King James Version

What Does 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Mean?

1 Thessalonians 5:14 in the King James Version says “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward al...” — study this verse from 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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”

1 Thessalonians 5:14 · KJV

Comfort

Context

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

15

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

16

Rejoice evermore.

Read 1 Thessalonians 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men—parakaloumen de hymas, adelphoi, noutheteite tous ataktous, paramytheisthe tous oligopsychous, antechesthe tōn asthenōn, makrothymeite pros pantas (παρακαλοῦμεν δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, νουθετεῖτε τοὺς ἀτάκτους, παραμυθεῖσθε τοὺς ὀλιγοψύχους, ἀντέχεσθε τῶν ἀσθενῶν, μακροθυμεῖτε πρὸς πάντας). Paul gives specific pastoral counsel for different needs. (1) Noutheteite tous ataktous (νουθετεῖτε τοὺς ἀτάκτους, 'warn the unruly')—ataktos means 'disorderly, out of rank' (military term), here describing idle busybodies (v. 11; 2 Thess 3:6-12). They need admonition, not comfort.

(2) Paramytheisthe tous oligopsychous (παραμυθεῖσθε τοὺς ὀλιγοψύχους, 'comfort the fainthearted')—oligopsychos means 'small-souled, fainthearted,' those discouraged by persecution or death of loved ones (4:13). They need encouragement, not rebuke. (3) Antechesthe tōn asthenōn (ἀντέχεσθε τῶν ἀσθενῶν, 'support the weak')—asthenēs indicates those weak in faith, morals, or physical strength. They need patient support. (4) Makrothymeite pros pantas (μακροθυμεῖτε πρὸς πάντας, 'be patient toward all')—makrothymia is longsuffering patience. Different people need different ministry; discernment determines appropriate response.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Thessalonian church included diverse needs: some were idle (v. 11), some grieving (4:13), some weak in faith. Paul teaches differentiated ministry—one-size-fits-all approaches fail. The unruly need confrontation; the fainthearted need comfort; the weak need support; all need patience. This pastoral wisdom remains essential—churches that only confront become harsh; churches that only comfort become permissive; churches that support without accountability enable immaturity. Balanced ministry requires discernment to apply appropriate responses to varying needs while maintaining patience toward all.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you discern which believers need warning (confrontation) versus comfort (encouragement) versus support (patience)?
  2. What evidence demonstrates that you practice differentiated ministry rather than one-size-fits-all approaches?
  3. How do you maintain patience 'toward all' while also warning the unruly when necessary?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
παρακαλοῦμεν1 of 16

“we exhort”

G3870

to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)

δὲ2 of 16

“Now”

G1161

but, and, etc

ὑμᾶς3 of 16

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἀδελφοί4 of 16

“brethren”

G80

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

νουθετεῖτε5 of 16

“warn”

G3560

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

τοὺς6 of 16
G3588

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

ἀτάκτους7 of 16

“them that are unruly”

G813

unarranged, i.e., (by implication) insubordinate (religiously)

παραμυθεῖσθε8 of 16

“comfort”

G3888

to relate near, i.e., (by implication) encourage, console

τοὺς9 of 16
G3588

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

ὀλιγοψύχους10 of 16

“the feebleminded”

G3642

little-spirited, i.e., faint-hearted

ἀντέχεσθε11 of 16

“support”

G472

to hold oneself opposite to, i.e., (by implication) adhere to; by extension to care for

τῶν12 of 16
G3588

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

ἀσθενῶν13 of 16

“the weak”

G772

strengthless (in various applications, literal, figurative and moral)

μακροθυμεῖτε14 of 16

“be patient”

G3114

to be long-spirited, i.e., (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient

πρὸς15 of 16

“toward”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

πάντας16 of 16

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

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 5:14 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 5:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Timothy 4:2Romans 14:1Acts 20:352 Thessalonians 3:6-7Isaiah 35:3-42 Thessalonians 3:11-13

Test Your Knowledge

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

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