We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
Comment: Let’s read the passage again but I will number the bullets of advice which Paul fires at them!
We ask you, brothers, 1. to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and 2. to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. 3. Be at peace among yourselves. And 4. we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, 5. encourage the fainthearted, 6. help the weak, be patient with them all. 7. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but 8. always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 9. Rejoice always, 10. pray without ceasing, 11. give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 12. Do not quench the Spirit. 13. Do not despise prophecies, but 14. test everything; 15. hold fast what is good. 16. Abstain from every form of evil.
Sixteen pieces of advice in such a short passage! Or are they commands? I think this is meant to be commenced immediately, and practised for our whole lifetimes! What a glorious body of people it would make the church if we all lived like this!
Prayer: Let me, by Your Grace and with the assistance of The Holy Spirit live out this and Your whole plan for my life, Lord Jesus.
As I read it! 