1 Thessalonians 5:12 And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your ...

5:12 MSG

逐节对照

The Message - And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!
新标点和合本 - 弟兄们，我们劝你们敬重那在你们中间劳苦的人，就是在主里面治理你们、劝戒你们的；
和合本2010（上帝版-简体） - 弟兄们，我们劝你们要敬重那些在你们中间劳苦的，就是在主里面督导你们、劝戒你们的人。
和合本2010（神版-简体） - 弟兄们，我们劝你们要敬重那些在你们中间劳苦的，就是在主里面督导你们、劝戒你们的人。
当代译本 - 弟兄姊妹，我劝你们要敬重那些在你们当中辛勤工作、在主里领导和劝诫你们的人。
圣经新译本 - 弟兄们，我们求你们要敬重那些在你们中间劳苦的人，就是在主里面治理你们、劝戒你们的人。
中文标准译本 - 弟兄们，我们请求你们：要敬重那些在你们中间劳苦做工、在主里带领你们、劝诫你们的人，
现代标点和合本 - 弟兄们，我们劝你们敬重那在你们中间劳苦的人，就是在主里面治理你们、劝诫你们的。
和合本（拼音版） - 弟兄们，我们劝你们敬重那在你们中间劳苦的人，就是在主里面治理你们、劝戒你们的。
New International Version - 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.
New International Reader's Version - Brothers and sisters, we ask you to accept the godly leaders who work hard among you. They care for you in the Lord. They correct you.
English Standard Version - We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
New Living Translation - 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.
Christian Standard Bible - Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you,
New American Standard Bible - But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to recognize those who diligently labor among you and are in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you instruction,
New King James Version - And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
Amplified Bible - Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to appreciate those who diligently work among you [recognize, acknowledge, and respect your leaders], who are in charge over you in the Lord and who give you instruction,
American Standard Version - But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
King James Version - And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
New English Translation - Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you,
World English Bible - But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you,
新標點和合本 - 弟兄們，我們勸你們敬重那在你們中間勞苦的人，就是在主裏面治理你們、勸戒你們的；
和合本2010（上帝版-繁體） - 弟兄們，我們勸你們要敬重那些在你們中間勞苦的，就是在主裏面督導你們、勸戒你們的人。
和合本2010（神版-繁體） - 弟兄們，我們勸你們要敬重那些在你們中間勞苦的，就是在主裏面督導你們、勸戒你們的人。
當代譯本 - 弟兄姊妹，我勸你們要敬重那些在你們當中辛勤工作、在主裡領導和勸誡你們的人。
聖經新譯本 - 弟兄們，我們求你們要敬重那些在你們中間勞苦的人，就是在主裡面治理你們、勸戒你們的人。
呂振中譯本 - 弟兄們，我們求你們要賞識那些在你們中間勞苦、在主裏督導你們、勸戒你們的。
中文標準譯本 - 弟兄們，我們請求你們：要敬重那些在你們中間勞苦做工、在主裡帶領你們、勸誡你們的人，
現代標點和合本 - 弟兄們，我們勸你們敬重那在你們中間勞苦的人，就是在主裡面治理你們、勸誡你們的。
文理和合譯本 - 兄弟乎、我求爾、凡在爾中勤勞、且為主治爾警爾者、爾其識之、
文理委辦譯本 - 我勸兄弟尊師、彼宗主為爾服勞、治爾誨爾、
施約瑟淺文理新舊約聖經 - 我求兄弟、尊敬尊敬原文作認於爾中服勞之人、即奉主名而治爾誨爾者、
吳經熊文理聖詠與新經全集 - 凡服務爾中、奉主之命、管理爾等、訓導爾等者、
Nueva Versión Internacional - Hermanos, les pedimos que sean considerados con los que trabajan arduamente entre ustedes, y los guían y amonestan en el Señor.
현대인의 성경 - 형제 여러분, 주님을 섬기는 일에 여러분을 지도하고 가르치는 분들의 수고를 잊지 마십시오.
Новый Русский Перевод - Мы обращаемся к вам, братья, с просьбой: оказывайте почет тем, кто так усердно трудится среди вас, кто руководит вашей церковью и наставляет вас в следовании Господу.
Восточный перевод - Мы обращаемся к вам, братья, с просьбой: оказывайте почёт тем, кто так усердно трудится среди вас, кто руководит вашей общиной и наставляет вас в следовании Повелителю.
Восточный перевод, версия с «Аллахом» - Мы обращаемся к вам, братья, с просьбой: оказывайте почёт тем, кто так усердно трудится среди вас, кто руководит вашей общиной и наставляет вас в следовании Повелителю.
Восточный перевод, версия для Таджикистана - Мы обращаемся к вам, братья, с просьбой: оказывайте почёт тем, кто так усердно трудится среди вас, кто руководит вашей общиной и наставляет вас в следовании Повелителю.
La Bible du Semeur 2015 - Nous vous demandons, frères et sœurs, d’apprécier ceux qui travaillent parmi vous, qui vous dirigent au nom du Seigneur et qui vous avertissent.
リビングバイブル - 皆さん。あなたがたの間で一生懸命働き、何かまちがいがあれば親身になって忠告してくれる人たちを尊敬しなさい。
Nestle Aland 28 - Ἐρωτῶμεν δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, εἰδέναι τοὺς κοπιῶντας ἐν ὑμῖν καὶ προϊσταμένους ὑμῶν ἐν κυρίῳ καὶ νουθετοῦντας ὑμᾶς
unfoldingWord® Greek New Testament - ἐρωτῶμεν δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, εἰδέναι τοὺς κοπιῶντας ἐν ὑμῖν, καὶ προϊσταμένους ὑμῶν ἐν Κυρίῳ, καὶ νουθετοῦντας ὑμᾶς;
Nova Versão Internacional - Agora pedimos a vocês, irmãos, que tenham consideração para com os que se esforçam no trabalho entre vocês, que os lideram no Senhor e os aconselham.
Hoffnung für alle - Liebe Brüder und Schwestern! Wir bitten euch darum, all die anzuerkennen, die sich für euch einsetzen. Der Herr hat ihnen die Leitung eurer Gemeinde anvertraut, und sie bewahren euch vor falschen Wegen.
Kinh Thánh Hiện Đại - Thưa anh chị em thân yêu, xin anh chị em ghi ân những người có công khó hướng dẫn, khuyên bảo anh chị em.
พระคริสตธรรมคัมภีร์ไทย ฉบับอมตธรรมร่วมสมัย - พี่น้องทั้งหลาย เราขอให้ท่านนับถือผู้ที่ทำงานหนักในหมู่พวกท่าน ผู้ที่ปกครองดูแลพวกท่านในองค์พระผู้เป็นเจ้าและผู้ที่ตักเตือนท่าน
พระคัมภีร์ ฉบับแปลใหม่ - พี่น้องทั้งหลาย บัดนี้พวกเราขอให้ท่านนับถือบรรดาผู้ที่ลงแรงทำงานด้วยความขยันขันแข็งในหมู่ท่าน อีกทั้งนำท่านในด้านงานของพระผู้เป็นเจ้าและตักเตือนท่าน

