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Selected Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:12 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
1Th 5:12	Strong Concordance	And [1161] we beseech [2065] you [5209], brethren [80], to know [1492] them which [3588] labour [2872] among [1722] you [5213], and [2532] are over [4291] you [5216] in [1722] the Lord [2962], and [2532] admonish [3560] you [5209];
	King James	And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
beseech--"Exhort" is the expression in Th1 5:14; here, "we beseech you," as if it were a personal favor (Paul making the cause of the Thessalonian presbyters, as it were, his own). know--to have a regard and respect for. Recognize their office, and treat them accordingly (compare Co1 16:18) with reverence and with liberality in supplying their needs (Ti1 5:17). The Thessalonian Church having been newly planted, the ministers were necessarily novices (Ti1 3:6), which may have been in part the cause of the people's treating them with less respect. Paul's practice seems to have been to ordain elders in every Church soon after its establishment (Act 14:23). them which labour . . . are over . . . admonish you--not three classes of ministers, but one, as there is but one article common to the three in the Greek. "Labor" expresses their laborious life; "are over you," their pre-eminence as presidents or superintendents ("bishops," that is, overseers, Phi 1:1, "them that have rule over you," literally, leaders, Heb 13:17; "pastors," literally, shepherds, Eph 4:11); "admonish you," one of their leading functions; the Greek is "put in mind," implying not arbitrary authority, but gentle, though faithful, admonition (Ti2 2:14, Ti2 2:24-25; Pe1 5:3). in the Lord--Their presidency over you is in divine things; not in worldly affairs, but in things appertaining to the Lord.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

beseech--"Exhort" is the expression in Th1 5:14; here, "we beseech you," as if it were a personal favor (Paul making the cause of the Thessalonian presbyters, as it were, his own).

know--to have a regard and respect for. Recognize their office, and treat them accordingly (compare Co1 16:18) with reverence and with liberality in supplying their needs (Ti1 5:17). The Thessalonian Church having been newly planted, the ministers were necessarily novices (Ti1 3:6), which may have been in part the cause of the people's treating them with less respect. Paul's practice seems to have been to ordain elders in every Church soon after its establishment (Act 14:23).

them which labour . . . are over . . . admonish you--not three classes of ministers, but one, as there is but one article common to the three in the Greek. "Labor" expresses their laborious life; "are over you," their pre-eminence as presidents or superintendents ("bishops," that is, overseers, Phi 1:1, "them that have rule over you," literally, leaders, Heb 13:17; "pastors," literally, shepherds, Eph 4:11); "admonish you," one of their leading functions; the Greek is "put in mind," implying not arbitrary authority, but gentle, though faithful, admonition (Ti2 2:14, Ti2 2:24-25; Pe1 5:3).

in the Lord--Their presidency over you is in divine things; not in worldly affairs, but in things appertaining to the Lord.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you - Who they were is not mentioned. It is evident, however, that the church was not left without appointed persons to minister to it when its founders should be away. We know that there were presbyters ordained over the church at Ephesus, and over the churches in Crete (Act 20:17; Titus i. 5), and that there were bishops and deacons at Philippi Phi 1:1, and there is every reason to believe that similar officers would be appointed in every newly organized church, The word "know" seems to mean that they were not to make themselves strangers to them - to be cold and distant toward them - to be ignorant of their needs, or to be indifferent to them. While a people are not obtrusively to intermeddle with the business of a minister, anymore than they are with that of any other man, yet there are things in regard to him with which they should be acquainted. They should seek to be personally acquainted with him, and make him their confidant and counselor in their spiritual troubles. They should seek his friendship, and endeavor to maintain all proper contact with him. They should not regard him as a distant man, or as a stranger among them. They should so far understand his circumstances as to know what is requisite to make him comfortable, and should be on such terms that they may readily and cheerfully furnish what he needs. And they are to "know" or regard him as their spiritual teacher and ruler; not to be strangers to the place where he preaches the word of life, and not to listen to his admonitions and reproofs as those of a stranger, but as those of a pastor and friend. Which labour among you - There is no reason to suppose, as many have done, that the apostle here refers to different classes of ministers. He rather refers to different parts of the work which the same ministers perform. The first is, that they "labor" - that is, evidently, in preaching the gospel. For the use of the word, see Joh 4:38, where it occurs twice; Co1 15:10; Co1 16:16. The word is one which properly expresses wearisome toil, and implies that the office of preaching is one that demands constant industry. And are over you in the Lord - That is, by the appointment of the Lord, or under his direction. They are not absolute sovereigns, but are themselves subject to one who is over them - the Lord Jesus. On the word here rendered "are over you" (προΐσταμένους proistamenous) see the notes on Rom 12:8, where it is translated "ruleth." And admonish you - The word here used (νουθετέω noutheteō) is rendered "admonish," and "admonished," in Rom 15:14; Col 3:16; Th1 5:12; Th2 3:15; and warn, and warning, Co1 4:14; Col 1:28; Th1 5:14. It does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It means, to put in mind; and then to warn, entreat, exhort. It is a part of the duty of a minister to put his people in mind of the truth; to warn them of danger; to exhort them to perform their duty; to admonish them if they go astray.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Know (εἰδέναι) See on Th1 4:4. Recognize them for what they are, and as entitled to respect because of their office. Comp. ἐπιγινώσκετε acknowledge, Co1 16:18; and ἐγνώσθης takest knowledge, lxx, Psalm 143:3. Ignatius, Smyrn. ix.:, has ἐπίσκοπον εἰδέναι to know the bishop, to appreciate and honor him. Are over (προΐσταμένους) Lit. who are placed before you. See on Rom 12:8. Used of superintendents of households, Ti1 3:4, Ti1 3:5, Ti1 3:12 : of the ruling of elders of the church, Ti1 5:17. It does not indicate a particular ecclesiastical office, but is used functionally. The ecclesiastical nomenclature of the Pauline Epistles is unsettled, corresponding with the fact that the primitive church was not a homogeneous body throughout christendom. The primitive Pauline church consisted of a number of separate fraternities which were self-governing. The recognition of those who ministered to the congregations depended on the free choice of their members. See for instance Co1 16:15, Co1 16:16. The congregation exercised discipline and gave judgment: Co1 5:3-5; Co2 2:6, Co2 2:7; Co2 7:11, Co2 7:12; Gal 6:1. Admonish (νουθετοῦντας) Only in Acts and Paul. See on Act 20:31, and comp. Th1 5:14; Rom 15:14; Co1 4:14; Col 1:28.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Know them that, Labour among you: Are over you in the Lord: Admonish you. Know - See, mark, take knowledge of them and their work. Sometimes the same person may both labour, that is, preach; be over, or govern; and admonish the flock by particular application to each: sometimes two or more different persons, according as God variously dispenses his gifts. But O, what a misery is it when a man undertakes this whole work without either gifts or graces for any part of it! Why, then, will he undertake it? for pay? What! will he sell both his own soul and all the souls of the flock? What words can describe such a wretch as this? And yet even this may be "an honourable man!"

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Know them - Act kindly towards them; acknowledge them as the messengers of Christ; and treat them with tenderness and respect. This is a frequent meaning of the word γινωσκω. See on Joh 1:10 (note). Them which labor among you - The words τους κοπιωντας have appeared to some as expressing those who had labored among them; but as it is the participle of the present tense, there is no need to consider it in this light. Both it and the word προΐσταμενους, the superintendents, refer to persons then actually employed in the work of God. These were all admonishers, teachers, and instructers of the people, devoting their time and talents to this important work.

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³ Neither [3366] as [5613] being lords over [2634] God's heritage [2819], but [235] being [1096] ensamples [5179] to the flock [4168].

²⁴ And [1161] the servant [1401] of the Lord [2962] must [1163] not [3756] strive [3164]; but [235] be [1511] gentle [2261] unto [4314] all [3956] men, apt to teach [1317], patient [420],
²⁵ In [1722] meekness [4236] instructing [3811] those that oppose themselves [475]; if [3379] God [2316] peradventure [3379] will give [1325] them [846] repentance [3341] to [1519] the acknowledging [1922] of the truth [225];

¹⁴ Of these things [5023] put them in remembrance [5279], charging [1263] them before [1799] the Lord [2962] that they strive [3054] not [3361] about words [3054] to [1519] no [3762] profit [5539], but to [1909] the subverting [2692] of the hearers [191].

¹¹ And [2532] he [846] gave [1325] some [3303], apostles [652]; and [1161] some, prophets [4396]; and [1161] some, evangelists [2099]; and [1161] some, pastors [4166] and [2532] teachers [1320];

¹⁷ Obey [3982] them that have the rule [2233] over you [5216], and [2532] submit yourselves [5226]: for [1063] they [846] watch [69] for [5228] your [5216] souls [5590], as [5613] they that must give [591] account [3056], that [2443] they may do [4160] it [5124] with [3326] joy [5479], and [2532] not [3361] with grief [4727]: for [1063] that [5124] is unprofitable [255] for you [5213].

