King James Version

What Does 1 Thessalonians 5:12 Mean?

1 Thessalonians 5:12 in the King James Version says “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;” — study this verse from 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;”

1 Thessalonians 5:12 · KJV

Context

10

Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

11

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. comfort: or, exhort

12

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

13

And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

14

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. exhort: or, beseech unruly: or, disorderly

Read 1 Thessalonians 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you—erōtōmen de hymas, adelphoi, eidenai tous kopiōntas en hymin kai proistamenous hymōn en Kyriō kai nouthetountas hymas (ἐρωτῶμεν δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, εἰδέναι τοὺς κοπιῶντας ἐν ὑμῖν καὶ προϊσταμένους ὑμῶν ἐν Κυρίῳ καὶ νουθετοῦντας ὑμᾶς). Paul transitions to church order (vv. 12-22). Leaders are described three ways: (1) kopiōntas (κοπιῶντας, 'laboring to exhaustion')—ministry is hard work, not honored position; (2) proistamenous en Kyriō (προϊσταμένους ἐν Κυρίῳ, 'leading/ruling in the Lord')—exercising oversight under Christ's authority; (3) nouthetountas (νουθετοῦντας, 'admonishing/warning')—confronting sin and error.

To know them (eidenai, εἰδέναι, 'to know/recognize/appreciate')—not mere awareness but respectful recognition of their ministry. Churches need leaders; leaders need recognition. The three-fold description emphasizes servant-leadership: toiling laborers, not domineering lords (1 Pet 5:3); rulers 'in the Lord,' not autonomous authorities; admonishers who warn, not flatterers who placate. Biblical eldership combines affectionate care (like nursing mothers, 2:7) with firm admonition (like fathers, 2:11).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Thessalonian church was young (months old) without established leadership structures. Paul apparently appointed leaders during his brief ministry (cf. Acts 14:23) who continued pastoring after his departure. Some members may have resisted these leaders' authority, especially admonition. Paul establishes pastoral authority: leaders who labor, rule, and admonish deserve recognition. This balanced authoritarianism (clergy lording over laity) and egalitarianism (rejecting all leadership). Biblical church polity requires both servant-leaders and submissive members (Heb 13:17), authority exercised humbly and received willingly.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you recognize and appreciate those who labor, lead, and admonish in your church?
  2. What evidence demonstrates that your church leaders exercise servant-authority ('in the Lord') rather than domineering control?
  3. How do you respond to spiritual admonition—with defensiveness or with teachability?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 17 words
Ἐρωτῶμεν1 of 17

“we beseech”

G2065

to interrogate; by implication, to request

δὲ2 of 17

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ὑμᾶς3 of 17

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἀδελφοί4 of 17

“brethren”

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

εἰδέναι5 of 17

“to know”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

τοὺς6 of 17

“them which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κοπιῶντας7 of 17

“labour”

G2872

to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard

ἐν8 of 17

“among”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ὑμῖν9 of 17

“you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

καὶ10 of 17

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

προϊσταμένους11 of 17

“are over”

G4291

to stand before, i.e., (in rank) to preside, or (by implication) to practise

ὑμῶν12 of 17

“you”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ἐν13 of 17

“among”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

κυρίῳ14 of 17

“the Lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

καὶ15 of 17

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

νουθετοῦντας16 of 17

“admonish”

G3560

to put in mind, i.e., (by implication) to caution or reprove gently

ὑμᾶς17 of 17

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Thessalonians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Thessalonians 5:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Thessalonians 5:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 13:17Hebrews 13:71 Timothy 5:17-181 Corinthians 16:181 Corinthians 16:161 Corinthians 15:10

Test Your Knowledge

1 Thessalonians 5 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Thessalonians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 Thessalonians 5 with CommentaryAll 1 Thessalonians ChaptersComplete 1 Thessalonians QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes