Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Thessalonians 5:14

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

Some think the Apostle now turns his speech to their Teachers whom he here calls Brethren in a more peculiar sence; and because the Duties here enjoyned do more properly belong to the Ministry. But others more truly judge he continues his Discourse to the whole Church, and the several Members of it. The same Duties are to be performed by both, though under a different Obligation. As in the Civil State all are to seek the good of the Commonwealth, though the Magistrates and Governours are more specially obliged by Office.

Or Admonish; as the same word is rendred in the former verse, here meant of brotherly, there of ministerial admonition▪ wherein great prudence is to be used, as to time, place, persons, manner: And the unruly are such as keep not their place, alluding to Souldiers that keep not their rank, and station, and they are called in the Margin disorderly and that 1. In civil respects, when men live without a calling, or being in it, neglect it, or intrude into other mens business, and perform not the Duties of their Civil Relations. 2. In Natural respects, when men follow not the Light of Nature, and fulfil not the Law of Natural Relations. 3▪ In Spiritual respects, when men neglect or transgress the Rules and Order of their walking in their Church-State, either with respect to their Teachers, or one another. Admonition belongs to such, and is the first step of Church-censure when regularly performed.

[non-Latin text not transcribed] Or the pusillanimous, men of little Souls, as the word imports, such as dare not venture upon hazardous duties, or saint under the fears or feeling of afflictions, or are dejected under the sence of sin, and their own unworthiness, or fears of Gods Wrath, and assaulted by Temptations which endanger their falling.

[non-Latin text not transcribed] an allusion to such as lift at one end of the burden, to help to bear it, answering to the word [non-Latin text not transcribed], Rom. 8.26. The Spirit helpeth our infirmities: And the weak are either the weak in Knowledge, weak in Faith, that understand not their own Liberty in the Gospel, Rom. 14.1. 1 Cor. 8.9. And hereupon cannot practice as others do. Their Conscience is weak, 1 Cor. 8.12. And so were in Bondage to some Ceremonial Rites, when those that were strong stood fast in their Liberty. These are to be supported, dealt tenderly with, and not to be despised, or rigorously used: Or, weak in Grace, new Converts, Babes in Christ, tender Plants, not well rooted in the Gospel.

This Duty is universal, the former concerned only the Saints. The word signifies Longanimity, or Long-suffering, and is often attributed to God, Exod. 34.6. Rom. 9.22. It consisteth in the deferring, or moderating of anger, to wait without anger when men delay us, and to suffer without undue anger when they deal injuriously with us, whether they be good men or evil, believers or infidels, the strong or the weak, Ministers or People.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 word].; 2 Thess. 3.11, 12.; Or, d[illegible: 3 letters]rd[illegible: 2 letters]y.; Rom. 15.1. Gal. [illegible: 1 letter].[illegible: 2 letters].