SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:12
Y os rogamos, hermanos, que reconozcis a los que trabajan entre vosotros, y os presiden en el Seor, y os amonestan;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:12
Verse 12. Know them] Act kindly towards them; acknowledge them as the messengers of Christ; and treat them with tenderness and respect. This is a frequent meaning of the word ginwskw. See on John i. 10. Them which labour among you] The words touv kopiwntav have appeared to some as expressing those who had laboured among them; but as it is the participle of the present tense, there is no need to consider it in this light. Both it and the word proistamenouv, the superintendents, refer to persons then actually employed in the work of God. These were all admonishers, teachers, and instructers of the people, devoting their time and talents to this important work.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 12. And we beseech you, brethren , etc.] Not in a natural or civil, but spiritual relation; and what follows relating to the ministers of the word, the apostle addresses this church on their behalf, not in an imperious and authoritative manner, but by way of entreaty, with great humility and strong affection: know them that labour among you ; who were not non-residents, but were upon the spot with them; and where indeed should pastors be, but with their flocks? and husbandmen and vinedressers, but in their fields and vineyards? and stewards, but in the families where they are placed? and parents, but with their children? nor were they loiterers in the vineyard, or slothful servants, and idle shepherds, but labourers; who laboured in the word and doctrine; gave up themselves to meditation, reading, and prayer; laboured hard in private, to find out the meaning of the word of God; and studied to show themselves workmen, that need not be ashamed; and preached the word in season and out of season; faithfully dispensed all ordinances, and diligently performed the duties of their office; and were willing to spend and be spent, for the glory of Christ, and the good of souls, and earnestly contended for the faith of the Gospel; and all this they did, as among them, so for them, for their spiritual good and welfare: some render the words, in you; they laboured in teaching, instructing, and admonishing them; they laboured to enlighten their understandings, to inform their judgments, to raise their affections, and to bring their wills to a resignation to the will of God; to refresh their memories with Gospel truths; to strengthen their faith, encourage their hope, and draw out their love to God and Christ, and the brethren: and what the apostle directs them to, as their duty towards these persons, is to know them; that is, not to learn their names, and know their persons, who they were; for they could not but know them in this sense, since they dwelt and laboured among them, and were continually employed in instructing them; but that they would make themselves known to them, and converse freely and familiarly with them, that so they might know the state of their souls, and be better able to speak a word in season to them; and that they would take notice of them, show respect to them, and an affection for them; acknowledge them as their pastors, and account of them as stewards of the mysteries of God, and own them as ministers of Christ; and reckon them as blessings to them, and acknowledge the same with thankfulness; and obey them, and submit unto them in the ministry of the word and ordinances, and to their counsel and advice, so far as is agreeable to the word of God: the Arabic version renders it, that ye may know the dignity of them that labour among you; and so conduct and behave towards them accordingly: and are over you in the Lord ; are set in the highest place in the church, and bear the highest office there; have the presidency and government in it, and go before the saints, and guide and direct them in matters both of doctrine and practice, being ensamples to the flock; the Syriac version renders it, and stand before you; ministering unto you in holy things, being servants to you for Jesus' sake: and this in the Lord; or by the Lord; for they did not take this honour to themselves, nor were they appointed by men, but they were made able ministers of the word by God; received their gifts qualifying them for this work from Christ, and were placed as overseers of the church by the Holy Ghost: and it was only in things pertaining to the Lord that they were over them; not in things civil, which distinguishes them from civil magistrates; nor in things secular and worldly, they had nothing to do in their families, to preside there, or with their worldly concerns, only in the church of Christ, and in things pertaining to their spiritual welfare; and though they were over them, yet under Christ, and in subjection to him, as their Lord and King; governing not in an arbitrary and tyrannical way, lording it over God's heritage, usurping a dominion over the faith of men, coining new doctrines, and making new laws; but according to the word of God, and laws of Christ, in the fear of the Lord, and with a view to the glory of God, and in love to souls: hence the Arabic version renders it, in the love of the Lord; the phrase, in the Lord, is omitted in the Syriac version: and admonish you ; or instruct you, put into your minds good and wholesome things, and put you in mind of the doctrines of the Gospel, of the duties of religion, of former experiences; and give warning of sin and danger, and reprove and rebuke with faithfulness; and as the case requires, either in public or private, and with sharpness or tenderness.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 12-15 - The ministers of the gospel are described by the work of their office which is to serve and honour the Lord. It is their duty not only to give good counsel, but also to warn the flock of dangers, and reprov for whatever may be amiss. The people should honour and love their ministers, because their business is the welfare of men's souls. An the people should be at peace among themselves, doing all they can to guard against any differences. But love of peace must not make us win at sin. The fearful and sorrowful spirits, should be encouraged, and kind word may do much good. We must bear and forbear. We must be long-suffering, and keep down anger, and this to all men. Whatever ma do to us, we must do good to others.
Greek Textus Receptus
ερωτωμεν 2065 5719 δε 1161 υμας 5209 αδελφοι 80 ειδεναι 1492 5760 τους 3588 κοπιωντας 2872 5723 εν 1722 υμιν 5213 και 2532 προισταμενους 4291 5734 υμων 5216 εν 1722 κυριω 2962 και 2532 νουθετουντας 3560 5723 υμας 5209
Vincent's NT Word Studies
12. Know (eidenai). See on ch. iv. 4. Recognize them for what they are, and as entitled to respect because of their office. Comp. ejpiginwskete acknowledge, 1 Cor. xvi. 18; and ejgnwsqhv takest knowledge, LXX, Psalm cxliii. 3. Ignatius, Smyrn. ix. , has ejpiskopon eijdenai to know the bishop, to appreciate and honor him.
Are over (proistamenouv). Lit. who are placed before you. See on Rom. xii. 8. Used of superintendents of households, 1 Tim. iii. 4, 5, xii. of the ruling of elders of the church, 1 Tim. v. 17. It does not indicate a particular ecclesiastical office, but is used functionally. The ecclesiastical nomenclature of the Pauline Epistles is unsettled, corresponding with the fact that the primitive church was not a homogeneous body throughout christendom. The primitive Pauline church consisted of a number of separate fraternities which were self-governing. The recognition of those who ministered to the congregations depended on the free choice of their members. See for instance 1 Cor. xvi. 15, 16. The congregation exercised discipline and gave judgment: 1 Corinthians v. 3-5; 2 Cor. ii. 6, 7; vii. 11, 12; Gal. vi. 1.
Admonish (nouqetountav). Only in Acts and Paul. See on Acts xx. 31, and comp. ver. 14; Rom. xv. 14; 1 Cor. iv. 14; Col. i. 28.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
5:12 {Them that labor among you} (tous kopiwntas en humin). Old word for toil even if weary. {And are over you in the Lord} (kai proistamenous humwn en kuriwi). Same article with this participle. Literally, those who stand in front of you, your leaders in the Lord, the presbyters or bishops and deacons. Get acquainted with them and follow them. {And admonish you} (kai nouqetountas humas). Old verb from nouqetes and this from nous (mind) and tiqemi, to put. Putting sense into the heads of people. A thankless, but a necessary, task. The same article connects all three participles, different functions of the same leaders in the church.
