1 Thessalonians 5:12
New International Version
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.

New Living Translation
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.

English Standard Version
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

Berean Standard Bible
But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who preside over you in the Lord and give you instruction.

Berean Literal Bible
But we implore you, brothers, to appreciate those toiling among you, and taking the lead over you in the Lord, and admonishing you,

King James Bible
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

New King James Version
And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

New American Standard Bible
But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to recognize those who diligently labor among you and are in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you instruction,

NASB 1995
But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,

NASB 1977
But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,

Legacy Standard Bible
But we ask of you, brothers, that you know those who labor among you, and lead you in the Lord and admonish you,

Amplified Bible
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to appreciate those who diligently work among you [recognize, acknowledge, and respect your leaders], who are in charge over you in the Lord and who give you instruction,

Christian Standard Bible
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you,

American Standard Version
But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

Contemporary English Version
My friends, we ask you to be thoughtful of your leaders who work hard and tell you how to live for the Lord.

English Revised Version
But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Brothers and sisters, we ask you to show your appreciation for those leaders who work among you and instruct you.

Good News Translation
We beg you, our friends, to pay proper respect to those who work among you, who guide and instruct you in the Christian life.

International Standard Version
Brothers, we ask you to show your appreciation for those who work among you, set an example for you in the Lord, and instruct you.

Majority Standard Bible
But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who preside over you in the Lord and give you instruction.

NET Bible
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you,

New Heart English Bible
But we ask you, brothers, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you,

Webster's Bible Translation
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

Weymouth New Testament
Now we beg you, brethren, to show respect for those who labour among you and are your leaders in Christian work, and are your advisers;

World English Bible
But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And we ask you, brothers, to know those laboring among you and leading you in the LORD and admonishing you,

Berean Literal Bible
But we implore you, brothers, to appreciate those toiling among you, and taking the lead over you in the Lord, and admonishing you,

Young's Literal Translation
And we ask you, brethren, to know those labouring among you, and leading you in the Lord, and admonishing you,

Smith's Literal Translation
And we ask you, brethren, to know those being fatigued among you, and set over you in the Lord, and reminding you;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And we ask you, brothers, to recognize those who labor among you, and who preside over you in the Lord, and who admonish you,

New American Bible
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who are laboring among you and who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you,

New Revised Standard Version
But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
We beseech you, my brethren, to respect those who labor among you, and admonish you in our LORD and teach you;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But we beg of you, my brethren, that you will recognize those who labor among you and have standing among you in our Lord and teach you,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Now we beseech you, brethren, to have regard for those who labor among you, and preside over you in the Lord, and admonish you,

Godbey New Testament
But we intreat you, brethren, to know those who are laboring among you, and standing before you in the Lord, and admonishing you;

Haweis New Testament
Now we entreat you, brethren, to know those who labour among you, and preside over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

Mace New Testament
We entreat you, brethren, to respect those, who labour in the ministry, who by divine appointment preside over you, and instruct you.

Weymouth New Testament
Now we beg you, brethren, to show respect for those who labour among you and are your leaders in Christian work, and are your advisers;

Worrell New Testament
And we beseech you, brethren, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

Worsley New Testament
And we entreat you, brethren, to respect those that labour among you, and preside over you in the Lord, and instruct you;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Christian Living
11Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing. 12But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who preside over you in the Lord and give you instruction. 13In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.…

Cross References
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

1 Timothy 5:17
Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

1 Corinthians 16:15-16
You know that Stephanas and his household were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. Now I urge you, brothers, / to submit to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.

Philippians 2:29
Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,

1 Peter 5:1-5
As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: / Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ...

Acts 20:28
Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

Ephesians 4:11-12
And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, / to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,

Romans 12:8
if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

1 Corinthians 12:28
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.

2 Corinthians 10:8
For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.

Colossians 4:17
Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”

1 Timothy 3:1-7
This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task. / An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, / not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money. ...

Titus 1:5-9
The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. / An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination. / As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money. ...

Jeremiah 3:15
Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

Ezekiel 34:23
I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd.


Treasury of Scripture

And we beseech you, brothers, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

to know.

1 Corinthians 16:18
For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.

Philippians 2:19
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.

Hebrews 13:7,17
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation…

labour.

1 Thessalonians 2:9
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

Matthew 9:37,38
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; …

Luke 10:1,2,7
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come…

and are.

Acts 20:28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

1 Corinthians 12:28
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Titus 1:5
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

and admonish.

1 Thessalonians 5:14
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

1 Timothy 5:1,20
Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; …

Titus 1:3
But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

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1 Thessalonians 5
1. He proceeds in the description of Christ's coming to judgment;
16. and gives various instructions;
23. and so concludes the epistle.














