1. Thessalonicher 5:14

brethren--This exhortation to "warm (Greek, 'admonish,' as in Th1 5:12) the unruly (those 'disorderly' persons, Th2 3:6, Th2 3:11, who would not work, and yet expected to be maintained, literally, said of soldiers who will not remain in their ranks, compare Th1 4:11; also those insubordinate as to Church discipline, in relation to those 'over' the Church, Th1 5:12), comfort the feeble-minded (the faint-hearted, who are ready to sink 'without hope' in afflictions, Th1 4:13, and temptations)," applies to all clergy and laity alike, though primarily the duty of the clergy (who are meant in Th1 5:12)." support--literally, "lay fast hold on so as to support." the weak--spiritually. Paul practiced what he preached (Co1 9:22). be patient toward all men--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" (Co2 10:1; Pe2 3:15).

The apostle, having spoken in the end of the foregoing chapter concerning the resurrection, and the second coming of Christ, proceeds to speak concerning the uselessness of enquiring after the particular time of Christ's coming, which would be sudden and terrible to the wicked, but comfortable to the saints (Th1 5:1-5). He then exhorts them to the duties of watchfulness, sobriety, and the exercise of faith, love, and hope, as being suitable to their state (Th1 5:6-10). In the next words he exhorts them to several duties they owed to others, or to one another (Th1 5:11-15), afterwards to several other Christian duties of great importance (Th1 5:16-22), and then concludes this epistle (Th1 5:23-28).

5:14 The responsibility for the moral progress of the congregation does not rest solely with the leaders (4:18; 5:11). Paul urged the church to warn those who are lazy, that is, those who were “disorderly,” and who did not live by the apostles’ instructions (see 2 Thes 3:6-15). • Take tender care of those who are weak, or those who have no economic or social power. Greek society denigrated the weak. • Instead of being irritable, believers should be patient in their relationships (Gal 5:23; Eph 4:2).