
Text -- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NET)




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collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Robertson: 1Th 5:14 - -- Admonish the disorderly ( noutheteite tous ataktous ).
Put sense into the unruly mob who break ranks (a privative and taktos , verbal adjective of ...
Admonish the disorderly (
Put sense into the unruly mob who break ranks (

Robertson: 1Th 5:14 - -- Encourage the fainthearted ( paramutheisthe tous oligopsuchous ).
Old verb to encourage or console as in Joh 11:31, though not so common in N.T. as p...
Encourage the fainthearted (
Old verb to encourage or console as in Joh 11:31, though not so common in N.T. as

Robertson: 1Th 5:14 - -- Support the weak ( antechesthe tōn asthenōn ).
Middle voice with genitive of antechō , old verb, in N.T. only in middle, to cling to, to hold o...
Support the weak (
Middle voice with genitive of

Robertson: 1Th 5:14 - -- Be long-suffering toward all ( makrothumeite pros pantas ).
These disorderly elements try the patience of the leaders. Hold out with them. What a won...
Be long-suffering toward all (
These disorderly elements try the patience of the leaders. Hold out with them. What a wonderful ideal Paul here holds up for church leaders!
Vincent: 1Th 5:14 - -- Them that are unruly ( τοὺς ἀτάκτους )
N.T.o The A.V. is more vigorous and less stilted than Rev. disorderly . From ἀ not...
Them that are unruly (
N.T.o The A.V. is more vigorous and less stilted than Rev. disorderly . From

Vincent: 1Th 5:14 - -- Feeble-minded ( ὀλιγοψύχους )
N.T.o . Better fainthearted . Ὁλίγος little and ψυχὴ soul . Those of little hear...

Vincent: 1Th 5:14 - -- Support ( ἀντέχεσθε )
Comp. Mat 6:24; Tit 1:9. Ἁντὶ against and ἔχεσθαι to hold one's self . The primary...
Wesley: 1Th 5:14 - -- Them that stand, as it were, out of their rank in the spiritual warfare. Some such were even in that church.
Them that stand, as it were, out of their rank in the spiritual warfare. Some such were even in that church.

minded - Literally, them of little soul; such as have no spiritual courage.
JFB: 1Th 5:14 - -- This exhortation to "warm (Greek, 'admonish,' as in 1Th 5:12) the unruly (those 'disorderly' persons, 2Th 3:6, 2Th 3:11, who would not work, and yet e...
This exhortation to "warm (Greek, 'admonish,' as in 1Th 5:12) the unruly (those 'disorderly' persons, 2Th 3:6, 2Th 3:11, who would not work, and yet expected to be maintained, literally, said of soldiers who will not remain in their ranks, compare 1Th 4:11; also those insubordinate as to Church discipline, in relation to those 'over' the Church, 1Th 5:12), comfort the feeble-minded (the faint-hearted, who are ready to sink 'without hope' in afflictions, 1Th 4:13, and temptations)," applies to all clergy and laity alike, though primarily the duty of the clergy (who are meant in 1Th 5:12)."

Literally, "lay fast hold on so as to support."

JFB: 1Th 5:14 - -- There is no believer who needs not the exercise of patience "toward" him; there is none to whom a believer ought not to show it; many show it more to ...
There is no believer who needs not the exercise of patience "toward" him; there is none to whom a believer ought not to show it; many show it more to strangers than to their own families, more to the great than to the humble; but we ought to show it "toward all men" [BENGEL]. Compare "the long-suffering of our Lord" (2Co 10:1; 2Pe 3:15).
Clarke: 1Th 5:14 - -- Warn them that are unruly - The whole phraseology of this verse is military; I shall consider the import of each term. Ατακτους· Those wh...
Warn them that are unruly - The whole phraseology of this verse is military; I shall consider the import of each term.

Clarke: 1Th 5:14 - -- Comfort the feeble-minded - Τους ολιγοψυχους· Those of little souls; the faint-hearted; those who, on the eve of a battle, are dis...
Comfort the feeble-minded -

Clarke: 1Th 5:14 - -- Support the weak - Αντεχεσθε των ασθενων· Shore up, prop them that are weak; strengthen those wings and companies that are lik...
Support the weak -

