11. Comfort (vrapaxaneite). Rev. renders exhort; but comfort suits better the general drift of the passage, and cor- responds with ch. iv. 18. There is some force in Borne- mann’s suggestion that the two meanings may be combined. Exhort each other to be of good heart.
Edify (occodopetre). Lit. build up. See on Acts xx. 32. The metaphorical sense habitually in Paul. See 1 Cor. viii. 1, 10; x. 23; xiv. 4; Eph. ii. 20. In O. T. mostly in the literal sense. See however LXX, Ruth iy. 11; Ps. xxvii. 5; Ixxxviii. 2; Jer. xxxi. 4.
12. Know (eidévar). See on ch. iv. 4. Recognise them for what they are, and as entitled to respect because of their office. Comp. ézruywveéoxere acknowledge, 1 Cor. xvi. 18; and éyvooOns takest knowledge, LXX, Ps. ecxliii. 8. Ignatius, Smyrn. ix., has ésrioxomoy eidévar to know the bishop, to appre- ciate and honor him.
Are over (mpoictapévous). Lit. who are placed before you. See on Rom. xii. 8. Used of superintendents of households, 1 Tim. iii. 4, 5,12: of the ruling of elders of the church, 1 Tim. v. 17. It does not indicate a particular ecclesiastical
48 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu.V.
office, but is used functionally. The ecclesiastical nomencla- ture of the Pauline Epistles is unsettled, corresponding with the fact that the primitive church was not a homogeneous body throughout christendom. The primitive Pauline church consisted of a number of separate fraternities which were self-governing. The recognition of those who ministered to the congregations depended on the free choice of their mem- bers. See for instance 1 Cor. xvi. 15,16. The congrega- tion exercised discipline and gave judgment: 1 Cor. v. 3-5; 2 Cor. ik 65°73) vie das Gale viet,
Admonish (vovGerodvras). Only in Acts and Paul. See on Acts xx. 81, and comp. ver. 14; Rom. xv. 14; 1 Cor. iv. 14; Col. i. 28.
13. Esteem (jyeic0ar). Primarily to lead, which is the only sense in the Gospels and Acts, except Acts xxvi. 2, ina speech of Paul. To lead the mind through a reasoning pro- cess to a conclusion, and so to think, to estimate. Only in this sense by Paul, Peter, and James. See 2 Cor. ix. 5; Philip. ii. 3; Jas. i. 2; 2 Pet. iii. 9. In both senses in Hebrews. See x. 29; xiii. T.
Very highly in love. Const. very highly with esteem. In love qualifies both words.*
For their work’s sake (é:a 70 épyov aitav). Their esteem for their superintendents is not to rest only on personal attachment or respect for their position, but on intelligent and sympathetic appreciation of their work. It is a good and much-needed lesson for the modern congregation no less than for the Thessalonian church.
14. Them that are unruly (rods ard«rous). N.T.°. The A.V. is more vigorous and. less stilted than Rev. disorderly. From a not and tdaccew draw up or arrange. Those who are
* Others join in love with esteem as forming one conception; but the phrase 7yelcOa év aydry is not warranted by usage.
Cx. V.] THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS. 49
out of line. Comp. the adverb ardxrws disorderly, 2 Th. iii. 6, 11. Probably referring to the idlers and busybodies described there. r
Feeble-minded (ddtyowdyous). N. T.°. Better faznt- hearted. ’Ondéyos little and yvy soul. Those of little heart. Class. In LXX see Proy. xiv. 29; Isa. xxv. 5; liv. 6; lvii. 15. ’Odtyoruyia faint-heartedness, °N. T. LUXX, Ex. wus 1.8. ly. 8.) Comp. Ps.of Sol., xvi. 11.
Support (avréyecOe). Comp. Matt. vi. 24; Tit. i. 9. "Avtl against and éyec@ar to hold one’s self. The primary sense is, keeping one’s self directly opposite to another so as to sustain him.
15. That which is good (7d dyaov). Not to be limited to profitable, beneficent (as Lightfoot, Liinemann), although aya8ds commonly includes a corresponding beneficent relation of its subject to another subject, which is emphasised here by to all men. Seeon Rom. v. 7. It may also include what is absolutely, morally good, as Rom. ii. 10. So Heb. xiii. 21; 1 Pet. iii. 11; Rom. vii. 18.