. In love qualifies both words. 31 For their work ‘s sake [ ] . Their esteem for their superintendents is not to rest only on personal attachment or respect for their position, but on intelligent and sympathetic appreciation of their work. It is a good and much – needed lesson for the modern congregation no less than for the Thessalonian church.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And to esteem them” (kai hegeisthai autos) “and all of you consider them”; actively be showing respect to or toward them, for their devotion and labors in leadership. The “them” refers not to the pastor (restrictedly) but to the plurality of elders or church elected leaders, always.
2) “Very highly in love” (huperekperissos en agape) most exceedingly, in the highest degree in love”; to hold in high regard with special love, 1Co 13:1-5.
3) “For their work’s sake” (dia to ergon auton) “because of the nature of their work”; because of the nature of their labors of love in oversight church work, 1Ti 5:17; Heb 13:7; Heb 13:17.
4) “And be at peace among yourselves” (eireneuete en heautois) “Be at peace, or (in a peaceful state) among yourselves”, in the fellowship of the church. Because discord among them would result in personal unhappiness and social ruin. Jesus charged his church, “Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another”, Mar 9:50; Col 4:6; Gal 5:15-16; Joh 13:34-35, to carp, complain, and murmur is of the flesh, divisive in nature, and an hindrance to the work of the Lord.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
13 With love. Others render it by love; for Paul says in love, which, according to the Hebrew idiom, is equivalent to by or with. I prefer, however, to explain it thus — as meaning that he exhorts them not merely to respect them, (605) but also love them. For as the doctrine of the gospel is lovely, so it is befitting that the ministers of it should be loved. It were, however, rather stiff to speak of having in esteem by love, while the connecting together of love with honor suits well.
Be at peace. While this passage has various readings, even among the Greeks, I approve rather of the rendering which has been given by the old translator, and is followed by Erasmus — Pacem habete cum eis, vel colite — ( Have or cultivate peace with them.) (606) For Paul, in my opinion, had in view to oppose the artifices of Satan, who ceases not to use every endeavor to stir up either quarrels, or disagreements, or enmities, between people and pastor. Hence we see daily how pastors are hated by their Churches for some trivial reason, or for no reason whatever, because this desire for the cultivation of peace, which Paul recommends so strongly, is not exercised as it ought.
(605) “ De porter honneur aux fideles ministres;” — “To do honor to faithful ministers.”
(606) Wiclif (1380) renders as follows: “Haue ye pees with hem.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(13) Very highly in love.The original here is difficult; but it seems best, with most good commentators, ancient and modern, to construe in love with esteem, and to make very highly (a very enthusiastic word in the Greek) an expletive attached to in love, implying hold in a most extraordinary degree of love. The bond which binds the Christian community to their directors is not to be one of recognition and obedience only (1Th. 5:12), but of holy affection above all.
For their works sake.Our love is to be paid them not for any social or intellectual qualities they may have in themselves; it is the work which they have to do that should attract our sympathy. The original seems to mean that we are to love them, not only because they do such work, but also for the sake of their work, i.e., to help it forward.
Be at peace among yourselves.Discipline to be observed towards equals, as well as superiors.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
13. Esteem in love There should be an official esteem for them, but that esteem should be grounded in Christian love. Love should lie as the basis of the whole structure of their Christian republic.
For their work’s sake They have not, like magistrates, a power of physical compulsion to secure respect; but in Christian love and duty they have a deeper claim. For the sake of the work they perform, as necessary and beneficial to the cause of Christ, you are bound to cultivate a voluntary esteem for them.
At peace among yourselves Which can be attained only by cultivating this harmony with your rulers.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Th 5:13 . ] is by Theodoret, Estius, Grotius, Wolf, Baumgarten, Koppe, de Wette, Koch, Bloomfield, and others, connected with , “and to esteem very highly, to value much,” to which is added as a supplementary statement, to express that this esteem is not to be founded on fear, but on love, or is to express itself in love. But the requirement to esteem highly is already, 1Th 5:12 , expressed by . Add to this that , in order to denote the idea of high esteem or regard, requires an additional clause, as , or ; but the adverb cannot represent that additional clause. We must therefore, with Chrysostom, Oecumenius, Theophylact, Beza, Flatt, Pelt, Schott, Olshausen, Alford, Hofmann, Riggenbach, and others, unite with , by which, along with the duty of high esteem , 1Th 5:12 , the duty of love toward the rulers of the church is specially brought forward. The formula , to hold a person in love, to cherish toward him a loving disposition, is not without harshness, but has its analogy in the genuine Greek construction, (Thucyd. ii. 18). Others less suitably compare , LXX. Job 35:2 .
