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"Recognize those who labour among you..."

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:12

APPROPRIATE REGARD FOR SERVANTS OF GOD

The apostle Paul felt that he had to write to the Thessalonians to teach them how to have an appropriate regard for those who serve the Lord in the full-time ministry.

“And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labour among you,
and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.
Be at peace among yourselves.”

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

1. “And we urge you, brethren”

a) Obviously there was some difficulty encountered.

b) Paul and Silas had to “entreat” the brethren to consider what he had to say.

c) The idea of “entreating” lies beneath the word “urge”.

2. The full-time servants of God who labored in the Thessalonian church

a) These people were in mind.

b) However their names were not mentioned.

3. The work of these servants of God

a) They labored very hard for the church and for the brethren.

b) They had been appointed as leaders in the Church at Thessalonica.

c) They were probably appointed by the apostle Paul.

i) Paul could have done this personally.

ii) Timothy or Titus could have done this on Paul’s behalf (Cf. Titus 1:5, 1 Timothy 3).

4. A proper regard for the servants of God was taught and emphasized

a) The church was to esteem these faithful servants of God.

b) They were to regard them with love for their work’s sake.

c) The brethren must not quarrel over this matter.

d) They must be at peace with each other in this matter.

5. The phrase “very highly”

a) This deserves further elaboration.

b) The phrase translates the word “huperekperissou”.

c) The essential meaning of this word “of surpassing worth!”