Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Thessalonians 5:14

"And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all." — 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (ASV)

Paul now begins a new and stronger set of brief commands to all the Christians (“brothers”). “We urge” (GK 4151) is more authoritative than Paul’s previous “we ask” (5:12; cf. 4:1).

“Warn” (GK 3805; cf. “admonish” in v.12) is an injunction to Christians in general, not just a limited few. The entire local body copes with practical situations by advising an errant believer. The only ones excused from the obligation to warn are those in need of warning, in this case described as “those who are idle” (GK 864)—i.e., those who by their idleness are disorderly in conduct (cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:6–7). A certain amount of unbecoming behavior had already appeared in the Thessalonian church (1 Thessalonians 4:11–12).

“Encourage [GK 4170; cf. “comfort” in 2:12] the timid” concerns a different need. Words of comfort to the fainthearted are also needed. In the light of ch. 4, those who needed comfort were both troubled over their friends who had died in Christ (4:13) and confused about what the parousia held for themselves (5:1–11). Within this letter Paul has given ample information for removing these misgivings.

“Help the weak” almost certainly relates to moral and spiritual debility.

Whether it was weakness in shrinking from persecution (3:3–5), yielding to temptations to immorality (4:3–8), or something else cannot be precisely determined. It may well have been weakness in exercising full Christian liberty in doubtful matters (see Ro 14:1–15:6; 1 Corinthians 8–10). Whatever it was, the strong in faith were responsible to support those who were weak.

Summing up the previous three commands is a fourth general one: “Be patient [GK 3428] with everyone.” This pictures the even-tempered response of one who is slow to anger. Dealing with the “idle,” “the timid,” and “the weak” requires this special disposition because they so often refuse to respond immediately to constructive counsel. Yet these are not the only ones requiring patient treatment. All Christians at one time or another provoke dissatisfaction through thoughtless or even intentionally hurtful acts. They too need patient treatment.