We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
Leadership development today is a multi-billion dollar industry. As of 2019, leadership development was a $366 billion industry.* Of that, $166 billion is in the U.S. alone.* Our culture values leadership enough to invest a lot of money. Organizational behavior, managing change, delegating responsibilities to subordinates, and other hot topics dominate the landscape.
Some theologians believe that Paul instructs the Thessalonians in the subject of verses 12-13 because of some situations within their church involving not recognizing the leaders among them in the right way.* Said another way, they were having leadership issues. Whatever Paul’s motive for writing to the Thessalonians, we can find some very helpful leadership tips for our world today.
First, we are asked to respect our leaders.* In our culture of democracy and collective decision-making, it can be easy to forget that there is a burden to leadership that someone in our circles carries.* This burden asks much, and we should show respect.
Second, we see three characteristics of these leaders: they labor, they are over you, they admonish you.* These words describe the burden of leadership. Let’s briefly look at them in order:
“They labor.” The work of leader is what brings the title and not the other way around.* Meaning, those that Paul thought should be recognized as leaders were to be recognized because they were already serving in that way.* They were called to be leaders and had a spiritual gift for leadership.* What’s more, they were operating in that gift.* This verse highlights the fact that true leaders are those who work significantly hard for the benefit of the church.*
“They are over you.” Here, we could interpret the Greek as “leader,” but it better translates as “protect” and “care for.”* How many view leadership as protecting or caring for? Is this the subject matter of leadership conferences and books?
“Admonish.” Admonishment refers to correction. As a burden of leadership, this is a serious responsibility and quite difficult. The correction is intended to bring members of the Christian community back into alignment with God’s Word.* This correction is never to be motivated by judgment or vindication, but it is to be motivated by love and genuine concern for others.*
How many people sign up for leadership because they want to work really, really hard, protect and care for others, and provide loving correction even when awkward or difficult? Leadership is not an easy job, and it can be summed up by this word: service.
In the economy of Christ, the lowliest service holds the highest honor.* How much would you spend to learn to become lowly? How much would you invest to serve? Billions?
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to step into the lowly place of leadership. Perhaps today God wants you to respect your leader who isn’t perfect, but is working toward God’s picture of a good leader. Maybe today God wants you to invest in becoming a better servant.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.
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*Holmes, M. (1998). 1 and 2 Thessalonians (pp. 178–179). Zondervan Publishing House.
Shogren, G. S. (2012). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (p. 218). Zondervan.
Green, G. L. (2002). The letters to the Thessalonians (pp. 247–252). W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.
Kim, S., & Bruce, F. F. (2023). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (D. B. Capes, Ed.; Second Edition, Vol. 45, pp. 458–461). Zondervan Academic.
Morris, L. (1984). 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An introduction and commentary (Vol. 13, pp. 99–102). InterVarsity Press.
Beale, G. K. (2003). 1–2 Thessalonians (pp. 158–162). InterVarsity Press.
Weima, J. A. D. (2014). Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: 1–2 Thessalonians (R. W. Yarbrough & R. H. Stein, Eds.; pp. 381–387). Baker Academic.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/chriswestfall/2019/06/20/leadership-development-why-most-programs-dont-work/