MESSAGE 10 - 1 THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 5:12-14 – CHURCH LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AND PRACTICAL MATTERS FOR CHRISTIANS
RESPECT YOUR SHEPHERDS
We will continue with the studies in 1Thessalonians, and today we will look at the governing of a church and the shepherd role within the leadership.
PART A. {{1Thessalonians 5:12 “We request of you, brethren, that you APPRECIATE those who diligently labour among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 1Thess 5:13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.}}
BREAKDOWN OF THE VERSE
Before we go any further we will look at the two positions in this verse. Firstly, that of the ministry workers – these words are used “diligently labour”, “have charge”, “give instruction”. Then there is the flock they guard and its response – these words are used “appreciate those”, “esteem them very highly”.
You will notice of course that all these words are in the plural, and in this small/smaller church at Thessalonica, the men who had the responsibility for care, nurture and wellbeing were plural. This is in contrast with what grew up in the church after the first century where it began to change to that of a one man in charge, and he took the title of bishop. It is that way today in nearly every church but it was not so in the apostolic churches, and I think as that was installed by God, then that is the best way.
Paul draws their attention to the leadership among them. The p?esß?te???, were the leaders that the apostles were accustomed to place in newly founded churches such as in this – {{Acts 14:23 “When they had appointed ELDERS for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”}} The word p?esß?t????? is “elders. Elders, always plural, were appointed in every church. That was the leadership; no one single person in charge.
The people were asked to recognise and appreciate the ones who were labouring among them. These were the ones who had responsibility over the flock of God’s sheep, and whose charge it was to keep them, and to instruct the flock. The people had to recognise that, and that word “APPRECIATE” in verse 12 is translated in different ways - appreciate (NASB) or recognise (Holman and Meyer) or respect (ESV), acknowledge (NIV). It really means to know as in appreciate. The assembly was to understand these shepherds of God and the nature of their duties, and to know their character and labours, to have proper acquaintance with them. Paul tells the Thessalonians that they had to esteem these men very highly because of the work they were doing, and that is done in love. It is a solemn position because these men have to be accountable before the Lord for how they shepherded the sheep.
THE FIVE (5) WORDS OF CHURCH LEADERSHIP IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Paul speaks of this church position in other places in the New Testament and uses specific words for that SAME POSITION. The different words relate to the specific ministry that position holds. In different bible versions, and in translations, these words get mixed up all the time. However there are 5 of these words, all referring to different aspects of the same office or position the men held in the leadership of the church. These are the five words –
[1]. ELDER – The word suggests a tried and older man. We know this most clearly from Israel’s history. It does not mean “an ancient man” but a man well experienced and tried in the things of God, and certainly not a novice. Israel’s elders were leaders among their people. Now it comes to be understood as a man well grounded with a long/er walk with God. Here are some thoughts for “elder” from Strong’s Concordance:-
[[“An elder, of age, advanced in life, an elder, a senior. It can mean forefathers or a term of rank or office. Among the Jews, it meant (1) members of the great council or Sanhedrin (because in early times the rulers of the people, judges, etc., were selected from elderly men) and (2) of those who in separate cities managed public affairs and administered justice.” Among the Christians, the elders presided over the assemblies (or churches). The word “Presbyter” means elder.]]
[2]. BISHOP – There are 6 times the word “episkopos” is translated “bishop” in the KJV in the New Testament. It is used in the King James Version because King James had some influence in that translation and demanded the use of that word when the translators preferred “overseers”! The NASB and NIV correctly use “overseer” for this Greek word. This is the explanation from Strong’s Concordance:- [[“An overseer is a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others, are done rightly. He is any curator, guardian or superintendent, and the superintendent, elder, or overseer of a Christian church.”
From Thayer’s Concordance:- “An overseer is a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian or superintendent. In the New Testament he is a guardian of souls and one who watches over their welfare.”]]
[3]. OVERSEER - (same Greek word as for “bishop” in the KJV) – clearly from its definition, “one who watches over”. The reason for this position is to keep the flock safe and to protect them and to foresee the problems that may come their way. It implies a care and wisdom for the church with internal and external problems, and the ability to deal with those problems. See the definition above for bishop because the word rightly is translated “OVERSEER”. {{Acts 20:28-29 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you OVERSEERS, to SHEPHERD the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock”}}
[4]. SHEPHERD – a study of the shepherd role in the Scriptures will indicate what is required in this aspect of the office:- {{1Peter 5:1-3 “Therefore, I exhort the ELDERS among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, SHEPHERD the flock of God among you, not exercising OVERSIGHT under compulsion, but voluntarily according to the will of God, and not for sordid gain but with eagerness, not lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.”}}
(a) Psalm 23. Feeding the flock; leading the flock, not driving them or discouraging the flock; bringing spiritual contentment to the flock (lie down in green pastures). A ministry of restoration – an ability to comfort the hurting – able to protect them in spiritual battles (ecclesiastical and personal) (“staff”). Be a corrector in discipline (rod).
