“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”
King James Version (KJV)
5:9 God hath not appointed us to wrath - As he hath the obstinately impenitent.
5:10 Whether we wake or sleep - Be alive or dead at his coming.
5:12 Know them that, Labour among you: Are over you in the Lord: Admonish you. Know - See, mark, take knowledge of them and their work. Sometimes the same person may both labour, that is, preach; be over, or govern; and admonish the flock by particular application to each: sometimes two or more different persons, according as God variously dispenses his gifts. But O, what a misery is it when a man undertakes this whole work without either gifts or graces for any part of it! Why, then, will he undertake it? for pay? What! will he sell both his own soul and all the souls of the flock? What words can describe such a wretch as this? And yet even this may be an honourable man!
5:13 Esteem them very highly - Literally, more than abundantly, in love - The inexpressible sympathy that is between true pastors and their flock is intimated, not only here, but also in divers other places of this epistle. See #1Thess 2:7|,8. For their work's sake - The principal ground of their vast regard for them. But how are we to esteem them who do not work at all?
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together. This assurance is ground for comfort, and especially for comfort for mourners. Edify one another. "Build each other up" (Revised Version); strengthen each other.