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11 Therefore, encourage one another and strengthen one another, as indeed you are doing.

Building Up the Community[a]

12 Show Respect for Leaders.[b]Brethren, we beg you to respect those whose duty it is to labor among you as your leaders in the Lord and to admonish you. 13 Show the highest esteem for them in love because of their work. Be at peace with one another.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 In this section Paul gives brief but cogent instructions in building a community. He especially lists the responsibilities of Christians toward leaders (vv. 12-13), toward all (vv. 14-15), toward themselves (vv. 16-18), and toward public worship (vv. 19-22).
  2. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 Christians must show respect for their leaders, just as those same leaders must show caring leadership for their people. The leaders were undoubtedly the “bishops” and “presbyters” of 1 Tim 3:1-2; 5:17; Tit 1:5. Christians must hold these leaders in the highest esteem and render them wholehearted support in a spirit of love.

11 Therefore encourage one another(A) and build each other up,(B) just as in fact you are doing.

Final Instructions

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard(C) among you, who care for you in the Lord(D) and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.(E)

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