Duties of the Brethren Toward the Congregation

1 Thess. 5:14-15 – 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

It is said the ninety percent of the work accomplished in a congregation is performed by ten percent of the membership. Leaders can only do their work. Members must not only encourage the leadership, but they must also fulfill their responsibilities to the other members.

• Warn the Unruly

First, the members are to “warn those who are unruly” (5:14a). The “unruly” are those who are disorderly, behaving irresponsibly, show a lack of spiritual discipline. Like a soldier marching out of rank or out of step. This is found in those who are rebellious and defiant Christians.

To be warned can be translated to “admonished”. These unruly members must be told to shape up and to mend their ways. This is a grave responsibility according to Ezekiel 3:18-19: “when I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.”

• Comfort the Fainthearted

Next, they are to “comfort the fainthearted” (5:14b). “Feebleminded” in the King James has too harsh a connotation. Literally the “fainthearted” means those who are “small-souled” or “little of soul.” Those in the congregation who are discouraged, who have lack of self-confidence and self-worth These are the ones who need “comfort.” The word is used in relation to the comfort friends were bringing Mary and Martha at the death of Lazarus (John 11:19).

• Uphold the Weak

Another duty is to “uphold the weak” (5:14c). This may refer to those who are weak in the faith as newborn babes in Christ. However, there is nothing said that this command be limited to novices. It could refer to those who are simply not as strong as they ought to be. Of these Paul wrote, “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (Eph. 4:14). Perhaps a phone call, an invitation to lunch.

These weak members need someone to prop them up to support them. It is like the “buddy system” where the instructor assigns a strong swimmer to buddy up with a weaker swimmer. During the Israelites battle with the Amalekites, Joshua was leading the children of Israel into battle. As long as Moses was able to hold up the rod they were winning, but when his arms grew heavy the Amalekites began to prevail in battle. Seeing this Aaron and Hur set Moses on a rock and each one took and arm to support until the battle was won (Ex. 17ff). Sometimes we all become weak and need someone to hold up our arms in battle.

• Be Patient Toward All

The next command of Paul will benefit everyone. “Brethren, be patient with all” (5:14d). Patience comes from the Greek makrothumia. It is longsuffering. As Noah who patiently endured everyone in the wicked world while preaching righteousness and preparing the ark.  Like the sign in an office reads, “Please be patient with me, God is not finished with me yet!”

• Stop Revenge

“See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone” (5:15a). Retaliation is not a right granted to every man. The “eye for and eye” concept taken out of the Old Testament has been greatly abused. The Law of Moses was not granting everyone a fair chance to see personal revenge. It was used to limit the punishment of the criminal so as not to exceed the crime. Jesus taught His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount, “but I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. …But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Mt. 5:39,44). To the Romans Paul wrote, “repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:17-21). William Arthur Dunkerley said, “wrong cannot right the wrongs that wrong has done”. When somebody does wrong to a Christian the latter must respond by doing good in return.” Only God can exact true and just revenge. Christians must let God do His job, otherwise the cycle of revenge may never end.

• Pursue Good

“But always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all” (5:15b). This is the counter command to the prohibition of repaying evil for evil. It is to be obeyed in relationship to the brethren and to the world. This would be a good definition of agape love. This reminds us of the Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12. In every situation stop and thing about achieve the best possible positive outcome.

Ever wonder what you could do for the church. Here Paul list three things you can do as a leader for the brethren: work hard, care for and protect them, and admonish them. He lists three things you can do for the leadership: recognize them, esteem them, and be at peace. When it comes to the rest of the brethren and the world he commanded six more duties: warn the unruly, uphold the weak, comfort the fainthearted, be patient with all, stop revenge, and pursue good.

– Daniel R. Vess