(b) John 10. Each sheep is taught to follow NOT the shepherd, but the Lord for He is the Shepherd, the Good Shepherd and the Chief Shepherd and the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. Too many “shepherds” these days want a personal following. The individual is more important than the whole! One absent or lost sheep demands attention and inconvenience is of no account when seeking the restoration and growth and welfare of that sheep (parable of the 100 sheep). However the whole is made up of individuals. It is a sacrificial role, a fact that some modern day “pastors” don’t realise or practise, or honour. The mind set is “prepared to lay down his life for the sheep”.
[5]. PASTOR – and of course, this word. In many ways this is very similar to shepherd, possibly slightly more embracing. For the words in the original Greek the breakup in the KJV translation is - shepherd 15, Shepherd 2, pastor 1. The shepherd and pastor are interchangeable words for the same office/position.
The NASB uses “pastor” once in the translation, as does the NIV also. This is the verse:- {{Ephesians 4:11 “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as PASTORS and teachers, Eph 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;”}} The word for “pastor” in verse 11 is p??µ??a? (poimenas) which Strong’s says is shepherd. It is another word for that position.
CONCLUDING THE QUICK LOOK AT THESE POSITIONS
Summing up, all these 5 words are used of the same position of leadership of God’s people – elder/presbyter, bishop, overseer, shepherd, and pastor. They provided care and instruction and teaching for the members. Each church was governed by a plurality of elders. It was only in the 2nd century that a clerical organisation of the church grew up which ended in the Roman Catholic church, full of ecclesiastical or hierarchal positions. Some Protestant churches love their hierarchy also.
Verse 13 ends with “live in peace with one another”. It does not say, “live in peace with all men” because that is not possible as the world outside is hostile for Christians and getting worse very quickly, but we must live in peace with one another, our fellow Christians. Even this is difficult because of disagreements that arise, and because of personalities, but we don’t take up arms over it.
PART B. THOSE WHO HAVE PROBLEMS – OR ARE PROBLEMS
{{1Thessalonians 5:14 “We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men.”}}
This verse is not addressed to the elders, but is given to ALL the people in the Christian group at Thessalonica. There are 4 commands.
(1). THE UNRULY. The first is, “admonish/caution, reprimand, scold the unruly.” The same word for unruly (NIV “idle and disruptive”) was used of a soldier who deserted his rank in the Roman army, or who was not in a proper marching order – he was out of line. There were a few problem people at the assembly in Thessalonica as this verse from chapter 3 proves – verse 11. {{2Thessalonians 3:11 “For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.”}} Back in 1 Thessalonians 4 v 11, the same group is considered – {{“and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you.”}} (ESV). These were disorderly people, out of line through choice or stubbornness, or neglect. People like that cause a lot of pain and havoc in a church. They are troublemakers.
I quote from Barnes who puts his finger on it well – [[“The word used here, “ata?t??” (ataktos), is one which properly means "not keeping the ranks," as of soldiers; and then irregular, confused, neglectful of duty, disorderly. The reference here is to the members of the church who were irregular in their Christian walk. It is not difficult, in an army, when soldiers get out of the line, or leave their places in the ranks, or are thrown into confusion, to see that little can be accomplished in such a state of irregularity and confusion. When the members of a church are out of their places, it is difficult to see little being accomplished in such a state. Many a church is like an army where half the soldiers are out of the line; where there is entire insubordination in the ranks, and where not half of them could be depended on for efficient service in a campaign. Indeed, an army would accomplish little if as large a proportion of it were irregular, idle, remiss, or pursuing their own aims to the neglect of the public interest, as there are members of the church who can never be depended on in accomplishing the great purpose for which it was organised.”]]
(2). THE FAINTHEARTED. The second command is to “encourage the fainthearted”. For many years in my earlier Christian life, I was of a different opinion about this, from what I know today. The KJV translates this as “comfort the feeble-minded”. At Teachers’ College we were told about intelligence scale – genius ? pure idiot. I used to think we had a ministry to those of poor intelligence and how to get gospel concepts across to them. However the problem lies, as it often does, in the mistranslation of the KJV. This phrase in Greek is translated in the following manner - “encourage the disheartened” (NIV) “encourage the fainthearted” (ESV NASB) “comfort the discouraged” (Holman).
Now, who are the fainthearted, the disheartened and the discouraged? Officeworks by Microsoft has the following synonyms for “fainthearted” – [timid, cowardly, livy-livered, spineless, fearful, nervous, weak, timorous, afraid, pusillanimous.] I am certain that we can dismiss some of those and retain these which I am sure Paul had in mind – [timid, fearful, nervous, weak, timorous, afraid.] And, we can add, [shy, and not-adventurous, and retiring]. Let us look how these applied to what Paul was writing about. Do you remember back at the close of chapter 4, Paul wrote these words – {{1Thessalonians 4:18 “Therefore encourage one another with these words.”}} Some of the people were disheartened and afraid and nervous because some of their loved ones had died before the Rapture had come, and they thought they had missed out. They were worried and concerned. This is what it is all about. In Thessalonica, they all were to encourage one another.
In our daily lives, in this hectic world, some Christians get worried about sin, and their personal problems, and the state of world affairs and their families and their security and jobs, even their salvation. This world is full of conflict and hatred. We are all to encourage one another especially those who fall into the timid and afraid category, and also those who are weak in the faith. The Romans were told in {{Romans 14:1 to “Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.”}}
There is a warning to those who think they are strong lest they fall. There is no place for Christian superiority or thinking you have made it, and others are left behind in your dust. God will have no part of that Laodicean attitude of smugness. In fact we need to consider carefully, this verse – {{2Corinthians 13:4 “Indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God, for we also are weak in Him, yet we shall live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.”}}
Do you recall who was the son of consolation? It was Barnabas, the great encourager. I want to look at something he did – {{Acts 11:22 “and the news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Acts 11:23 Then when he had come and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord, Acts 11:24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. Acts 11:25 He left for Tarsus to look for Saul Acts 11:26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch, and it came about that for an entire year they met with the church, and taught considerable numbers, and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”}}
(3). HELP THE WEAK. The third command is to help the weak and it does not refer just to those who are ill and laid aside, and are elderly, though they would be included in this command to help. A few verses here to consider are these – {{1Corinthians 8:9 “but take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak”}} There are certain things one Christian might to with a good conscience but it would offend others. We speak about legitimate things not evil things. In those days one might purchase meat where the animal had been previously sacrificed to some pagan god. A “strong” Christian might buy the meat from the market while a “weaker” one can’t get over the fact that it had been sacrificed to a pagan god.
We look at this passage also – {{Acts 20:33 “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. Acts 20:34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. Acts 20:35 In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”}} Remember this most important fact, that even the weakest saint in the Lord Jesus Christ is in a different league from even the most powerful and influential non-Christian in this world, made clear by Paul here – {{1Corinthians 1:27 “but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.”}}
We should all accommodate ourselves to the weakness we all have in things, and which certain believers have, so we don’t use our liberty to their offence, and hindrance in their lives. We need to bear with them in their failings, in weakness, and not to condemn or despise them; and not to please ourselves - without any regard to others. We should be willing to deny ourselves, if by it, we may promote the happiness of others. This refers particularly to "opinions" about meats and drinks; but it may be applied to Christian conduct generally, as denoting that we are not to make our own happiness or gratification the standard of our conduct, but are to seek the welfare of others. As Romans tells us – {{Romans 15 v 1-3 - “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbour for his good, to build him up, for Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”}} (ESV)
(4). PATIENCE IS REQUIRED. The fourth command is to be patient with all men. The word used here µa?????µe? (makrothumei) denotes "endurance," a slowness to anger or demonstrate passion; longsuffering, patient endurance, forbearance. It is opposed to haste; to passionate expressions and thoughts, and to irritability. It denotes the state of mind which can endure long when oppressed, provoked, and when one seeks to injure us, or makes false and malicious statements against us. It consists in the deferring or moderating of anger, to wait without anger when men delay us, and to suffer without undue anger when they deal injuriously with us, whether they be good men or evil, believers or infidels, the strong or the weak, ministers or people. It is patience towards all men, not just the saints. Patience is one of the gifts of the Spirit. In these last days we need God’s help in exhibiting these works of the Holy Spirit in an increasingly hostile world.
I have read a lot of the early church in histories and the great descriptions of persecutions in Roman times, and Roman Catholic times of the middle ages. The patience these believers had was astounding, and it had to be the grace of God to them in vile torture from Satan’s hand.
God bless you all
ronaldf@aapt.net.au
