POSTSCRIPTS

 

Friday, January 21, 2022

 

POSTSCRIPTS

1 Thess 5:14-18

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

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.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

 

          A postscript is an additional remark at the end of a letter, after the signature and introduced by “P.S.”. It is the equivalent of “oh, by the way.” Often these postscripts, while short, are significant. Paul adds a list of important things to consider at the end of his first letter to the Thessalonians.

 

          Warn the unruly! This list resembles a military commander dressing and addressing his troops. Each soldier is to help those who are out of their ranks, undisciplined in attitude, and insubordinate. Dr. Barnes says, " It is the duty of every church member, as well as of the ministers of the gospel, affectionately to admonish those whom they know to be living contrary to the requirements of the gospel.”

 

          Comfort the feebleminded! The word does not mean dim-witted as we customarily think. It is translated from the Greek oligopsuchos which literally means little spirited or faint-hearted. Therefore, these feebleminded ones need our comfort rather than our ridicule. Few are those who, on the eve of battle, are fully confident. We are to be encouragers of the timid.

 

          Support the weak! This is the command that is most easily understood. We are to make strong those who are most vulnerable. Our minds think of rescuing the wounded and reinforcing those who are in the heat of the battle.

 

          Be patient! The disorderly, the timid, and the weak will try your patience and perhaps your temper. Don’t abandon your duty as a leader.

 

2 Tim 2:24-25

24 And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong.

25 He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth.

AMP

 

Dear Lord, let me not lose patience. Let me be an encourager. AMEN