Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Thessalonians 5:12

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you , and are over you in the LORD , and admonish you :

The Apostle spake before of their private duties as Christians to one another, now of their duties to their Pastors and Teachers. Least by what he had said they might think the Ministry needless. It seems this Church was setled under Officers which is called an Organical Church And though the Apostle himself was driven from them by Persecution, yet they were not without Ministers and Teachers, and they owed a great duty to them, to which he doth lovingly exhort them. And he describes them not by the name of their office, as Pastors, Elders, or Ministers, but by the work of it. The word imports diligent labour causing weariness, as 1 Tim. 5.17. That labour in the word and doctrine, which shews both the nature of the work of the Ministry it is laborious; and the duty of Ministers therein, not to seek the honour and profit of the Office, and refuse the labour of it; they have the work of Teaching, and of oversight or government and admonition, and all require labour.

The same word is used 1 Tim. 5.17. and translated ru[illegible: 1 letter]ing, it signifies that superintendency and precedency, which the Elders or Ministers have over their respective Flocks, and it is said to be in the Lord, either to distinguish them from Civil Officers, or to shew both the original rule, and end of their Office; it is from the Lord by institution; and to be mannaged according to his Laws, and directed to his service, and glory as its end.

The word is often used in the New Testament, Acts 20.31. Rom. 15.14. Col. 1.28. and 3.16. and signifies either the putting into the mind by way of instruction, or upon the mind by way of counsel, threatning, or reproof; and that either publickly or privately:

Marginal references: 1 Cor. 16.18. Psal. 2.29. [illegible: 1 word] 13.[illegible: 1 letter], 17.