1 Thessalonians 5:12-22·~1 min

Christian Living

Paul asks the Thessalonians to acknowledge and esteem those who labor among them in the Lord and to live at peace with one another. He also urges the church to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all, and pursue good rather than retaliation.

B¹²ut we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another. ¹⁴And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. ¹⁵Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

Paul calls the church to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in every circumstance, since this is God's will for them in Christ Jesus.

¹⁶Rejoice at all times. ¹⁷Pray without ceasing. ¹⁸Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Paul tells the Thessalonians not to quench the Spirit or despise prophecies, but to test everything, hold fast to what is good, and abstain from every form of evil.

¹⁹Do not extinguish the Spirit. ²⁰Do not treat prophecies with contempt, ²¹but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. ²²Abstain from every form of evil.

Section summaryPaul asks the church to esteem those who labor and lead among them and to live at peace, while also taking patient responsibility for the unruly, fainthearted, and weak. He strings together brief instructions that keep the community open to joy, prayer, thanksgiving, discernment, and the good, while refusing retaliation and evil.

Role in the chapterThis middle section gathers ordinary habits of church life into a dense pattern of communal maturity. It shows watchfulness taking shape not only in doctrine, but in how believers treat leaders, neighbors, worship, and spiritual gifts.