1 Thessalonians 5:13
And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
1 Thessalonians 5:13
Paul continues the theme of proper relationships within the church by urging the community to highly esteem those who labor among them. The motivation is love for their work’s sake, not merely for personalities. Esteeming involves respectful acknowledgment, cooperation, and harmony—“be at peace among yourselves” links interpersonal peace to the health of the church as a whole. In the culture of the early church, affection and esteem were felt through mutual honor, communal meals, and shared apostolic teaching. Esteeming leaders helps align the flock with the formative leadership that shapes doctrine, discipline, and direction. It also counters the risk of factionalism, jealousy, or clergy-centric pride. Paul’s language foregrounds a posture of grace where leadership is valued for its service and spiritual labor, not for status or popularity.
Esteeming leaders “for their work’s sake” reflects the church’s doctrinal core: authority is tied to vocation in God’s service. This guardrails against cynicism toward leadership and reinforces the call to honor responsible shepherding that feeds the flock with sound teaching and godly discipline. It also models the reciprocal nature of Christian community—leaders give, and the people respond with gratitude and unity. Theological themes include humility, communal harmony, and accountability under God. The verse reinforces that leadership is not a popularity contest but a divine calling that must be respected to preserve doctrinal integrity and pastoral care.
Practically, show appreciation for leaders’ sacrifices—prayer, verbal affirmation, and supportive collaboration. When doctrinal questions arise, approach leaders with respect and a spirit of collaboration rather than criticism. Promote peace by avoiding gossip, cliques, or divisions. In church life, this might look like publicly affirming a pastor after a sermon, supporting leadership decisions with constructive dialogue, and modeling reconciliation after disagreements. For ministries beyond a traditional church, this still applies: honor those who lead volunteer teams, coordinate missions, or oversee groups. A practical habit could be a quarterly “leader appreciation” note-writing initiative or a listening session where leaders share their burdens and receive encouragement from the community.
Cross-References: Hebrews 13:17; 1 Timothy 5:17; Romans 12:10; Titus 3:15; 1 Peter 5:5