1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 – Inter-personal relationship

Having settled how believers ought to regard their leaders, Paul now turned to settle the issue of how fellow believers ought to relate to each other. In verse 12, he made a request. But here in verse 14, he urged them. The word “brethren” appears in both verse 12 as well as verse 14. We can, therefore, conclude that it’s the same group of people that Paul was addressing. From his instruction to them to do the three things described in verse 13, we can conclude too that the ordinary members were also expected to do the work of the ministry. It should not just fall on the shoulders of the leaders.

Paul delineated three groups of people that needed attention. Firstly, he talked about the unruly. This category of people needed admonishment. The word unruly was used of a soldier who deserted his post. Some of the believers were so obsessed with the return of the Lord that they quit their work. Being idle, they were meddlesome. Instead of working to support themselves, they were expecting free handouts. These people must be admonished.

Secondly, he dealt with the fainthearted. These people were discouraged. Probably they were those that had loved ones who passed away. They were also described as the timid (NIV), meaning people who probably were distressed by the oppositions and trials confronting them. These people needed encouragement.

Thirdly, Paul talked about the weak. He probably did not mean those physically weak but those who were morally or spiritually weak. People whom he referred to in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 – those who faced the temptation and fell into sexual immorality. Paul’s instruction was to help these people.

And whether it was admonishment to the unruly, encouragement to the fainthearted or help to the weak, Paul advocated patience in rendering one’s service or ministry. It is easy to be impatient with difficult people who are demanding, argumentative and unreasonable, yet the call here is to exercise patience.

Having dealt with the three particular groups of believers, Paul turned his attention and gave advice on general Christian behavior (v.15). Here he said that believers should not retaliate or seek revenge. Instead, they should cultivate kindness and seek the best interests for each other. The rationale is logical because it would build mutual benefit and growth for each individual in the fellowship.

As a community called by God, we must learn not to look only at our own interest but also the interest of others. We must learn to guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride. Together we can build the tent for the glory of God! Let's ask Him to come and dwell in our tent for His own glory!