The Shape of Community: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.

The letter was read aloud to the gathered church. Each instruction landed on specific hearts.

Acknowledge those who work hard among you. Stephanas thought of the elders who had guided them through Paul's absence. The ones who stayed when trouble came. The ones who taught when questions arose.

Who care for you in the Lord. Proistamenous—those who stood before, who led, who managed. In the Lord—not domination but service.