1 Thessalonians 5:13

“And to esteem them very highly, etc.] Or, as the Ethiopic version renders it, “honour them abundantly”; for such are worthy of double honour, and to be had in reputation; they should be honourably thought of, and be high in the affections of the saints, who should esteem them better than themselves, or others in the community; and should be spoke well of, and their characters vindicated from the reproach and obloquy of others; and should be spoke respectfully to, and be honourably done by; should be provided for with an honourable maintenance, which is part of the double honour due to them in (<540517>1 Timothy 5:17,18) and this should be in love; not in fear, nor in hypocrisy and…”

“very highly--Greek, "exceeding abundantly." for their work's sake--The high nature of their work alone, the furtherance of your salvation and of the kingdom of Christ, should be a sufficient motive to claim your reverential love. At the same time, the word "work," teaches ministers that, while claiming the reverence due to their office, it is not a sinecure, but a "work"; compare "labor" (even to weariness: so the Greek), Th1 5:12. be at peace among yourselves--The "and" is not in the original. Let there not only be peace between ministers and their flocks, but also no party rivalries among yourselves, one contending in behalf of some one favorite minister, another in behalf of another (Mar…”

“And to esteem them very highly in love - To cherish for them an affectionate regard. The office of a minister of religion demands respect. They who are faithful in that office have a claim on the kind regards of their fellow-men. The very nature of the office requires them to do good to others, and there is no benefactor who should be treated with more affectionate regard than he who endeavors to save us from ruin; to impart to us the consolations of the gospel in affliction; and to bring us and our families to heaven. For their work’s sake - Not primarily as a personal matter, or on their own account, but on account of the work in which they are engaged. It is a work whose only tendency,…”

“Esteem them very highly - Literally, more than abundantly, in love - The inexpressible sympathy that is between true pastors and their flock is intimated, not only here, but also in divers other places of this epistle. See Th1 2:7-8. For their work's sake - The principal ground of their vast regard for them. But how are we to esteem them who do not work at all? 1 Thessalonians 5:14”

“5:13 Leaders were to receive honor and love not because of their high position but because of their work. • live peacefully: Teaching about community peace and harmony was a standard topic in ancient moral instruction. Harmony between believers and leaders was especially important because of the persecution the church suffered (2:14).”

“esteem: Mat 10:40; Co1 4:1, Co1 4:2, Co1 9:7-11; Gal 4:14, Gal 6:6 and be: Gen 45:24; Psa 133:1; Mar 9:50; Luk 7:3-5; Joh 13:34, Joh 13:35, Joh 15:17; Rom 4:17-19; Co2 13:11; Gal 5:22; Eph 4:3; Col 3:15; Th2 3:16; Ti2 2:22; Heb 12:14; Jam 3:18 1 Thessalonians 5:14”