] for their works ’ (office) sake, i.e. first, on account of the labour which is connected with it; but secondly and chiefly, because it is an office in the service of Christ.
] preserve peace among yourselves , comp. Rom 12:18 ; 2Co 13:11 ; Mar 9:50 . is equivalent to , see Khner, II. p. 325; Bernhardy, Syntax , p. 273. The words contain an independent exhortation to be separated from the preceding, the apostle passing from the conduct enjoined respecting rulers , to the conduct enjoined generally of the readers to one another . Chrysostom, Theodoret, Faber Stapulensis, Zwingli, Calvin, Bullinger, Balduin, Cornelius a Lapide, Ernest Schmid, Fromond., and others, adopting the reading (see critical note), have indeed explained it: “preserve peace with them, the presbyters,” but without grammatical justification, because for this would be required, comp. Rom 12:18 .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
Ver. 13. Very highly ] Gr. , more than exceeding. a Turks and Papists shall else condemn us, who honour every hedge priest of theirs, and have them in singular esteem, above their merits. The Grecians gave great respect to their philosophers above their orators, because these taught them how to speak, but those how to live well.
For their work’s sake ] Which is high and honourable, divine and heavenly, a worthy work, 1Ti 3:1 . Such as both in the preparation to it and execution of it draweth them to God, keepeth them with God, and to be ever mindful of God, and no less active for God, Eph 4:12 , by gathering together the saints and building up the body of Christ.
And be at peace among yourselves ] So shall your pastor have the better life, and follow his work with more content and comfort.
a Apud Groecos maiori in honore habebantur philosophi quam oratores. Illi enim recte vivendi, &c. Lactantius.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
13 .] is an unusual expression for to esteem in love; for such seems to be its meaning. Ln. compares (Thuc. ii. 18). We have , Herod. ii. 115 ( Job 35:2 does not apply).
is best taken with : it will not form a suitable qualification for , which is merely a verbum medium. And so Chrys., all.
. . may mean, because of the nature of their work , viz. that it is the Lord’s work, for your souls: or, on account of their activity in their office , as a recompense for their work. Both these motives are combined in Heb 13:17 .
The reading (see var. readd.) can hardly mean, as Chrys., al., (Thdrt.), but is probably, as De W., a mistaken correction from imagining that this exhortation must refer to the presbyters as well as the preceding: whereas it seems only to be suggested by the foregoing, as enforcing peaceful and loving subordination without party strife: cf. below.
not = (see ref. Col. and note there, and cf. Mar 9:50 ).
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
1Th 5:13 . “Regard them with a very special love for their works’ sake” (so thorough and important it is). “Be at peace among yourselves” (instead of introducing divisions and disorder by any insubordination or carping).
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
esteem = reckon.
very highly. Greek. huperekperissos. See 1Th 3:10 and Eph 3:20.
for their work’s sake = on account of (App-104. 1Th 5:2) their work.
be at peace. Greek. eireneuo. See Rom 12:18.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
13.] is an unusual expression for to esteem in love; for such seems to be its meaning. Ln. compares (Thuc. ii. 18). We have , Herod. ii. 115 (Job 35:2 does not apply).
is best taken with : it will not form a suitable qualification for , which is merely a verbum medium. And so Chrys., all.
. . may mean, because of the nature of their work, viz. that it is the Lords work, for your souls: or, on account of their activity in their office, as a recompense for their work. Both these motives are combined in Heb 13:17.
