The passage
      v12. Paul's concluding exhortations cover verses 12-22. Addressing the congregation, he asks that they "respect", in the sense of appreciate, those who "work hard" (labor) in the church. Most likely these "laborers" are the leaders of the church who exercise a spiritual ministry, most probably a Word ministry. The labor is i] leadership and ii] admonition. Leadership in the New Testament is usually of a pastoral kind, exercised through the Word of God. Admonition, in the sense of rebuking evil, is again exercised through the Word.
      v13. "Hold them in special esteem and affection", Moffatt. Paul wants the leaders highly regarded, not dismissed. Given the difficulties that have developed in the church between the leaders and the members, he calls on both sides to keep the peace, rather than get into disputes.
      v14. Paul now focuses on the leaders and gives them some pastoral advice: First, "warn those who are idle." Admonish, rebuke those who have given up employment and are living on the generosity of others. This is possibly a result of the expectation of an immediate return of Christ. Second, "encourage the timid." Console and encourage those who are overwhelmed by life's stress and strain. Such should not be condemned. Third, "be patient." Rather than push our own barrow, consider the views of others and accept their limitations, accept their "humanity".
      v15. A leader attacked, insulted and provoked, may want to respond viciously. Patience under provocation is called for. Don't nurse grudges and retaliate. In fact, says Paul, try to develop a habitual attitude of consideration toward others. This advice is good for all church members.
      v16. God created us to be happy in him, so "be joyful.
      v17. Our eternal standing in the sight of God, both now and forever, is a gracious gift of God. What we are in Christ, along with our living for Christ, rests on the prayer of faith. So, be steadfast, focused on such prayer. Paul is not speaking about Father Christmas prayers, but prayer according to the will of God.
      v18. "Give thanks in all circumstances." In the face of life's troubles we can look to our God with a thankful expectation and all things will ultimately work for good for those who love him.
      v19. It is unclear what Paul means by putting out the Spirit's flame. Given the following verses, it is likely that he is referring to manifestations of the Spirit (gifts). The "sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God" is another possibility.
      v20. The exhortation to consider carefully a prophetic word is also unclear in that we are unsure what is meant by prophecy. Some see it as a specific word, such as the Agabus prophecy in Acts (fore-tell). It could also be primary revelation. This ceased at the end of the New Testament period. It is probably something similar to modern preaching in the sense of a powerful application of a Biblical truth (forth-tell).
      v21-22. Following on, Paul now reminds his readers to use their common sense when it comes to prophecy, or any Christian teaching. They must test it, be discriminating. They must retain what is good and true and reject what is evil.
      v23. Having exhorted his readers toward Christ-likeness, Paul now prays that these qualities be realized in their lives. He uses the word "sanctify" to convey this idea. Sanctification is a state of holiness, which, in the renewing power of the indwelling Spirit of Christ, we seek to realize in our daily life; albeit, always imperfectly. Although we yield ourselves to renewal through faith, it is "God himself" who sanctifies. Thus, Paul prays for their sanctification; that they might be wholly affected by the Spirit's renewing work and stand approved in the day of Christ's return.
      v24. Paul is confident that his prayer on behalf of the Thessalonians will be realized.

In constancy serve the Master
      We all need encouragement in the Christian life, for although the Spirit is daily shaping us into the image of Christ, we must still rely on his renewing work and cooperate with it.
      When Paul writes to the Thessalonians, he speaks with people just like us. There are those in the church who are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly use - they are off with the fairies. Then there are those whose assurance is weak - they are no longer sure of their salvation. Then there are those whose moral life is undermined - they are just like us. So Paul encourages them. First, he asks the brethren to respect their leaders in the Lord. He asks for love, for acceptance of one another. He asks for joy, constancy in prayer and a thankful heart in their relationship with the Lord. Finally, he asks for the acceptance, exercise and testing of gifts of ministry in their fellowship.
      He concludes by praying that these qualities will be realized in their fellowship. May they be realized in ours as well.

v13
      hJgeisqai (hJgeomai) mid. inf. "hold" - to consider, esteem. Forming a dependent statement of commanding, see above; "we ask ...... that [you] esteem them." Not only should the Thessalonians respect their leaders, but also esteem them highly, and this not out of fear, but prompted by love.
      eirhneuete (eirhneuw) imp. "live in peace" - be at peace, be peaceful, act peacefully. This exhortation further indicates that there has been strife within the church.

v14
      nouqeteite (nouqetew) imp. "warn" - admonish. Possibly here "exhort". "Keep a check upon", Moffatt; "admonish", Weymouth; "rebuke", REB.
      tous ataktouV adj. "those who are idle" - idlers. The word was used of soldiers marching out of step. Here it refers to those in the church who are meddlesome and idle, therefore, words such as "disorderly" or "unruly" could be used.
      touV oligoyucouV adj. "the timid" - faint-hearted, discouraged, fearful. "Men of little heart" Wiclif. Paul may be referring to a particular group along with the idlers. This group has lost heart due to their improper understanding of the second coming of Christ. Their assurance is undermined.
      antecesqe (antecomai) imp. "help" - cling to, hold. Here in the sense of "support", "sustain", Moffatt.
      twn asqenwn adj. "the weak" - weak. Adjective as a substantive. Here again Paul may be referring to a third group within the church along with the idlers and the timid. This group is weak, probably morally weak. They have fallen into open immorality and need to be guided back to a life which honors Christ.
      makroqumeite (makroqumew) imp. "be patient" - long-suffering, slow to anger. A general exhortation to accept the failures or limitations of others.

v15
      oJrate (oJraw) imp. "make sure" - see to it [not anyone evil]. The congregation as a whole is to accept a fallen brother rather than retaliate for wrong done. "Render not evil for evil."
      ton agaqon diwkete (diwkw) imp. "try to be kind" - the good pursue. It is often argued that the "good" here is love, but the context shows it is forgiveness / acceptance. In fact, love is most readily identified in forgiveness. Note how Jesus identifies the need for the forgiveness of a fallen brother.

v16
      cairete (cairw) imp. "be joyful" - rejoice. Although this verse is often used to encourage believers to be joyful in the face life's troubles, the context encourages joy in our relationship with God in Christ. It is an inner spiritual joy that we are to foster. Rejoicing in the face of adversity is psychologically damaging. Note "you must be happy all the time", Barclay, cf. JB; he has to be kidding! Phillips, "be happy in your faith", is an improvement.

v17
      adialeiptwV adv. "continually" - constant, unceasingly. Paul is calling for steadfastness in prayer rather than repetition, or regularity, Rom.12:12, Col.4:2.

v18
      en panti "in all circumstances" - whatever happens, in every circumstance of life. Again, Paul is not calling for thanksgiving in the face of adversity, and certainly not thanksgiving for adversity, but rather thanksgiving in the midst of adversity, knowing that our Lord will forgive our part in the distress and will ultimately put everything right. It is psychologically damaging to expect believers to thank God for the horrors of life.
      qelhma (a atoV) "will" - It is God's desire that we follow all three of the exhortations in v16 -19. His will is tied to our relationship with Christ, rather than just a cold demand.

v19
      mh sbennute (sbennumi) imp. "do not put out" - do not quench. Restricting, repressing... the extraordinary gifts (charismata) of the Spirit.

v20
      profhteias (a) "prophecies" - From Paul's letter to the Corinthians we know that tongues were held with high esteem, so Paul wanted the Corinthians to lean more toward prophecy. The Thessalonians, with their second coming enthusiasm, may have also undervalued prophecy. From Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 14, we see that prophecy is not foretelling, but forthtelling. We may describe prophecy as powerfully applied Biblical truth. A well exegeted and applied sermon would be a modern equivalent.
      mh exouqeneite (exouqenew) imp. "do not treat [prophecies] with contempt" - Here in the sense of "undervalue".

v21
      dokimazete (dokimazw) imp. "test" - prove the worth of something by testing its credentials, examine. Spirit gifted ministries should be examined and certified, cf 1Cor.12:10, 14:29.

v22
      apecesqe (apecomai)mid. imp. "avoid" - abstain, hold aloof from. Addressing the gifts of ministry, Paul is encouraging his readers to submit to valid ministries, but stand back from those that are invalid (ie. the ones that do not stand the test of scripture).

v23
      aJgiasai (agiazw) aor. opt. "may ...... sanctify" - may he sanctify, consecrate. Sanctify is better in the sense of an ongoing work of the Spirit whereby we are shaped toward the person we are already in Christ.
      oJloteleiV adj. "through and through" - wholly, completely. Wholly affected by Christ's renewing work through the indwelling Spirit, but not perfected as if the old Adam is no longer with us.
      oJloklhron (oV) "whole" - the whole person; body, soul and spirit. "Kept entirely safe." "May you be kept in soul, in mind and in body", Phillips.
      amemptwV adv. "blameless" - in Christ, and therefore approved in the sight of God at the awful day, "free of any fault", REB.