LIVE IN PEACE WITH LEADERS
But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you,
who preside over you in the Lord and give you instruction.
In love, hold them in highestG4057 regard because of their work.
Live in peaceG1514 with one another.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the word translated “highest” can be defined as follows:
G4057 perissōs, per-is-soce’; adverb from G4053; superabundantly:—exceedingly, out of measure, the more. (93)
We have not quoted from the NIV Grace and Truth Study Bible before, but this was an excellent observation we found there:
5:12–13 Paul ends the letter by speaking more generally to the whole church. The first topic he addresses is their attitude toward leaders. The Thessalonians are to acknowledge, esteem highly, and be at peace with those who lead. In essence they are to be loyal to them. The leadership is defined not by office here but by activity. The leaders work among them and over them, and they admonish them. Paul assumes a leadership structure, but this leadership is among the people, walking alongside them in the faith. (94)
The Wiersbe Study Bible had the following to say about these verses:
5:12, 13 In spite of their limitations, God’s spiritual leaders should be respected and obeyed—unless it is obvious that they are out of God’s will. As the spiritual leaders of the church meet together, plan, pray, and seek and follow God’s will, we can be sure that God will rule and overrule in the decisions they make. The result of the church family following the spiritual leaders will be peace and harmony in the church. (95)
With all the headlines today about pastors and other church leaders who are blatantly not in line with God’s will, it may be difficult to hold leadership in high regard, showing respect and esteem. However, we cannot judge one person by another person’s failures. We must show respect and work well with our church leadership unless and until a man or woman proves to be out of God’s will. Our pastors and teachers carry a high responsibility:
James 3:1 (AMP) Not many [of you] should become teachers [serving in an official teaching capacity], my brothers and sisters, for you know that we [who are teachers] will be judged by a higher standard [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly].
Since the leaders in our churches carry such a responsibility, we should pray diligently for them! We should not only treat them with respect but make every effort to encourage them. If we feel our pastor or other leader is in error, we need to practice what is laid out in Matthew 18:15-17, namely 1) go to the person in question and lovingly confront them to give them an opportunity to correct it, 2) if one-on-one does not work, take ONE or TWO other believers with you as witnesses to the conversation, 3) if a person still does not see the error of their ways, take it before the church. By all means, do not gossip about any suspicion you may have!
Do you treat your leaders in the church with respect? If you do not think they have earned respect or have lost it, do you go to them individually and give them a chance to respond? Do you pray for your pastors and leaders regularly and diligently? Do you give them an encouraging word in person, by text, by email, or in a greeting card? Are you at peace with your spiritual leaders?
Father, thank You for our pastors and their support staff. Thank you for the teachers of our small groups. Help us to remember to lift them up in prayer and to encourage them often. Help us to be more consistent in showing them we care about them and appreciate how much they show us Your love.