I Thessalonians 5:11
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
comfort yourselves--Greek, "one another." Here he reverts to the same consolatory strain as in Th1 4:18. edify one another--rather as Greek, "edify (ye) the one the other"; "edify," literally, "build up," namely, in faith, hope, and love, by discoursing together on such edifying topics as the Lord's coming, and the glory of the saints (Mal 3:16).
Open source ↗In these words the apostle exhorts the Thessalonians to several duties. I. Towards those who were nearly related one to another. Such should comfort themselves, or exhort one another, and edify one another, Th1 5:11. 1. They must comfort or exhort themselves and one another; for the original word may be rendered both these ways. And we may observe, As those are most able and likely to comfort others who can comfort themselves, so the way to have comfort ourselves, or to administer comfort to others, is by compliance with the exhortation of the word. Note, We should not only be careful about our own comfort and welfare, but to promote the comfort and welfare of others also. He was a Cain that said, Am I my brother's keeper? We must bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 2. They must edify one another, by following after those things whereby one may edify another, Rom 14:19. As Christians are lively stones built up together a spiritual house, they should endeavour to promote the good of the whole church by promoting the work of grace in one another. And it is the duty of every one of us to study that which is for the edification of those with whom we converse, to please all men for their real profit. We should communicate our knowledge and experiences one to another. We should join in prayer and praise one with another. We should set a good example one before another. And it is the duty of those especially who live in the same vicinity and family thus to comfort and edify one another; and this is the best neighbourhood, the best means to answer the end of society. Such as are nearly related together and have affection for one another, as they have the greatest opportunity, so they are under the greatest obligation, to do this kindness one to another.…
Open source ↗5:11 Paul wants the Thessalonians to use the instruction about the end to encourage and build each other up (see 4:18), not to fuel speculation about the timing of the Lord’s return.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.
to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,
From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.
But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,