I am in 1Thessalonians 5:14: “And we exhort you, brothers: warn those who are irresponsible, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” [5:14 HCSB]
Four commands are given by Paul in that one little verse. We are to warn or admonish (counsel, exhort) those who are irresponsible in their faith. We are to comfort those who are discouraged.
The third command is that we are to help the weak. Paul gave a similar command in Romans 15:1: “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” [HCSB]
The strong in faith are responsible (we have an obligation) to support those who are weak. Paul does not tell us what that weakness was in Thessalonica. Perhaps people were shrinking from the persecution and opposition so prevalent in that time. Maybe they were giving in to temptation or perhaps they needed to exercise their full Christian liberty.
Whatever the weakness was, Paul is firm about the obligation that we have to look out for our neighbors, to put their good before pleasing ourselves.
And if we are honest with ourselves, every one of us is probably “weak” in some area compared to others. When my weakness is voicing its dominance, I need the aid of others who are strong in that area to help. When I am strong in a particular area and another is weak, I need to put aside everything and build up my brother or sister.
Today, thank you LORD, that we are not in this battle alone. Thank you for providing the experiences in other’s lives to benefit us when we are struggling.