Clarke: 1Th 5:14 - -- Be patient toward all - Μακροθυμειτε προς παντας· The disorderly, the feeble-minded, and the weak, will exercise your patie...
Be patient toward all -
Calvin -> 1Th 5:14
Calvin: 1Th 5:14 - -- 14.Admonish the unruly It is a common doctrine — that the welfare of our brethren should be the object of our concern. This is done by teaching, a...
14.Admonish the unruly It is a common doctrine — that the welfare of our brethren should be the object of our concern. This is done by teaching, admonishing, correcting, and arousing; but, as the dispositions of men are various, it is not without good reason that the Apostle commands that believers accommodate themselves to this variety. He commands, therefore, that the unruly 607 be admonished, that is, those who live dissolutely. The term admonition, also, is employed to mean sharp reproof, such as may bring them back into the right way, for they are deserving of greater severity, and they cannot be brought to repentance by any other remedy.
Towards the faint-hearted another system of conduct must be pursued, for they have need of consolation. The weak must also be assisted. By faint-hearted, however, he means those that are of a broken and afflicted spirit. He accordingly favors them, and the weak, in such a way as to desire that the unruly should be restrained with some degree of sternness. On the other hand, he commands that the unruly should be admonished sharply, in order that the weak may be treated with kindness and humanity, and that the faint-hearted may receive consolation. It is therefore to no purpose that those that are obstinate and intractable demand that they be soothingly caressed, inasmuch as remedies must be adapted to diseases.
He recommends, however, patience towards all, for severity must be tempered with some degree of lenity, even in dealing with the unruly. This patience, however, is, properly speaking, contrasted with a feeling of irksomeness, 608 for nothing are we more prone to than to feel wearied out when we set ourselves to cure the diseases of our brethren. The man who has once and again comforted a person who is faint-hearted, if he is called to do the same thing a third time, will feel I know not what vexation, nay, even indignation, that will not permit him to persevere in discharging his duty. Thus, if by admonishing or reproving, we do not immediately do the good that is to be desired, we lose all hope of future success. Paul had in view to bridle impatience of this nature, by recommending to us moderation towards all.
TSK -> 1Th 5:14
TSK: 1Th 5:14 - -- exhort : or, beseech, Rom 12:1
you : 1Th 5:12
warn : Jer 6:12; Eze 3:17-21, Eze 33:3-9; Act 20:27, Act 20:31; 1Co 4:14; Col 1:28
that : Tit 1:6, Tit 1...
exhort : or, beseech, Rom 12:1
you : 1Th 5:12
warn : Jer 6:12; Eze 3:17-21, Eze 33:3-9; Act 20:27, Act 20:31; 1Co 4:14; Col 1:28
unruly : or, disorderly, 2Th 3:11-13
comfort : 1Th 2:7-12; Isa 35:3, Isa 35:4, Isa 40:1, Isa 40:2, Isa 40:11; Eze 34:16; Mat 12:20; Luk 22:32; Joh 21:15-17; Rom 14:1, Rom 15:1-3; Gal 6:1, Gal 6:2; Heb 12:12
support : Act 20:35 *Gr.
be : Isa 63:9; 1Co 13:4, 1Co 13:5; Gal 5:22; Eph 4:2, Eph 4:32, Eph 5:1, Eph 5:2; Col 3:12, Col 3:13; 1Ti 3:3, 1Ti 6:11; 2Ti 2:24, 2Ti 2:25, 2Ti 4:2; Heb 5:2, Heb 5:3, Heb 13:3

