Paul’s letter is full of warm affection, gospel truth and practical instruction. He almost races to his farewell, trying to cram in as much as possible before he signs off, making these last few verses rich with specific guidance and teaching. In verses 12–22, which of his instructions do you find most helpful? Most challenging? Central to his encouragement of the Thessalonians is the faithfulness of God (v 24). This reassures us that we are not working in order to prove ourselves to each other or to God, but actively allowing the Spirit to work within us. The outcome of this is wonderful: love, peace, encouragement, patience, kindness, joy, prayer and gratitude.

For Paul, prayer is a natural part of a relationship with God, but also a means of encouragement. Just as Paul has prayed for the Thessalonians, he asks them to pray for him and those he is working alongside (v 25): being a Christian is not an individual spiritual experience. Experiencing God’s love is inseparable from expressing it through a holy and honourable life, both for the benefit of others and for God’s glory.

Consider these words: ‘When we Christians behave badly, or fail to behave well, we are making Christianity unbelievable to the outside world.’¹

Christian leaders should be doing three things: working hard, caring for people in the Lord and admonishing where necessary. Admonishment is warning against bad behaviour and its consequences.² Paul’s own leadership style is exemplary. In return for doing all this, he urges that leaders be held in the highest possible esteem (v 13). We should express this in prayer, encouragement and respect. Jesus taught that leaders must act as servants and not ‘lord it’ over their people,³ but that should never lead to disrespect or disdain.

Four times Paul addresses the believers as brothers and sisters (adelphoi, in Greek, vs 12,14,25,27). As God is our Father, so other Christians are our siblings. We are family, and as such we need to live in love and mutual encouragement. The church is not a club or society where members can be vetted or chosen. We may choose our friends, but not our families. God has chosen them for us. Verses 14 and 15 set out a blueprint for fellowship, including loving confrontation, encouragement, practical help and patience. Is that an accurate picture of the kind of fellowship you attend?

The idle, the divisive, the disheartened and the weak may not appear on any Christian conference stage but they were certainly present in the church at Thessalonica. Paul regarded the believers who shunned work as idle and those who found the avoidance of sexual immorality as weak. How did he advise dealing with such? He ‘wrote to the stronger Christians: “Hold on to them” … even “put your arm around them’’’.⁴ We are to be patient with those who struggle, always hoping that, with time, effort and prayer, things may change for them. If this seems tough, then remember that ‘The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it’ (v 24).

Pray for your leaders by name as you ponder Paul’s advice. How could you demonstrate your support of them more clearly today?

¹ CS Lewis, Mere Christianity ² John Stott, Thessalonians, 1991, p120 ³ Mark 10:42–45 ⁴ J Moffatt, Thessalonians, Hodder, 1910, p41, quoted by Stott, 1991, p122