But we ask you, brothers
The phrase "But we ask you, brothers" serves as a gentle yet earnest appeal from the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonian believers. The Greek word for "ask" here is "ἐρωτάω" (erōtaō), which implies a request made with respect and affection. Paul addresses the recipients as "brothers," indicating a familial bond within the Christian community. This term underscores the unity and equality among believers, emphasizing that the exhortation is not a command from a superior but a loving request from a fellow member of the body of Christ.

to acknowledge
The word "acknowledge" is translated from the Greek "εἰδέναι" (eidenai), which means to know, recognize, or appreciate. This implies more than mere awareness; it calls for a deep appreciation and respect for those who labor in the church. Acknowledging leaders is an act of honoring their God-given roles and responsibilities, fostering a spirit of gratitude and support within the congregation.

those who work diligently among you
This phrase highlights the tireless efforts of church leaders. The Greek word for "work diligently" is "κοπιάω" (kopiaō), which conveys the idea of laboring to the point of exhaustion. It reflects the dedication and commitment required of those who serve the church. Historically, early church leaders faced numerous challenges, including persecution and limited resources, yet they persevered in their mission. Recognizing their hard work is crucial for maintaining a healthy and thriving church community.

who preside over you in the Lord
The term "preside over" comes from the Greek "προΐστημι" (proistēmi), meaning to lead, manage, or direct. This leadership is not authoritarian but is exercised "in the Lord," indicating that it is grounded in Christ's example of servant leadership. Leaders are called to guide the congregation with humility and love, reflecting the character of Jesus. This phrase also implies a divinely ordained structure within the church, where leaders are accountable to God for their stewardship.

and give you instruction
The phrase "give you instruction" is derived from the Greek "νουθετέω" (noutheteō), which means to admonish, warn, or teach. This involves not only imparting knowledge but also guiding believers in righteous living. Instruction is a vital aspect of spiritual growth, helping the church to remain faithful to biblical teachings. In the historical context, this would have included teaching the doctrines of the faith, correcting errors, and encouraging believers to live according to the gospel.

(12) We now come to minor details of instruction, no doubt suggested by observation of manifest defects in the Thessalonian Church. These details show us still further the mixture of restless ungoverned zeal with gloomy forebodings and discontents.

To know them which labour.--A command to enter into the spirit of ecclesiastical discipline. The persons meant are not simply the hard-working laity, contrasted with the idlers of 1Thessalonians 4:11 and 2Thessalonians 3:11, but those who performed the laborious office of the priesthood, as the words subsequent show. And "knowing" them is hardly to be limited either to the sense of "recognising their position," i.e., "not ignoring them," or, on the other hand, to the sense of "being on terms of familiar intercourse with them." The Greek word indicates appreciation; they are bidden to acquaint themselves thoroughly with the presbyter and his work, and to endeavour to understand his teaching, and to value his example. The logical connection of this verse with the preceding is that of course the main endeavours to "edify" the brethren were made by the presbytery; and the command to edify involves the command to accept edification.

Are over you in the Lord.--This is the primitive idea of the priest in the Church: he is not a member of a sacerdotal caste, ministering to an outer world, but a superior officer in a spiritual society consisting of nothing but priests (Revelation 1:6, where the right reading is, "Made us a kingdom of priests"). It is specially interesting to notice how much power is given to the presbytery in this earliest writing of the New Testament, and how carefully St. Paul seems to have organised his churches, and that at the very foundation of them. It is only "in the Lord" that the presbytery are over men, that is, in spiritual matters.

Admonish you.--The presbytery are not only organisers, managers of the corporate affairs of their Church, but also spiritual guides to give practical advice to individual Christians. These are the two senses in which they are "over you."

Verse 12. - With this verse commences a new paragraph. The apostle adds in conclusion a few brief and somewhat miscellaneous exhortations. And we beseech you, brethren; an expression of earnestness and affection. To know; that is, to value, appreciate, and esteem. Them which labor among you. It was Paul's custom to organize the Churches which he had founded, and to appoint presbyters among them. Although the Church of Thessalonica had been so recently founded, yet it had its presbyters. And are over you. The presbyters, in virtue of their office, presided over the Christian assemblies. In the Lord; the sphere in which they were set over the Church; they were ordained to minister in sacred things. And admonish you. There are not three classes or orders of office-bearers here mentioned - those who labored among them, those who presided over them, and those who admonished them (Mac-knight); but all these duties belonged to one class, namely, the presbyters.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

we ask
Ἐρωτῶμεν (Erōtōmen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2065: Apparently from ereo; to interrogate; by implication, to request.

you,
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

brothers,
ἀδελφοί (adelphoi)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

to acknowledge
εἰδέναι (eidenai)
Verb - Perfect Infinitive Active
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

those who
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

work diligently
κοπιῶντας (kopiōntas)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2872: From a derivative of kopos; to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard.

among
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

you,
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

[who] preside
προϊσταμένους (proistamenous)
Verb - Present Participle Middle - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4291: From pro and histemi; to stand before, i.e. to preside, or to practise.

over you
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] Lord
Κυρίῳ (Kyriō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

give you instruction.
νουθετοῦντας (nouthetountas)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3560: To admonish, warn, counsel, exhort. From the same as nouthesia; to put in mind, i.e. to caution or reprove gently.


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NT Letters: 1 Thessalonians 5:12 But we beg you brothers to know (1 Thess. 1 Thes. 1Th iTh i Th)
1 Thessalonians 5:11
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