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> 1Th 5:14
Barnes: 1Th 5:14 - -- Now we exhort you, brethren - Margin, "beseech."This earnest entreaty is evidently addressed to the whole church, and not to the ministers of t...
Now we exhort you, brethren - Margin, "beseech."This earnest entreaty is evidently addressed to the whole church, and not to the ministers of the gospel only. The duties here enjoined are such as pertain to all Christians in their appropriate spheres, and should not be left to be performed by ministers only.
Warn them - The same word which in 1Th 5:12 is rendered "admonish."It is the duty of every church member, as well as of the ministers of the gospel, affectionately to admonish those whom they know to be living contrary to the requirements of the gospel. One reason why there is so little piety in the church, and why so many professors of religion go astray, is, that the great mass of church members feel no responsibility on this subject. They suppose that it is the duty only of the officers of the church to admonish an erring brother, and hence many become careless and cold and worldly, and no one utters a kind word to them to recall them to a holy walk with God.
That are unruly - Margin, "disorderly."The word here used (
Comfort the feeble-minded - The dispirited; the disheartened; the downcast. To do this is also the duty of each church member. There are almost always those who are in this condition, and it is not easy to appreciate the value of a kind word to one in that state. Christians are assailed by temptation; in making efforts to do good they are opposed and become disheartened; in their contests with their spiritual foes they are almost overcome; they walk through shades of spiritual night, and find no comfort. In such circumstances, how consoling is the voice of a friend! How comforting is it to feel that they are not alone! How supporting to be addressed by one who has had the same conflicts, and has triumphed! Every Christian - especially every one who has been long in the service of his Master - has a fund of experience which is the property of the church, and which may be of incalculable value to those who are struggling now amidst many embarrassments along the Christian way. He who has that experience should help a weak and sinking brother; he should make his own experience of the efficacy of religion in his trials and conflicts, the means of sustaining others in their struggles. There is no one who would not reach out his hand to save a child borne down rapid stream; yet how often do experienced and strong men in the Christian faith pass by those who are struggling in the "deep waters, where the proud waves have come over their souls!"
Support the weak - See the notes at Rom 15:1.
Be patient toward all men - See the Greek word here used, explained in the notes on 1Co 13:4; compare Eph 4:2; Gal 5:22; Col 3:12.
Poole -> 1Th 5:14
Poole: 1Th 5:14 - -- Now we exhort you, brethren: some think the apostle now turns his speech to their teachers, whom he here calls brethren in a more peculiar sense, a...
Now we exhort you, brethren: some think the apostle now turns his speech to their teachers, whom he here calls brethren in a more peculiar sense, and because the duties here enjoined do more properly belong to the ministry. But others more truly judge he continues his discourse to the whole church, and the several members of it. The same duties are to be performed by both, though under a different obligation: as in the civil state all are to seek the good of the commonwealth, though the magistrates and the governors are more specially obliged by office.
Warn them that are unruly or admonish, as the same word is rendered in the former verse, here meant of brotherly, there of ministerial, admonition; wherein great prudence is to be used, as to time, place, persons, manner: and the unruly are such as keep not their place, alluding to soldiers that keep not their rank and station, and they are called in the margin disorderly, and that:
1. In civil respects, when men live without a calling, or, being in it, neglect it, or intrude into other men’ s business, and perform not the duties of their civil relations.
2. In natural respects, when men follow not the light of nature, and fulfil not the law of natural relations.
3. In spiritual respects, when men neglect or transgress the rules and order of their walking in their church state, either with respect to their teachers or one another. Admonition belongs to such, and is the first step of church censure when regularly performed.
Comfort the feeble-minded
Support the weak
Be patient toward all men: this duty is universal; the former concerned only the saints. The word signifies longanimity, or long-suffering, and is often attributed to God, Exo 34:6 Rom 9:22 . It consisteth 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.
Haydock -> 1Th 5:14
Haydock: 1Th 5:14 - -- Rebuke, or correct the unquiet. [1] By the Greek, it signifies the disorderly, or those that keep no order. (Witham)
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Rebuke, or correct the unquiet. [1] By the Greek, it signifies the disorderly, or those that keep no order. (Witham)
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[BIBLIOGRAPHY]
The unquiet: inquietos, Greek: ataktous, inordinatos, sine ordine et regula viventes.
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Gill -> 1Th 5:14
Gill: 1Th 5:14 - -- Now we exhort you, brethren,.... This is said either to the ministers of the word that laboured among them, presided over them, and admonished them; a...
Now we exhort you, brethren,.... This is said either to the ministers of the word that laboured among them, presided over them, and admonished them; and the rather, because some of these things here directed to are pressed upon the members of the church in 1Th 5:11 and which otherwise must make a repetition here; or to the members in conjunction with their pastors:
warn them that are unruly; or disorderly, idle persons, working not at all, busying themselves with other men's matters, and living upon the church's stock, reprove them for their sloth, exhort them to work with their own hands, to do their own business, and with quietness eat their own bread; or such who keep not their places in the church, but are like soldiers that go out of their rank, desert their companies, and fly from their colours, or stand aside, rebuke these, and exhort them to fill up their places, to abide by the church, and the ordinances of Christ; or such who are contentious and quarrelsome, turbulent, headstrong, and unruly, that cause and foment animosities and divisions, check them, admonish them, lay them under censure, for such a custom and practice is not to be allowed of in the churches of Christ.
Comfort the feebleminded: such as are not able to bear the loss of near and dear relations; are ready to stagger under the cross, and at the reproaches and persecutions of the world; and are almost overset with the temptations of Satan; and are borne down and discouraged with the corruptions of their hearts, speak a comfortable word to them, encourage them with the doctrines of grace, and the promises of the Gospel.
Support the weak; who are weak in faith and knowledge, strengthen them, hold them up; or as the Syriac version renders it, "take the burden of the weak" and carry it, bear their infirmities, as directed in Rom 15:1,
be patient towards all men; towards the unruly, the feebleminded, and the weak as well as to believers; give place to wrath, and leave vengeance to him to whom it belongs; exercise longsuffering and forbearance with fellow creatures and fellow Christians.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> 1Th 5:1-28
TSK Synopsis: 1Th 5:1-28 - --1 He proceeds in the former description of Christ's coming to judgment;16 and gives divers precepts;23 and so concludes the epistle.
MHCC -> 1Th 5:12-15
MHCC: 1Th 5:12-15 - --The ministers of the gospel are described by the work of their office, which is to serve and honour the Lord. It is their duty not only to give good c...
Matthew Henry -> 1Th 5:11-15
Matthew Henry: 1Th 5:11-15 - -- In these words the apostle exhorts the Thessalonians to several duties. I. Towards those who were nearly related one to another. Such should comfort...
Barclay -> 1Th 5:12-22
Barclay: 1Th 5:12-22 - --Paul comes to an end with a chain of jewels of good advice. He sets them out in the most summary way but every one is such that every Christian shoul...
Constable -> 1Th 5:12-15; 1Th 5:14-15
Constable: 1Th 5:12-15 - --D. Church life 5:12-15
Paul also reminded his readers of their present duties. In doing so, he balanced ...
