“Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another” (Rom. 15:14).

 

“warn… comfort… uphold… be patient” (1 Thess. 5:14, NKJV)

In some churches it seems like the pastor is the doer of ministry, at least the important ministry. The rest are the supporting cast, the cheerleaders, the financial backers. But actually, the pastor has the job of equipping the saints for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:11-14).

It is the body of Christ, the church community, where the various parts function for the kingdom work to be done. The fifty or so “one another” passages of the New Testament describe the body life of the church for its spiritual growth. Believers are to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, love another, confess their sins to one another, admonish one another, and all sorts of other engagements for the sake of Christ.

As the apostle winds down his letter, he addresses not the pastor but the people. “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all” (1 Thess. 5:14). Of course, the leaders of the church at Thessalonica would be included in Paul’s exhortation, but not as the exclusive doers. If anything, the leaders would be trainers and encouragers and examples for the flock.

Paul speaks to four areas where the people are to be engaged in the lives of the community. Likely, each area has to do with the various issues he has addressed in his letter, for application and reinforcement.

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