1 Thessalonians 5:14 Bear One Another's Burdens

We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. [1 Thessalonians 5:14 NASB]

Paul is passing on some teaching to the church. He says to admonish the unruly. That is, we are to warn, or reprimand those who don't hold with sound teaching, or who are giving in to the desires of the flesh. He says;

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. [2 Thessalonians 3:6 NASB]

He reiterate this command to the Corinthian church;

I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES. [1 Corinthians 5:9-13 NASB]

If we see a fellow Christian who is living in a manner inconsistent with the Spirit of God, then we are to warn or reprimand him. If he refuses to listen, but continues in an ungodly lifestyle, then we are to disassociate ourselves from him. This is a form of discipline that will, hopefully, draw him back to Christ. It is also for our own benefit, so that we will not be drawn into ungodly practices with him.

We are to encourage the fainthearted. The proverb says;

The spirit of a man can endure his sickness,But as for a broken spirit who can bear it? [Proverbs 18:14 NASB]

It is true that God heals a broken spirit. But it is also true that He often uses us to effect that healing. He has given us the tools. We have the Spirit of God living in us, who gives us wisdom and knowledge to minister to those in need. We have the word of God;

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. [Hebrews 4:12 NASB]

We are to help the weak. Don't view the weak with disdain. The one who is weak today may be the strong one who is helping you tomorrow. We are given this account of Moses;

So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. [Exodus 17:9-13 NASB]

Moses wasn't a weak man, but in that moment, he was too weak for the task. But with the support of others, he had the strength that he needed to prevail.

We are to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others.

These instructions are written to everybody in the church, not just the leaders. If we maintain the concept of a professional clergy who looks out for all the needs of the saints, then we remove ourselves from all of the responsibility, and the privilege, of ministering to one another. Galatians 6:2 says that we are to bear one another's burdens. This is the calling of every believer in Christ.

Lord, Thank You for my brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray that You will open my eyes to see their needs, and grant me the means to meet those needs.