And we urge you, brethren, to recognize 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. Be at peace among yourselves. (I Thessalonians 5:12-13)
Paul closed his first letter to the Thessalonica church with a lot of short sentences but very wise instructions. First, he started by instructing the church to respect and esteem the leaders of the church in love. Not that they are more special than anyone else, but for their work’s sake. The majority of them make huge personal sacrifices in order to commit themselves full-time to Christ's ministry. Paul would state it in this way in a future epistle, "I urge you, brethren— [knowing] that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints— that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us." (I Corinthians 16:15-16)
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. (I Thessalonians 5:14-15) Secondly Paul gives instruction on how we should deal with those who are weak in their faith and service in the church. We must always strive to be at peace among yourselves, but that doesn't mean we are to keep silent; but, speaking the truth in love,... (Ephesians 4:15) ...as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,... (Colossians 3:12-15)
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18) Notice the use of the words always, without ceasing, in everything. Our praising and praying to God can not be conditional, based on our current situation or circumstances. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (II Corinthians 6:4-10)
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. (I Thessalonians 5:19-22) By the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, we will be able to do this. God's Holy Spirit in us, He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30) ...For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. (I Corinthians 2:10-11) Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. (I John 3:24)
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. (I Thessalonians 5:23-24) We are a triune being, just as God is a Triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I John 5:6-8). For He said when He created us, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;..." (Genesis 1:26) We all have a physical body - and the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7); we all have a spirit - and [the Lord God] breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Genesis 2:7); and we all have a soul - and man became a living being. (Genesis 2:7)
When we die, Then the dust [the body] will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7) But God of peace Himself sanctifies us, and preserves us blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ - ... And deliver [our] soul from hell. (Proverbs 23:14) Our soul will spend eternity somewhere, based on the decision we make while in the body now. We who have accepted Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord can rest assured, because He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. Paul concludes his letter, Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. (I Thessalonians 5:25-28)
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