Esteem Leaders in love
David W Palmer
(1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 NKJV) “And we urge you, brethren, to recognise those who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, {13} and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.”
In this passage, the wonderful Holy Spirit says first to “recognise” those he has called to lead you. This may be a parent, teacher, boss (“in the Lord”), church leader, or husband, etc. It means to both take knowledge of who they are, and to watch them closely with the view to imitating their godly qualities. Conversely, the Holy Spirit exhorts them to be “examples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:3 NKJV). So watching your leader closely to imitate them is God’s idea; and it will happen without much forethought or effort—if you keep your eye on them:
(1 Corinthians 11:1 NKJV) “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”
God’s word calls us to “esteem” our leaders “very highly in love.” This means first to view them as the people God has placed in our lives to lead us into his will, character, and vision, etc. However, it also means to hold them in the highest place—in high esteem, if you like. As with wives respecting their husbands, this means that God wants us to respect and honour those he has placed in our lives to represent his authority. So, speak to them with esteem and submissive humility—always expecting the best of them, and that God will lead you through them.
Finally, God says to “love them.” This is an unambiguous exhortation to respect, honour, and esteem leaders, but also to do to them as you would have them do to you. On one hand, those set over us to lead us are powerful, anointed, God-appointed men and women of amazing strength and ability. But on the other hand, they are also frail humans—subject to all the same “afflictions” as all Christians (1 Pet. 5:9 KJV), having the treasure of a God-given supernatural gift housed in “earthen vessels” (2 Cor. 4:7 KJV).
The outward, public presentation of robust supernatural, venerated leadership is in stark contrast to “afflictions” and “earthen vessels” (clay jars). This means that when trying to relate to a strong leader, knowing when to change hats from trembling submission to loving care and compassion is quite challenging. This is why God encourages us to esteem them exclusively in love. It will take love, maturity, and a listening ear to God to know when to humbly acquiesce, or when to compassionately help the person who seems so strong and holy that they would never need our help. This takes God’s loving understanding.
Let’s now look at this passage in some other translations:
(1 Thessalonians 5:13 GWT) We ask you to love them and think very highly of them because of the work they are doing. Live in peace with each other.
(1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. {13} Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
Remember, leaders are flesh and blood people to whom God has assigned a high responsibility; remember also that they have a leader in heaven to whom they must account for their words and actions—so be very gentle and loving with them:
(Hebrews 13:7, 17 NLT) Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. ... {17} Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.
Showing love to a leader includes giving them “reason” to do their leadership of you “with joy and not with sorrow.” In other words, do all you can to make their task of leading you as easy for them as possible. How would you like followers to respond to your
