One Size Does Not Fit All!

A true communicator takes into account the spiritual, personal, and situational well being of another before engaging in communication. Messages are received based on feelings and emotions that the one who is attempting commuication is likely completely un-aware of.

Paul addressed these matters to the Thessalonian church of Christ in I Thessalonians 5.14. After completion of apostolic instructions regarding the resurrection of the body, Paul's concluding remarks guide them into a biblical approach to supporting one another's spiritual wellbeing. Paul tells them to

Warn the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, and help the weak

Let's look at each. How do Christians warn, encourage, and help? How does one person approach another's spiritual well-being?

WARNING THE UNRULY: The word translated "warn" is a construct of two original words meaning to "Put + into the mind" It is therefore, an emphatic instruction. It is a stronger form of encouragement for it demands changes in both thought and deed. "Warn" according to Zodhiates' The Complete Word Study New Testament, is "training by a word of encouragement when it proves to be sufficent, but also a word remonstrance, reproof, and correction should be required." We might say, "give it just a little gas at first before putting the petal to the metal!" It carries the idea that instruction must be given in ever increasing doses until succcessful. We might think of this process as being much like a "spiritual cressendo."

The word translated "unruly" of the negative particle "A + set in order." Per Thayer, it carries somewhat of a military connotation, the "unruly" are out of ranks, as not in formation. {Picture in your minds Sgt. Carter yelling at Gomer Pyle to get back in line} In other words, UN - Arranged, IN - Subordinate, IR - Religious, DIS - Orderly, IR - Regular, IN - Ordinate. They "deviate from the prescribed order or rule" of things. The unruly are in oppositional warfare with the Will of God. There are 3 other NT uses of "unruly"

Titus 1.6 - "...if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination."  Unruly, or insubordinate, children are described as being riotous, guilty of the charge of public debauchery.

Titus 1.10 - "For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party." False teachers are unruly, talking vainly, deceiving, and are often of the opposition party to truth.

James 3.8 - "but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." The unruly tongue is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

 Those who remain in opposition to God, even though in the Body of Christ, must be continuously warned in ever increasing volume and intensity until such time they repent and comply with the dictates of the Word.

 Comfort - Feebleminded / Encourage - Fainthearted / Strong's words G3888  & G3642

The word translated "comfort" per Thayer, is to "come along side and to calm and console." The word translated "Fainthearted" per Strong is "little spirited." It is a construct of "small + soul" in the original. It's single use in all the Bible is in this verse. Gill says this concerning these "small souls,"

 "...such as are not able to bear the loss of near and dear relations; are ready to stagger under the cross, and at the reproaches and persecutions of the world; and are almost overset with the temptations of Satan; and are borne down and discouraged with the corruptions of their hearts, speak a comfortable word to them, encourage them..."

Support - Weak / Help  - Weak / Strong's words G742  & G772

 The word translated "help" per Thayer is "to keep one's self directly opposite to anyone, hold to him firmly, cleave to him, paying heed to him." The word translated "weak" describes one in a worse condition than the "fainthearted." The "weak" here is seen, as it were, as one who is no longer fighting having passed out entirely, though not yet dead. Zodhiates defines "weak" as one "without power, without strength, without ability." To visualize one "helping the weak," think of a fireman pulling one overcome by smoke out of a burning building. The word is used in only one other place in the NT, Acts 20.35 - "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive." 

 (Be) Patient - All - Strong's words G3114 & G3956

 The word translated "patient" per Thayer is "to be of a long spirit, not to lose heart." This is to be towards all regardless of their spiritual state OR MINE. Zodhiates says, "as opposed to hasty anger and punishment, to forbear as opposed to despondency." The idea is to forbear with all persons despite their circumstances and MINE. Patience with one another is the default position of all Christians towards each other at all times and circumstances.

 Romans 2.6 - 8 - "He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury." 

 Romans 12.12 - "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."

 James 5.7 - 8 - "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."

 Patiently warn the unruly - for he is neither fainthearted or weak. Patiently comfort the fainthearted - for he is neither unruly or weak. Patiently support the weak - for he is neither unruly or fainthearted.

 ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL - WE CANNOT BERATE THE FAINTHEARTED OR THE WEAK. NOR CAN WE FAIL TO WARN THE UNRULY. WE ARE TO PATIENTLY FORGIVE EACH OTHER WHEN WE CONFUZE EACH OTHERS SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS.

 Why? I don’t know if you are unruly, fainthearted or weak. And…you don’t know if I am unruly, fainthearted or weak. As long as we remain this side of eternity, let us patiently warn each other when we are unruly, patiently comfort each other when we become fainthearted, and let us support each other when we become weak. ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL.

RUSSELL H MCCULLOUGH is a gospel preacher and pundit. He writes here on LinkedIn Pulse on a regular basis as well as https://gospelcall.blogspot.com His audio work can be heard at https://soundcloud.com/archdale-church-of-christ