1 Thessalonians 5:14 kjv
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 nkjv
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 niv
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 esv
And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 nlt
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
1 Thessalonians 5 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Thess 5:14 | "warn the disorderly" | Gentle rebuke for errant behavior |
| Prov 27:5 | "Better is open rebuke than hidden love." | Value of honest correction |
| Prov 29:15 | "The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a ruling child disgraces its mother." | Discipline brings wisdom |
| Gal 6:1 | "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently..." | Restoring with gentleness |
| Titus 3:10 | "Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them..." | Repeated warning for divisive members |
| 2 Thess 3:6 | "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ we command you, brothers, to keep away from any brother who is wrongly inactive..." | Instruction to withdraw from the idle |
| Heb 12:11 | "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace..." | The result of discipline |
| Jas 5:20 | "Brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back..." | Turning a sinner back |
| Eph 5:11 | "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." | Exposing wrongdoing |
| Matt 18:15 | "If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over." | Private confrontation |
| Luke 17:3 | "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him." | Rebuke and forgiveness |
| 1 Cor 5:5 | "...deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." | Discipline for severe sin |
| Rom 15:14 | "I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another." | Competence to instruct |
| 1 Pet 4:8 | "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." | Love covering sins |
| Prov 1:7 | "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." | Importance of instruction |
| 1 Thess 4:11 | "...and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you..." | Instruction for quiet life |
| 2 Thess 3:11 | "For we hear that some among you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work." | Identifying disorderly conduct |
| Heb 12:15 | "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." | Preventing falling short of grace |
| 1 Tim 5:20 | "Those who sin should be rebuked openly before all, so that the others may also fear." | Open rebuke for public sin |
| 2 Tim 4:2 | "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with complete patience and teaching." | Patience in reproving |
1 Thessalonians 5 verses
1 Thessalonians 5 14 Meaning
The verse admonishes believers to "warn the disorderly." This involves speaking correction to those who are deviating from a life of faith and godliness. It's an act of pastoral care, aiming for restoration and spiritual well-being.
1 Thessalonians 5 14 Context
First Thessalonians chapter 5 focuses on the imminent return of Christ and how believers should live in light of that expectation. The preceding verses (v. 12-13) establish the importance of respecting and recognizing leaders who labor among them and live peaceably. Verse 14, therefore, flows directly from this idea of communal peace and order, identifying specific actions believers should take towards those disrupting this harmony or living a life of ungodliness. The historical context involves a young church facing internal challenges, possibly including idleness and improper conduct, as hinted at in other parts of the letter (e.g., 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12).
1 Thessalonians 5 14 Word Analysis
paramuthēte (παραμυθέω): This Greek word translates to "admonish," "urge," "comfort," or "exhort." While it carries a sense of encouragement, in this context, especially with "disorderly," it leans towards a firm but caring correction. It’s not harsh condemnation but rather a persuasive, perhaps even consoling, effort to bring someone back to the right path. It can imply speaking gently, like a parent to a child.
atomous (ἀτόμους): Meaning "disorderly," "unruly," "out of ranks," or "those not keeping their place." It refers to individuals who are not functioning harmoniously within the body of believers. This could manifest as idleness, gossip, insubordination, or a general lack of diligent, productive Christian living, disrupting the community's peace and testimony.
phanerouste (φανάρουστε): This translates to "make manifest," "make known," or "expose." It implies bringing something out into the open, revealing it. When linked with "admonish," it suggests that the warning or correction should not be done secretly or in a way that is overlooked, but rather with clarity and intention, though not necessarily public shaming. It is about bringing the disorderly behavior to light through the act of warning.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "warn the disorderly": This phrase encapsulates a specific pastoral responsibility within the church. It's an active directive to address aberrant behavior within the community. The term "warn" (paramuthēte) implies not just pointing out fault but also guiding towards the correct way, often with the intention of restoration, rather than ostracization. The "disorderly" (atomous) are those who are not living in a way that honors God or contributes positively to the community, often characterized by a lack of purpose or diligence in their faith walk.
1 Thessalonians 5 14 Bonus Section
The concept of "disorderly" in this context has been historically interpreted to include behaviors like idleness, refusing to work, and creating disturbances. The apostle Paul addresses this explicitly in 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, stating, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat." This implies a strong emphasis on responsibility and contributing to the community. The goal of the warning is not to punish but to restore the person to a right relationship with God and their brothers and sisters in Christ, enabling them to be a blessing rather than a disruption. It reflects the organic nature of the church as the body of Christ, where each part should function correctly for the health of the whole.
1 Thessalonians 5 14 Commentary
This verse is a crucial instruction for maintaining healthy community life in the church. It highlights the duty of love that compels believers not to overlook sin or disorder but to address it directly, yet with the intention of restoration rather than condemnation. The "disorderly" are those who have fallen out of step with the apostolic teachings and the way of life expected of Christians, potentially becoming a burden or a negative influence on others. The admonition is to confront this behavior with persuasive, God-honoring counsel, aiming to bring them back into alignment with Christ and the community. It's an expression of caring discipleship that seeks the good of the individual and the health of the church body.