1 Thessalonians 5:14

Authorized King James Version

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Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

Original Language Analysis

παρακαλοῦμεν we exhort G3870
παρακαλοῦμεν we exhort
Strong's: G3870
Word #: 1 of 16
to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
δὲ Now G1161
δὲ Now
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 16
but, and, etc
ὑμᾶς you G5209
ὑμᾶς you
Strong's: G5209
Word #: 3 of 16
you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
ἀδελφοί brethren G80
ἀδελφοί brethren
Strong's: G80
Word #: 4 of 16
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
νουθετεῖτε warn G3560
νουθετεῖτε warn
Strong's: G3560
Word #: 5 of 16
to put in mind, i.e., (by implication) to caution or reprove gently
τοὺς G3588
τοὺς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 6 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀτάκτους them that are unruly G813
ἀτάκτους them that are unruly
Strong's: G813
Word #: 7 of 16
unarranged, i.e., (by implication) insubordinate (religiously)
παραμυθεῖσθε comfort G3888
παραμυθεῖσθε comfort
Strong's: G3888
Word #: 8 of 16
to relate near, i.e., (by implication) encourage, console
τοὺς G3588
τοὺς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀλιγοψύχους the feebleminded G3642
ὀλιγοψύχους the feebleminded
Strong's: G3642
Word #: 10 of 16
little-spirited, i.e., faint-hearted
ἀντέχεσθε support G472
ἀντέχεσθε support
Strong's: G472
Word #: 11 of 16
to hold oneself opposite to, i.e., (by implication) adhere to; by extension to care for
τῶν G3588
τῶν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 12 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀσθενῶν the weak G772
ἀσθενῶν the weak
Strong's: G772
Word #: 13 of 16
strengthless (in various applications, literal, figurative and moral)
μακροθυμεῖτε be patient G3114
μακροθυμεῖτε be patient
Strong's: G3114
Word #: 14 of 16
to be long-spirited, i.e., (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient
πρὸς toward G4314
πρὸς toward
Strong's: G4314
Word #: 15 of 16
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
πάντας all G3956
πάντας all
Strong's: G3956
Word #: 16 of 16
all, any, every, the whole

Analysis & Commentary

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men—parakaloumen de hymas, adelphoi, noutheteite tous ataktous, paramytheisthe tous oligopsychous, antechesthe tōn asthenōn, makrothymeite pros pantas (παρακαλοῦμεν δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, νουθετεῖτε τοὺς ἀτάκτους, παραμυθεῖσθε τοὺς ὀλιγοψύχους, ἀντέχεσθε τῶν ἀσθενῶν, μακροθυμεῖτε πρὸς πάντας). Paul gives specific pastoral counsel for different needs.

  1. Noutheteite tous ataktous (νουθετεῖτε τοὺς ἀτάκτους, 'warn the unruly')—ataktos means 'disorderly, out of rank' (military term), here describing idle busybodies (v. 11; 2 Thess 3:6-12). They need admonition, not comfort.

  2. Paramytheisthe tous oligopsychous (παραμυθεῖσθε τοὺς ὀλιγοψύχους, 'comfort the fainthearted')—oligopsychos means 'small-souled, fainthearted,' those discouraged by persecution or death of loved ones (4:13). They need encouragement, not rebuke.
  3. Antechesthe tōn asthenōn (ἀντέχεσθε τῶν ἀσθενῶν, 'support the weak')—asthenēs indicates those weak in faith, morals, or physical strength. They need patient support.
  4. Makrothymeite pros pantas (μακροθυμεῖτε πρὸς πάντας, 'be patient toward all')—makrothymia is longsuffering patience.

Different people need different ministry; discernment determines appropriate response.

Historical Context

The Thessalonian church included diverse needs: some were idle (v. 11), some grieving (4:13), some weak in faith. Paul teaches differentiated ministry—one-size-fits-all approaches fail. The unruly need confrontation; the fainthearted need comfort; the weak need support; all need patience. This pastoral wisdom remains essential—churches that only confront become harsh; churches that only comfort become permissive; churches that support without accountability enable immaturity. Balanced ministry requires discernment to apply appropriate responses to varying needs while maintaining patience toward all.

Questions for Reflection

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