1 Thessalonians 5 · Verse 13

1 Thessalonians 5:13

And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
1 Thessalonians 5:13, King James Version

1 Thessalonians 5:13 in other translations

BSBIn love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
WEBand to respect and honor them in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
ASVand to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
YLTand to esteem them very abundantly in love, because of their work; be at peace among yourselves;
DARBYand to regard them exceedingly in love on account of their work. Be in peace among yourselves.
BBEAnd have a high opinion of them in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
WebsterAnd to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

What does 1 Thessalonians 5:13 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
13. very highly--Greek, "exceeding abundantly." for their work's sake--The high nature of their work alone, the furtherance of your salvation and of the kingdom of Christ, should be a sufficient motive to claim your reverential love. At the same time, the word "work," teaches ministers that, while claiming the reverence due to their office, it is not a sinecure, but a "work"; compare "labor" (even to weariness: so the Greek), 1Th 5:12. be at peace among yourselves--The "and" is not in the original. Let there not only be peace between ministers and their flocks, but also no party rivalries among yourselves, one contending in behalf of some one favorite minister, another in behalf of another (Mr 9:50; 1Co 1:12; 4:6).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 13. And to esteem them very highly in love. To cherish for them an affectionate regard. The office of a minister of religion demands respect. They who are faithful in that office have a claim on the kind regards of their fellow-men. The very nature of the office requires them to do good to others, and there is no benefactor who should be treated with more affectionate regard than he who endeavours to save us from ruin; to impart to us the consolations of the gospel in affliction; and to bring us and our families to heaven.

For their work's sake. Not primarily as a personal matter, or on their own account, but on account of the work in which they are engaged. It is a work whose only tendency, when rightly performed, is to do good. It injures no man, but contributes to the happiness of all. It promotes intelligence industry, order, neatness, economy, temperance, chastity, charity, and kindness in this world, and leads to eternal blessedness in the world to come. A man who sincerely devotes himself to such a work has a claim on the kind regards of his fellow-men.

And be at peace among yourselves. Mk 9:50; Rom 12:18; Rom 14:19.

(b) "be at peace" Mk 9:50

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 13 Esteem them very highly in love - Christian ministers, who preach the whole truth, and labor in the word and doctrine, are entitled to more than respect; the apostle commands them to be esteemed ὑπερεκπερισσου, abundantly, and superabundantly; and this is to be done in love; and as men delight to serve those whom they love, it necessarily follows that they should provide for them, and see that they want neither the necessaries nor conveniences of life; I do not say comforts, though these also should be furnished; but of these the genuine messengers of Christ are frequently destitute. However, they should have food, raiment, and lodging for themselves and their household. This they ought to have for their work's sake; those who do not work should not eat. As ministers of Christ, such as labor not are unworthy either of respect or support.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15

The ministers of the gospel are described by the work of their office, which is to serve and honour the Lord. It is their duty not only to give good counsel, but also to warn the flock of dangers, and reprove for whatever may be amiss. The people should honour and love their ministers, because their business is the welfare of men's souls. And the people should be at peace among themselves, doing all they can to…

Read the full comment on 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 →

1 Thessalonians 5:13 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiandG2532
ἡγεῖσθαιhēgeisthaito esteemG2233
αὐτοὺςautousthemG846
ὑπερεκπερισσοῦhuperekperissousuper overexcessivelyG5228
ἐνeninG1722
ἀγάπῃagapēloveG26
διὰdiabecause ofG1223
τὸtotheG3588
ἔργονergonworkG2041
αὐτῶν.autōnof them.G846
εἰρηνεύετεeirēneuetedo be at peaceG1514
ἐνenamongG1722
ἑαυτοῖς.¶he'autoisyourselves.G1438

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Thessalonians 5:13

  • Mark 9:50

    Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

  • Hebrews 12:14

    Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

  • Galatians 6:6

    Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

  • James 3:18

    And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

  • John 13:34-35

    A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:7-11

    Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. …

  • Psalms 133:1

    A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

  • 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

    Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

  • Ephesians 4:3

    Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

  • Galatians 4:14

    And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

  • Genesis 45:24

    So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.

  • Galatians 5:22

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
esteem.
Mt 10:40; 1Co 4:1,2; 9:7-11; Ga 4:14; 6:6
and be.
Ge 45:24; Ps 133:1; Mr 9:50; Lu 7:3-5; Joh 13:34,35; 15:17
Ro 4:17-19; 2Co 13:11; Ga 5:22; Eph 4:3; Col 3:15; 2Th 3:16
2Ti 2:22; Heb 12:14; Jas 3:18

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:12

    And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:13

    And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:14

    Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

Read all of 1 Thessalonians 5

1 Thessalonians 5:13 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y que los tengáis en mucha estima por amor de su obra. Tened paz los unos con los otros.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		et de les estimer très haut en amour à cause de leur œuvre. Soyez en paix entre vous.
German
Elberfelder 1871		und daß ihr sie über die Maßen in Liebe achtet, um ihres Werkes willen. Seid in Frieden untereinander.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		ut habeatis illos abundantius in caritate propter opus illorum: pacem habete cum eis.