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5:12-13 What do we learn form what Paul says here?

5:12-13 What do we learn form what Paul says here?

Them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, refers to the elders who constitute the presbytery, the ruling body in the New Testament church.

This is but one of many scriptures in the New Testament which prove that in the divine order the New Testament church does not revolve around the ministry of one man, as is the norm in most churches today, but a plurality of men, whom God appointed to co-equally guide and instruct His people in the faith (cp Ac 14:23; 20:17, 28; Eph 4:11-16; 1Ti 3:1-7, 5:17; Tit 1:5-9; Jas 5:14; 1Pe 5:1-3).

Bishop in 1 Ti 3:1-7 is simply another name for elder. (For a more detailed study on this subject see also comments on Ac 11:30, 20:17, Ro 11:13, 1Cor 12:28, Eph 2:20, Eph 4:11-12, Php 1:1, 1Ti 3:1-7, 5:17-18, Tit 1:5-9, 1Pe 5:1-3).

Christians are to esteem and love the elders. They are responsible to God for the well-being of each and every Christian's soul, and Christians are to do everything to make their ministries a joy, not a burden (cp 1Th 5:12-13; 1Ti 5:17; He 13:7, 17).

See also comments on He 13:8, 13:17.

1 Thessalonians: