1 thessalonians 5:12-18 lectio divina
Answers
Answer:
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Explanation:
On the last two occasions we have spent much time looking at the wonderful future that awaits all those who are Christians. The anticipation of Christ’s second coming. It is good and right that we should look forward to it and that we should live in this life / this present world with our eyes on eternity.
However, it is possible to become so preoccupied with the future that we neglect the present responsibility. If we become stargazers and neglect our present duties we have completely missed the point of what the NT teaches about the return of Christ. It would seems that this was something of a problem with certain people in Thessalonica and Paul gives guidelines for living in Chapter 4 and now at the end of the letter he gives more instructions – this time related to the congregation particularly.
At first sight it might seem that these are just a random collection of instruction but they do group together around certain issues relating to congregational life.
1. The Congregation and Its Leaders – v.12 – 13
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
Who are these people who the congregation are to respect and hold in high regard?
Paul describes them in three ways those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you – He is not talking about three distinct groups of people but is making general comments about those who have leadership responsibilities within the congregation.
He is not talking here about paid clergy – there was not such thing in the early church.