The
apostle here exhorts Christians to treat their preachers and elders with
respect and love. Let me quote from some other commentators.
“Their
work is very weighty, and very honourable…As the shepherd should know his
flock, so the sheep must know their shepherd. They must know his person, hear
his voice, acknowledge him for their pastor, and pay due regard to his
teaching, ruling, and admonitions. They must esteem their ministers highly in
love; they should greatly value the office of the ministry, honour and love the
persons of their ministers, and show their esteem and affection in all proper
ways, and this for their work's sake, because their business is to promote the
honour of Christ and the welfare of men's souls.” (Matthew Henry
Commentaries).
“Christian
ministers, who preach the whole truth, and labor in the word and doctrine, are
entitled to more than respect; the apostle commands them to be esteemed
abundantly, and superabundantly; and this is to be done in love.” (Clarke
Commentaries).
“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….Not primarily as a personal matter, or on their own account, but
on account of the work in which they are engaged.” (Barnes’ Commentaries).
Paul
says, it is to be “for their work’s sake.” He means, on account of
the work they are doing (Hebrews 13:17). What work are they doing? The
work of Christ! To honour them is to honour the work they are doing. Our Lord
warns against despising His servants: “He that heareth you heareth me; and
he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that
sent me” (Luke 10:16). To disrespect them is to disrespect Christ whom they
are working for.
Paul
exhorts the Christians at Thessalonica to get acquainted with their leaders
(verse 12). The idlers in Thessalonica had evidently refused to follow their
leaders. One reason was perhaps, they did not know them and their work. Do you
know the work your preachers and elders are doing?
It
is a good and much-needed lesson not only for the Thessalonian church but also
for us living today. Our younger generation lives in a time in which they are
taught to question authority. Unlike a generation earlier in which our fathers
were workers, our youths today are more educated and are successful in their
careers. Many are holding managerial and key positions in their work places. As
a saying goes: “When you are so high up, it’s hard to be humble.” How can they
possibly esteem their preachers and elders highly?
Still,
we are to esteem our preachers and elders very highly in love not because they
are wonderful persons but as Paul said, “for their work’s sake.” It is
for what they do, not because of who they are. It doesn’t matter if your
preacher or elder cannot write proper English, cannot sing well, or is not good
looking; those things don’t matter. But, if he is serving Christ Jesus
faithfully, he is to be esteemed. And, to despise him is to despise Christ, the
person he is serving.
Brethren,
if we profess to love Christ, we must also love our preachers and elders: “Remember
your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of
their way of life, and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7, ESV). Do you
love your preachers and elders?
Jimmy Lau
Psa
119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
 |
Virus-free. www.avg.com
|
No comments:
Post a Comment