BRUCE C WEARNE concludes his Bible commentary on I Thessalonians…
Our request of you is this: take note of those who labour among you who have oversight of you in the Lord, those who encourage you and for their work’s sake to hold them in high regard in love. And be at peace among yourselves.
And we strongly suggest, brothers [and sisters], that you warn those who are unruly, comfort those who are anxious in spirit, support the frail, be patient with all.
Prevent evil being paid back for evil, but promote good [initiatives] among yourselves and to all [beyond your circle].
Keep joyful. Pray unstintingly. In all things [situations and contexts] give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit; do not look down on prophecy; test and examine everything before giving your approval on any matter; hold fast to the good, abstain from every form of evil. And God Himself make you complete, formed in the image of His holiness, so that you will be a fully mature, breathing, physically active and bodily present persons, kept flawless with nothing to be said to you in admonition until the coming of our Lord Jesus.
He is faithful who calls you and He will do it.
Brothers [and sisters] add us to your prayers. Greet all the brothers [and sisters] with a holy kiss – from us.
I formally request that you have this letter read to all the brothers [and sisters].
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. AMEN.- I Thessalonians 5: 12-28/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne
INSTRUCTION MANUAL: Paul ends his first letter to the Thessalonian church with some final instructions on how to conduct themselves. PICTURE: Ben White/Unsplash
“These are the marks of a healthy Christian community, prayerful and persistent in its joyful thanksgiving to God for His many mercies. Here is a list of his short commands – make sure you are not constraining God’s Spirit in your midst by constraining your joy and thankfulness.”
There are those in your midst, Paul says, who have emerged with overseeing authority. They have been specially gifted with a wisdom that is giving you, as a community, sound direction. You should look out for them, support them. As a community of faith you should be on the alert for identifying such persons. Paul suggests that God indeed sends gifts to His people, gifts that allow oversight, that clearly indicate leadership abilities to those who are being led. Such people deserve honour and respect.
And this is but one side of a community “in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16), a church (EKKLESIA) that is disciplined and self-disciplining. In such a context there is not only a need for due respect to be given to wise leaders, there is also a need to warn those who are tending to run wild and become unruly, those who bridle at lawful authority. Keep them in line, he says.
As well, reckon with the anxious. Give a helping hand to those with little strength. Show patience and understanding to all! Be quick to shut out any tendency to meet evil with evil. This is needful not just for your internal relations but for your relationship with those with whom God has allowed you to dwell.
These are the marks of a healthy Christian community, prayerful and persistent in its joyful thanksgiving to God for His many mercies. Here is a list of his short commands – make sure you are not constraining God’s Spirit in your midst by constraining your joy and thankfulness (see verse 18).
Do not go jumping too quickly on those making prophetic utterances; listen to them; consider what they have said. Their mutterings may be of significant value worth to you. But develop an ethic among yourselves to carefully consider what is put before you.
Take a firm hold on what is good; be resolute in rejecting evil. This is the way of holiness; this is the path by which God is making you whole and complete. You have been called of God to serve Him; He is utterly reliable. That is Paul’s closing comment, as he asks for prayer, as he encourages the Thessalonian church to share this letter fully. This is a way of life in which letters and greetings begin and end with thanks to God for His Grace.
OPEN BOOK: I THESSALONIANS – FINAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CHURCH
BRUCE C WEARNE concludes his Bible commentary on I Thessalonians…
Our request of you is this: take note of those who labour among you who have oversight of you in the Lord, those who encourage you and for their work’s sake to hold them in high regard in love. And be at peace among yourselves.
And we strongly suggest, brothers [and sisters], that you warn those who are unruly, comfort those who are anxious in spirit, support the frail, be patient with all.
Prevent evil being paid back for evil, but promote good [initiatives] among yourselves and to all [beyond your circle].
Keep joyful. Pray unstintingly. In all things [situations and contexts] give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit; do not look down on prophecy; test and examine everything before giving your approval on any matter; hold fast to the good, abstain from every form of evil. And God Himself make you complete, formed in the image of His holiness, so that you will be a fully mature, breathing, physically active and bodily present persons, kept flawless with nothing to be said to you in admonition until the coming of our Lord Jesus.
He is faithful who calls you and He will do it.
Brothers [and sisters] add us to your prayers. Greet all the brothers [and sisters] with a holy kiss – from us.
I formally request that you have this letter read to all the brothers [and sisters].
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. AMEN.- I Thessalonians 5: 12-28/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne
INSTRUCTION MANUAL: Paul ends his first letter to the Thessalonian church with some final instructions on how to conduct themselves. PICTURE: Ben White/Unsplash
“These are the marks of a healthy Christian community, prayerful and persistent in its joyful thanksgiving to God for His many mercies. Here is a list of his short commands – make sure you are not constraining God’s Spirit in your midst by constraining your joy and thankfulness.”
There are those in your midst, Paul says, who have emerged with overseeing authority. They have been specially gifted with a wisdom that is giving you, as a community, sound direction. You should look out for them, support them. As a community of faith you should be on the alert for identifying such persons. Paul suggests that God indeed sends gifts to His people, gifts that allow oversight, that clearly indicate leadership abilities to those who are being led. Such people deserve honour and respect.
And this is but one side of a community “in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16), a church (EKKLESIA) that is disciplined and self-disciplining. In such a context there is not only a need for due respect to be given to wise leaders, there is also a need to warn those who are tending to run wild and become unruly, those who bridle at lawful authority. Keep them in line, he says.
As well, reckon with the anxious. Give a helping hand to those with little strength. Show patience and understanding to all! Be quick to shut out any tendency to meet evil with evil. This is needful not just for your internal relations but for your relationship with those with whom God has allowed you to dwell.
These are the marks of a healthy Christian community, prayerful and persistent in its joyful thanksgiving to God for His many mercies. Here is a list of his short commands – make sure you are not constraining God’s Spirit in your midst by constraining your joy and thankfulness (see verse 18).
Do not go jumping too quickly on those making prophetic utterances; listen to them; consider what they have said. Their mutterings may be of significant value worth to you. But develop an ethic among yourselves to carefully consider what is put before you.
Take a firm hold on what is good; be resolute in rejecting evil. This is the way of holiness; this is the path by which God is making you whole and complete. You have been called of God to serve Him; He is utterly reliable. That is Paul’s closing comment, as he asks for prayer, as he encourages the Thessalonian church to share this letter fully. This is a way of life in which letters and greetings begin and end with thanks to God for His Grace.
Donate
Sight+ is a new benefits program we’ve launched to reward people who have supported us with annual donations of $26 or more. To find out more about Sight+ and how you can support the work of Sight, head to our Sight+ page.
Musings
Biological pattern
TAKE PART IN THE SIGHT READER SURVEY!
We’re interested to find out more about you, our readers, as we improve and expand our coverage and so we’re asking all of our readers to take this survey (it’ll only take a couple of minutes).
To take part in the survey, simply follow this link…