The reading (see var. readd.) can hardly mean, as Chrys., al.,- (Thdrt.),-but is probably, as De W., a mistaken correction from imagining that this exhortation must refer to the presbyters as well as the preceding: whereas it seems only to be suggested by the foregoing, as enforcing peaceful and loving subordination without party strife: cf. below.
not = (see ref. Col. and note there, and cf. Mar 9:50).
Fuente: The Greek Testament
1Th 5:13. , among yourselves) Mutually.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
1Th 5:13
and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their works sake.-The Bible deals but little in mere sentiment of feeling. It demands action and deeds that flow from kindly feelings and loving hearts, faith made perfect by works. So the esteem must show itself in deeds of kindness and helpfulness in whatsoever they need or will aid them in their work. It involves both moral and material support. [Thus not personal affinity, but actual service rendered to the Lord in labors among his people is the ground on which believers are to hold their brethren in loving regard.]
Be at peace among yourselves.-Christians must cultivate a spirit of peace and harmony among themselves. [This instruction suitably follows the foregoing admonitions. They were not to quarrel with those over them nor let their actions produce a factious spirit. The church was new among them and brought them into new and delicate relations with persons of various educational advantages and habits: there were difficulties and great need of patience and forbearance; but the order that they live in peace was somewhat modified by these additional words: If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men (Rom 12:18), but not intended to excuse any evasion of the plain obligation imposed by the command, but throws the responsibility on every believer who does not hold himself in obedience to the command.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
esteem: Mat 10:40, 1Co 4:1, 1Co 4:2, 1Co 9:7-11, Gal 4:14, Gal 6:6
and be: Gen 45:24, Psa 133:1, Mar 9:50, Luk 7:3-5, Joh 13:34, Joh 13:35, Joh 15:17, Rom 4:17-19, 2Co 13:11, Gal 5:22, Eph 4:3, Col 3:15, 2Th 3:16, 2Ti 2:22, Heb 12:14, Jam 3:18
Reciprocal: Num 31:47 – the Levites 1Sa 9:6 – an honourable 2Ki 4:13 – thou hast Pro 5:13 – General Mat 9:37 – but Rom 12:18 – General Rom 16:12 – labour 1Co 1:10 – that ye Gal 4:15 – if Phi 2:14 – disputings Phi 4:2 – that 1Ti 5:17 – rule Heb 13:7 – which Heb 13:17 – Obey
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Th 5:13. To esteem them has about the same meaning as to “have regard for” as defined in the preceding verse. Be at peace among yourselves. If the members of a congregation would always endeavor to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3), it would simplify and lighten the task of the elders in their rulership.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
1Th 5:13. To esteem them very highly in love. There was required not merely an outward deference and submission, but an affectionate regard. Little good can be effected in a church in which the ministers are neither respected nor loved. But this respect and love must have a real object, must be excited and maintained by the efficiency of the ministry: as Paul says, it is to be for their works sake. On account both of the importance of the work (Heb 13:17) and the earnest and laborious manner in which it was performed; comp. Php 1:22; Php 2:30 (Ellicott).
Be at peace among yourselves. This suitably follows on the foregoing admonitions. Do not quarrel with your rulers, nor let their actions produce among; you a factious spirit. This ecclesiastical organization is new, it brings you into new and delicate relations with persons of various education and habits; there will be difficulties and great need of patience, forbearance, yieldingness of spirit; but see that you live at peace.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work’s sake. [Paul here admonishes the church as to how it shall treat its elders. He bids the church recognize their leadership, respect them, and hold them in affection because of the blessed and divine work which they were discharging, the work being that enjoined by the third term of the great commission; viz.: admonishing or teaching the church to observe all things whatsoever Jesus commanded (Mat 28:20). Such teaching is an essential duty of an elder (1Ti 3:2; 2Ti 2:24; Tit 1:9). This section is closely connected with the last verse of the preceding one, the instruction of the elders being the chief means of effecting the edification there mentioned.] Be at peace among yourselves. [Mar 9:50 . Contempt for the instruction and authority of the elders is the first step toward that strife and faction which is here reproved.]
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for {d} their work’s sake. {8} [And] be at peace among yourselves.
(d) So then, when this reason ceases, then must the honour cease.
(8) The maintenance of mutual harmony, is to be especially guarded.