Charles Spurgeon Commentary 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

"But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work`s sake. Be at peace among yourselves." — 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (ASV)

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which 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.

Consider them in your prayers; give them all the help you can; do not be unfamiliar with their office and the burden it brings.

God has set them over you. Regard them in that light. Esteem them very highly, not as masters, as though they were lords, but as being over you. Esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake.

And we urge you, brothers, to know those who labor 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.

You see, in the early church they edified one another, but nevertheless they did not reject God's ordinance of Christian ministry.

There was rule in the church then, just as there should be now. And the apostle, when he speaks of this individual edification, this mutual instruction, does not forget to acknowledge those who were the pastors of the flock. He says, Know those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake.