And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you—erōtōmen de hymas, adelphoi, eidenai tous kopiōntas en hymin kai proistamenous hymōn en Kyriō kai nouthetountas hymas (ἐρωτῶμεν δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, εἰδέναι τοὺς κοπιῶντας ἐν ὑμῖν καὶ προϊσταμένους ὑμῶν ἐν Κυρίῳ καὶ νουθετοῦντας ὑμᾶς). Paul transitions to church order (vv. 12-22). Leaders are described three ways:
kopiōntas (κοπιῶντας, 'laboring to exhaustion')—ministry is hard work, not honored position
proistamenous en Kyriō (προϊσταμένους ἐν Κυρίῳ, 'leading/ruling in the Lord')—exercising oversight under Christ's authority
nouthetountas (νουθετοῦντας, 'admonishing/warning')—confronting sin and error.
To know them (eidenai, εἰδέναι, 'to know/recognize/appreciate')—not mere awareness but respectful recognition of their ministry.
Churches need leaders; leaders need recognition. The three-fold description emphasizes servant-leadership: toiling laborers, not domineering lords (1 Pet 5:3); rulers 'in the Lord,' not autonomous authorities; admonishers who warn, not flatterers who placate. Biblical eldership combines affectionate care (like nursing mothers, 2:7) with firm admonition (like fathers, 2:11).
Historical Context
The Thessalonian church was young (months old) without established leadership structures. Paul apparently appointed leaders during his brief ministry (cf. Acts 14:23) who continued pastoring after his departure. Some members may have resisted these leaders' authority, especially admonition. Paul establishes pastoral authority: leaders who labor, rule, and admonish deserve recognition. This balanced authoritarianism (clergy lording over laity) and egalitarianism (rejecting all leadership). Biblical church polity requires both servant-leaders and submissive members (Heb 13:17), authority exercised humbly and received willingly.
Questions for Reflection
How do you recognize and appreciate those who labor, lead, and admonish in your church?
What evidence demonstrates that your church leaders exercise servant-authority ('in the Lord') rather than domineering control?
How do you respond to spiritual admonition—with defensiveness or with teachability?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you—erōtōmen de hymas, adelphoi, eidenai tous kopiōntas en hymin kai proistamenous hymōn en Kyriō kai nouthetountas hymas (ἐρωτῶμεν δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, εἰδέναι τοὺς κοπιῶντας ἐν ὑμῖν καὶ προϊσταμένους ὑμῶν ἐν Κυρίῳ καὶ νουθετοῦντας ὑμᾶς). Paul transitions to church order (vv. 12-22). Leaders are described three ways:
To know them (eidenai, εἰδέναι, 'to know/recognize/appreciate')—not mere awareness but respectful recognition of their ministry.
Churches need leaders; leaders need recognition. The three-fold description emphasizes servant-leadership: toiling laborers, not domineering lords (1 Pet 5:3); rulers 'in the Lord,' not autonomous authorities; admonishers who warn, not flatterers who placate. Biblical eldership combines affectionate care (like nursing mothers, 2:7) with firm admonition (like fathers, 2:11).