The church must honor and respect its leaders who serve her. This is what Paul teaches in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13. These leaders vary from church to church, some receive remuneration some do not. Some serve as volunteers and others serve as church employees. Regardless, Paul’s teaching applies.
The church must do so by showing an attitude of honor and respect. Paul begins in the same way as chapter 4, begging them, “we ask you, brothers and sisters.” Paul could have used his authority to command, but he doesn’t. He does so by appealing to his relationship with them. He knew they would do it without a doubt. He asks this from everyone and not just a particular group. All “brothers and sisters” in Christ have this obligation. It is quite possible that he had established these leaders in Thessalonaica as this was his custom (see Acts 14:21-23).
They were to show an attitude of honor and respect for them by recognizing those who served:
“to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you.”
The word “recognize” means “to know.” The idea is to recognize them as the leaders they are and give them the honor they deserve. The attitude they deserve is one of honor and respect.
How is this honor and respect demonstrated? The first thing is to recognize his position given by God. Second, submitting and following their lead. This implies that they should accept what they have been called to do.
This recognition or honor is because of what Paul immediately mentions. You must give them this honor and respect because of their work in the church. There are three aspects of their ministerial work for which they must be recognized:
- They serve spiritually: “who labor among you”
These leaders are not the foremen control and command people. This is not biblical leadership. These leaders Paul mentions “labor” or serve until they are exhausted. It is possible that these leaders worked in manual jobs apart from the work of church service. Pastoral work is exhausting as it entails several aspects: spiritual pastoral work that involves teaching, leading and admonition. This work requires diligence, effort, and patience. It requires helping the church live a life that pleases the Lord. They are the ones that carry the burdens of the people they shepherd.
2. Preside over or lead in the Lord: “and lead you in the Lord”
These who serve also carry out the direction and leadership of the church. They lead “in the Lord.” The church is not a company, but the Lord’s church. The leader first duty is to follow the Lord. Then the direction they give comes from the Lord, not from them. They do not lead in their own way, but in the Lord’s way. They lead this in all spiritual aspects. They lead the church by shepherding, which involves leading them in the Lord’s way, caring for them and protecting them spiritually. This work is not easy the church is made up of several types of people as we will look later.
3. Correct the church: “and admonish you”
The role of leaders is to warn or admonish. The word “admonish” means “to put in the mind.” The idea is that the leader puts in the minds of others what they are doing wrong and that they must correct it. This is also not easy as there are people who don’t like to be corrected. But this is the role of the leader. Not only should they correct when someone does something that is not according to the Word of God but must also warn when there is danger. They must give wise counsel.
I read an article that talked about the fact that evangelical couples under the age of 40 who live together before marriage are increasing and they think this is right. He said the pastors didn’t know what to do. Some even stopped doing ceremonies to avoid it. They didn’t know what to do? Paul clearly tells us that the role of leaders is to warn. They must correct them with the truth of God. We have already looked at what he said about this in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, the Lord’s instructions, God’s will is for them to live holy lives and refrain from sexual immorality.
These three roles are what leaders perform. Paul says that because of this, the church must show them an attitude of honor and respect.
