1 Thessalonians 5:12
What does 1 Thessalonians 5:12 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Thessalonians 5:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Thessalonians 5:12 means
Paul appeals to the church to recognize and respect those who labor hard among them, who exercise pastoral oversight in the Lord, and who admonish. True spiritual leadership is marked by toil, responsibility before Christ, and the courage to warn and correct. To “know” such leaders is to acknowledge their role, understand their work, and respond appropriately. This is not blind deference but appreciative recognition of God-given service. Healthy churches honor faithful labor and heed loving admonition, seeing leaders as stewards under the Lord’s authority. Such recognition protects the flock from disorder and fosters a culture in which truth and love can flourish.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But we make this request to you, my brothers: give attention to those who are working among you, who are over you in the Lord to keep order among you;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And we ask you, brethren, to know those labouring among you, and leading you in the Lord, and admonishing you,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And we beseech you, brethren, to know them who labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you;
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But we beg you, brethren, to know those who labour among you, and take the lead among you in [the] Lord, and admonish you,
Context
After urging mutual encouragement, Paul turns to ordered relationships within the congregation. Verse 12 begins with the church’s posture toward its leaders—those who work, oversee, and admonish in the Lord. Verse 13 will build on this with a call to esteem them highly in love and to maintain peace. These leadership exhortations lay a foundation for the broader community responsibilities in verse 14 and following, addressing how believers care for varied needs within the body.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 16:18
For they refreshed my spirit and yours: acknowledge ye therefore them that are such.
- Acts 20:35
In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
- Luke 10:1
Now after these things the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself was about to come.
- Acts 20:28
Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.
- 1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.
- Revelation 2:12
And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword:
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