Living in Love and Harmony with Mutual Support and Unceasing Prayer in the Spirit (1 Thess. 5:12-25)

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who are laboring among you and who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you, 13 and to show esteem for them with special love on account of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.  14 We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one returns evil for evil; rather, always seek what is good [both] for each other and for all. 16 Rejoice always. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 Test everything; retain what is good. 22 Refrain from every kind of evil.  23 May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it. 25 Brothers, pray for us [too].

Paul encourages the Thessalonians to respect those spiritually leading their community who correct and guide them.  Their respect should be rooted in sincere love.  Peace and unity within the church are the responsibility of leaders as well as all members who are to contribute to a climate of mutual respect and love.  Paul suggests ways that believers can support each other – admonish those who were neglecting their responsibilities, encourage those struggling with persecution or doubts, strengthen those whose faith is weak, and be patient with each other.  Believers are to avoid retaliation and instead pursue what is good and promote peace and forgiveness.  

Paul instructs the Thessalonians to rejoice in the hope of salvation and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He exhorts them to always be in communion with God through unceasing prayer and gratefully acknowledge God’s providence in all circumstances.  They should not stifle the work of the Holy Spirit.  

The charismatic gift of prophecy was valued in the early church as it offered insight and guidance but it appears that some were skeptical about prophecy.  Paul urged the community to be open to the gift of prophecy but to be discerning.  They should evaluate all things—teachings, behaviors, and actions—in light of faith to ensure adherence to sound doctrine.  Not everything claimed to be of the Spirit is genuine; accept only those things that align with God’s will.  Be morally vigilant and avoid any form of wrongdoing.  

In his concluding blessing, Paul asks God to sanctify the believers completely – “spirit, soul, and body”.  He reassures the Thessalonians that God, who initiated their call to holiness, will complete His work within them.  Paul then makes a personal request for their prayers 

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of community and the guidance of Your Spirit.  Help us to honor those who lead us, to live in peace with one another, and to support each other with love.  May we rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances, trusting in Your faithful work within us. 

                                                       

References

• McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
• Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
• Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
• Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
• Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
• Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
• Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
• McKenzie, John. Dictionary of the Bible. Collier Books, 1965.