Build Each Other Up

Scripture Passage

1 Thessalonians 5:11-14 (NIV)

11 Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord, and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Devotion

Paul’s closing exhortation to the Thessalonian church reads like a handbook for healthy Christian community. In verse 11, he returns to a theme he often emphasizes: mutual encouragement. The Greek word translated as “encourage” literally means “to call alongside,” invoking the image of a teammate running at your side. When anxiety, discouragement, or fatigue threaten to slow us down, a timely word of encouragement can restore momentum and hope.

Verses 12–13 shift focus to church leaders—those who “work hard,” “care for you in the Lord,” and “admonish you.” Paul urges the community to acknowledge these servants, holding them in “the highest regard in love” and living at peace. By honoring leaders, the body demonstrates gratitude for sacrificial service and reinforces unity. Recognition nurtures trust, which in turn opens ears to correction and instruction.

Then, in verse 14, the tone shifts to a pastoral and practical tone. Paul lists four calls to action: Warn those who are idle and disruptive. Unchecked idleness can sow discord and deter spiritual growth. A gentle but firm word may redirect complacency toward healthy engagement. Encourage the disheartened. Discouragement is a snare; timely reminders of God’s faithfulness and promises can rekindle hope. Help the weak. Spiritual or physical frailty demands compassionate presence—lifting burdens, praying together, offering practical aid. Be patient with everyone. Patience undergirds all Christian interaction, reflecting God’s long-suffering grace toward us.

Notice that Paul doesn’t compartmentalize these tasks; they overlap. The same person who cheers the discouraged might also help a struggling single parent or patiently guide someone whose faith is wavering. The overarching principle is embodied love: active, relational, unwavering.

Applying these verses today means tuning our ears to the promptings of the Spirit. Who in your life needs a word of encouragement? Which leader or mentor deserves heartfelt appreciation? Is there someone whose apathy or restlessness calls for a loving warning? Do you know a person whose faith or health is fragile—someone who needs your hands in service as well as your heart in prayer?

The strength of the body hinges on each member’s engagement. When we uphold and honor one another, the gospel shines most clearly. Collective maturity comes from mutual investment—encouragement that builds, recognition that honors, correction that reorients, and care that sustains.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for the gift of Christian community—a body where each member matters. Give us eyes to see the needs around us and the courage to speak words of genuine encouragement. Please help us honor those who labor in ministry, offering gratitude and respect. Teach us to correct lovingly, to strengthen the weak, and to bear with every brother and sister in patience. May our actions and words reflect the heart of Christ, binding us together in unity and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.