¹ Paul [3972] and [2532] Timotheus [5095], the servants [1401] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], to all [3956] the saints [40] in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424] which are [5607] at [1722] Philippi [5375], with [4862] the bishops [1985] and [2532] deacons [1249]:

²³ And [1161] when they had ordained [5500] them [846] elders [4245] in every [2596] church [1577], and had prayed [4336] with [3326] fasting [3521], they commended [3908] them [846] to the Lord [2962], on [1519] whom [3739] they believed [4100].

⁶ Not [3361] a novice [3504], lest [3363] being lifted up with pride [5187] he fall [1706] into [1519] the condemnation [2917] of the devil [1228].

¹⁷ Let [515] the elders [4245] that rule [4291] well [2573] be counted worthy [515] of double [1362] honour [5092], especially [3122] they who labour [2872] in [1722] the word [3056] and [2532] doctrine [1319].

¹⁸ For [1063] they have refreshed [373] my [1699] spirit [4151] and [2532] yours [5216]: therefore [3767] acknowledge ye [1921] them that are such [5108].

¹⁴ Now [1161] we exhort [3870] you [5209], brethren [80], warn [3560] them that are unruly [813], comfort [3888] the feebleminded [3642], support [472] the weak [772], be patient [3114] toward [4314] all [3956] men.

²⁸ Whom [3739] we [2249] preach [2605], warning [3560] every [3956] man [444], and [2532] teaching [1321] every [3956] man [444] in [1722] all [3956] wisdom [4678]; that [2443] we may present [3936] every [3956] man [444] perfect [5046] in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424]:

¹⁴ I write [1125] not [3756] these things [5023] to shame [1788] you [5209], but [235] as [5613] my [3450] beloved [27] sons [5043] I warn [3560] you.

¹⁵ Yet [2532] count [2233] him not [3361] as [5613] an enemy [2190], but [235] admonish [3560] him as [5613] a brother [80].

¹² And [1161] we beseech [2065] you [5209], brethren [80], to know [1492] them which [3588] labour [2872] among [1722] you [5213], and [2532] are over [4291] you [5216] in [1722] the Lord [2962], and [2532] admonish [3560] you [5209];

¹⁶ Let [1774] the word [3056] of Christ [5547] dwell [1774] in [1722] you [5213] richly [4146] in [1722] all [3956] wisdom [4678]; teaching [1321] and [2532] admonishing [3560] one another [1438] in psalms [5568] and [2532] hymns [5215] and [2532] spiritual [4152] songs [5603], singing [103] with [1722] grace [5485] in [1722] your [5216] hearts [2588] to the Lord [2962].

¹⁴ And [1161] I [1473] myself [846] also [2532] am persuaded [3982] of [4012] you [5216], my [3450] brethren [80], that [3754] ye [846] also [2532] are [2075] full [3324] of goodness [19], filled [4137] with all [3956] knowledge [1108], able [1410] also [2532] to admonish [3560] one another [240].

⁸ Or [1535] he that exhorteth [3870], on [1722] exhortation [3874]: he that giveth [3330], let him do it with [1722] simplicity [572]; he that ruleth [4291], with [1722] diligence [4710]; he that sheweth mercy [1653], with [1722] cheerfulness [2432].

¹⁶ [2532] That [2443] ye [5210] submit yourselves [5293] unto such [5108], and [2532] to every one [3956] that helpeth [4903] with us, and [2532] laboureth [2872].

¹⁰ But [1161] by the grace [5485] of God [2316] I am [1510] what [3739] I am [1510]: and [2532] his [846] grace [5485] which was bestowed upon [1519] me [1691] was [1096] not [3756] in vain [2756]; but [235] I laboured [2872] more abundantly [4054] than they [846] all [3956]: yet [1161] not [3756] I [1473], but [235] the grace [5485] of God [2316] which [3588] was with [4862] me [1698].

³⁸ I [1473] sent [649] you [5209] to reap [2325] that whereon [3739] ye [5210] bestowed [2872] no [3756] labour [2872]: other men [243] laboured [2872], and [2532] ye [5210] are entered [1525] into [1519] their [846] labours [2873].

¹⁷ And [1161] from [575] Miletus [3399] he sent [3992] to [1519] Ephesus [2181], and called [3333] the elders [4245] of the church [1577].

