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.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 in other translations
| BSB | And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. |
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| WEB | We exhort you, brothers: Admonish the disorderly; encourage the faint-hearted; support the weak; be patient toward all. |
| ASV | And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all. |
| YLT | and we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the infirm, be patient unto all; |
| DARBY | But we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, sustain the weak, be patient towards all. |
| BBE | And our desire is that you will keep control over those whose lives are not well ordered, giving comfort to the feeble-hearted, supporting those with little strength, and putting up with much from all. |
| Webster | Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are disorderly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient towards all men. |
What does 1 Thessalonians 5:14 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Warn them. The same word which in 1Thes 5:12 is rendered admonish. It is the duty of every church member, as well as of the ministers of the gospel, affectionately to admonish those whom they know to be living contrary to the requirements of the gospel. One reason why there is so little piety in the church, and why so many professors of religion go astray, is, that the great mass of church members feel no responsibility on this subject. They suppose that it is the duty only of the officers of the church to admonish an erring brother, and hence many become careless and cold and worldly, and no one utters a kind word to them to recall them to a holy walk with God.
That are unruly. Marg., disorderly. The word here used (ατακτος) is one which properly means not keeping the ranks, as of soldiers; and then irregular, confused, neglectful of duty, disorderly. The reference here is to the members of the church who were irregular in their Christian walk. It is not difficult, in an army, when soldiers get out of the line, or leave their places in the ranks, or are thrown into confusion, to see that little can be accomplished in such a state of irregularity and confusion. As little difficult is it, when the members of a church are out of their places, to see that little can be accomplished in such a state. Many a church is like an army where half the soldiers are out of the line; where there is entire insubordination in the ranks, and where not half of them could be depended on for efficient service in a campaign. Indeed, an army would accomplish little, if as large a proportion of it were irregular, idle, remiss, or pursuing their own aims to the neglect of the public interest, as there are members of the church who can never be depended on in accomplishing the great purpose for which it was organized.
Comfort the feeble-minded. The dispirited; the disheartened; the downcast. To do this is also the duty of each church member. There are almost always those who are in this condition, and it is not easy to appreciate the value of a kind word to one in that state, Christians are assailed by temptation; in making efforts to do good they are opposed and become disheartened; in their contests with their spiritual foes they are almost overcome; they walk through shades of spiritual night, and find no comfort. In such circumstances, how consoling is the voice of a friend! How comforting is it to feel that they are not alone! How supporting to be addressed by one who has had the same conflicts, and has triumphed! Every Christian--especially every one who has been long in the service of his Master--has a fund of experience which is the property of the church, and which may be of incalculable value to those who are struggling now amidst many embarrassments along the Christian way. He who has that experience should help a weak and sinking brother; he should make his own experience of the efficacy of religion in his trials and conflicts, the means of sustaining others in their struggles. There is no one who would not reach out his hand to save a child borne down a rapid stream; yet how often do experienced and strong men in the Christian faith pass by those who are struggling in the "deep waters, where the proud waves have come over their souls!"
Support the weak. Rom 15:1.
Be patient toward all men. See the Greek word here used, explained 1Cor 13:4. Comp. Eph 4:2; Gal 5:22, Col 3:12.
(2) "exhort" "beseech" (3) "unruly" "disorderly" (d) "weak" Rom 15:1 (e) "patient toward all men" Eph 4:2
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
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…
1 Thessalonians 5:14 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.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for 1 Thessalonians 5:14
- 2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
- Romans 14:1
Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
- Acts 20:35
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-7
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
- Isaiah 35:3-4
Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
- Galatians 6:1-2
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
- Romans 15:1-3
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
- 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13
For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
- Hebrews 5:2-3
Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
- Colossians 1:28
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
- 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12
But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: …
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Ro 12:1
you.
12
warn.
Jer 6:12; Eze 3:17-21; 33:3-9; Ac 20:27,31; 1Co 4:14; Col 1:28
that.
Tit 1:6,10
unruly. or, disorderly.
2Th 3:11-13
comfort.
2:7-12; Isa 35:3,4; 40:1,2,11; Eze 34:16; Mt 12:20; Lu 22:32
Joh 21:15-17; Ro 14:1; 15:1-3; Ga 6:1,2; Heb 12:12
support.
Ac 20:35; *Gr:
be.
Isa 63:9; 1Co 13:4,5; Ga 5:22; Eph 4:2,32; 5:1,2; Col 3:12,13
1Ti 3:3; 6:11; 2Ti 2:24,25; 4:2; Heb 5:2,3; 13:3
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- 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.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | También os rogamos, hermanos, que amonestéis á los que andan desordenadamente, que consoléis á los de poco ánimo, que soportéis á los flacos, que seáis sufridos para con todos. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Or nous vous exhortons, frères: avertissez les déréglés, consolez ceux qui sont découragés, venez en aide aux faibles, usez de patience envers tous. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Wir ermahnen euch aber, Brüder: Weiset die Unordentlichen zurecht, tröstet die Kleinmütigen, nehmet euch der Schwachen an, seid langmütig gegen alle. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Rogamus autem vos, fratres, corripite inquietos, consolamini pusillanimes, suscipite infirmos, patientes estote ad omnes. |