¹⁴ I write [1125] not [3756] these things [5023] to shame [1788] you [5209], but [235] as [5613] my [3450] beloved [27] sons [5043] I warn [3560] you.

³¹ Therefore [1352] watch [1127], and remember [3421], that [3754] by the space of three years [5148] I ceased [3973] not [3756] to warn [3560] every [1538] one [1520] night [3571] and [2532] day [2250] with [3326] tears [1144].

¹ Brethren [80], if [1437] [2532] a man [444] be overtaken [4301] in [1722] a [5100] fault [3900], ye [5210] which [3588] are spiritual [4152], restore [2675] such an one [5108] in [1722] the spirit [4151] of meekness [4236]; considering [4648] thyself [4572], lest [3361] thou [4771] also [2532] be tempted [3985].

¹² Wherefore [686], though [1499] I wrote [1125] unto you [5213], I did it not [3756] for his cause [1752] that had done the wrong [91], nor [3761] for his cause [1752] that suffered wrong [91], but [235] that [1752] our [2257] care [4710] for [5228] you [5216] in the sight [1799] of God [2316] might appear [5319] unto [4314] you [5209].

¹¹ For [1063] behold [2400] this [5124] selfsame thing [846], that [5209] ye sorrowed [3076] after [2596] a godly sort [2316], what [4214] carefulness [4710] it wrought [2716] in you [5213], yea [235], what clearing of yourselves [627], yea [235], what indignation [24], yea [235], what fear [5401], yea [235], what vehement desire [1972], yea [235], what zeal [2205], yea [235], what revenge [1557]! In [1722] all [3956] things ye have approved [4921] yourselves [1438] to be [1511] clear [53] in [1722] this matter [4229].

⁷ So [5620] that contrariwise [5121] ye [5209] ought rather [3123] to forgive [5483] him, and [2532] comfort [3870] him, lest [3381] perhaps [4458] such a one [5108] should be swallowed up [2666] with overmuch [4055] sorrow [3077].

⁶ Sufficient [2425] to such a man [5108] is this [3778] punishment [2009], which [3588] was inflicted of [5259] many [4119].

³ For [1063] I [1473] verily [3303], as [5613] absent [548] in body [4983], but [1161] present [3918] in spirit [4151], have judged [2919] already [2235], as [5613] though I were present [3918], concerning him that hath [2716] so [3779] done [2716] this deed [5124],
⁴ In [1722] the name [3686] of our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], when ye [5216] are gathered together [4863], and [2532] my [1699] spirit [4151], with [4862] the power [1411] of our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547],
⁵ To deliver [3860] such an one [5108] unto Satan [4567] for [1519] the destruction [3639] of the flesh [4561], that [2443] the spirit [4151] may be saved [4982] in [1722] the day [2250] of the Lord [2962] Jesus [2424].

¹⁶ [2532] That [2443] ye [5210] submit yourselves [5293] unto such [5108], and [2532] to every one [3956] that helpeth [4903] with us, and [2532] laboureth [2872].

¹⁵ [1161] I beseech [3870] you [5209], brethren [80], (ye know [1492] the house [3614] of Stephanas [4734], that [3754] it is [2076] the firstfruits [536] of Achaia [882], and [2532] that they have addicted [5021] themselves [1438] to [1519] the ministry [1248] of the saints [40],)

¹² Let [2077] the deacons [1249] be [2077] the husbands [435] of one [3391] wife [1135], ruling [4291] their children [5043] and [2532] their own [2398] houses [3624] well [2573].

⁵ (For [1161] if a man [1536] know [1492] not [3756] how [1492] to rule [4291] his own [2398] house [3624], how [4459] shall he take care of [1959] the church [1577] of God [2316]?)

⁴ One that ruleth [4291] well [2573] his own [2398] house [3624], having [2192] his children [5043] in [1722] subjection [5292] with [3326] all [3956] gravity [4587];

¹⁸ For [1063] they have refreshed [373] my [1699] spirit [4151] and [2532] yours [5216]: therefore [3767] acknowledge ye [1921] them that are such [5108].

⁴ That every one [1538] of you [5216] should know [1492] how to possess [2932] his [1438] vessel [4632] in [1722] sanctification [38] and [2532] honour [5092];

¹⁰ He was [2258] in [1722] the world [2889], and [2532] the world [2889] was made [1096] by [1223] him [846], and [2532] the world [2889] knew [1097] him [846] not [3756].