交叉引用

Philippians 2:19 - I plan (according to Jesus’ plan) to send Timothy to you very soon so he can bring back all the news of you he can gather. Oh, how that will do my heart good! I have no one quite like Timothy. He is loyal, and genuinely concerned for you. Most people around here are looking out for themselves, with little concern for the things of Jesus. But you know yourselves that Timothy’s the real thing. He’s been a devoted son to me as together we’ve delivered the Message. As soon as I see how things are going to fall out for me here, I plan to send him off. And then I’m hoping and praying to be right on his heels.
1 Timothy 5:1 - Don’t be harsh or impatient with an older man. Talk to him as you would your own father, and to the younger men as your brothers. Reverently honor an older woman as you would your mother, and the younger women as sisters.
1 Timothy 5:20 - If anyone falls into sin, call that person on the carpet. Those who are inclined that way will know right off they can’t get by with it.
Titus 2:15 - Tell them all this. Build up their courage, and discipline them if they get out of line. You’re in charge. Don’t let anyone put you down.
Revelation 3:7 - Write this to Philadelphia, to the Angel of the church. The Holy, the True—David’s key in his hand, opening doors no one can lock, locking doors no one can open—speaks:
Revelation 3:14 - Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God’s Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God’s creation, says:
Revelation 2:8 - Write this to Smyrna, to the Angel of the church. The Beginning and Ending, the First and Final One, the Once Dead and Then Come Alive, speaks:
Revelation 2:12 - Write this to Pergamum, to the Angel of the church. The One with the sharp-biting sword draws from the sheath of his mouth—out come the sword words:
Titus 1:5 - I left you in charge in Crete so you could complete what I left half-done. Appoint leaders in every town according to my instructions. As you select them, ask, “Is this man well-thought-of? Is he committed to his wife? Are his children believers? Do they respect him and stay out of trouble?” It’s important that a church leader, responsible for the affairs in God’s house, be looked up to—not pushy, not short-tempered, not a drunk, not a bully, not money-hungry. He must welcome people, be helpful, wise, fair, reverent, have a good grip on himself, and have a good grip on the Message, knowing how to use the truth to either spur people on in knowledge or stop them in their tracks if they oppose it.
Acts 20:28 - “Now it’s up to you. Be on your toes—both for yourselves and your congregation of sheep. The Holy Spirit has put you in charge of these people—God’s people they are—to guard and protect them. God himself thought they were worth dying for.
1 Corinthians 3:9 - Or, to put it another way, you are God’s house. Using the gift God gave me as a good architect, I designed blueprints; Apollos is putting up the walls. Let each carpenter who comes on the job take care to build on the foundation! Remember, there is only one foundation, the one already laid: Jesus Christ. Take particular care in picking out your building materials. Eventually there is going to be an inspection. If you use cheap or inferior materials, you’ll be found out. The inspection will be thorough and rigorous. You won’t get by with a thing. If your work passes inspection, fine; if it doesn’t, your part of the building will be torn out and started over. But you won’t be torn out; you’ll survive—but just barely.
1 Thessalonians 2:9 - You remember us in those days, friends, working our fingers to the bone, up half the night, moonlighting so you wouldn’t have the burden of supporting us while we proclaimed God’s Message to you. You saw with your own eyes how discreet and courteous we were among you, with keen sensitivity to you as fellow believers. And God knows we weren’t freeloaders! You experienced it all firsthand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life.
Revelation 2:18 - Write this to Thyatira, to the Angel of the church. God’s Son, eyes pouring fire-blaze, standing on feet of furnace-fired bronze, says this:
2 Corinthians 5:9 - But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that’s what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. Sooner or later we’ll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what’s coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad.
2 Corinthians 11:23 - I’ve worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death’s door time after time. I’ve been flogged five times with the Jews’ thirty-nine lashes, beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. I’ve been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day. In hard traveling year in and year out, I’ve had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I’ve been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers. I’ve known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather.
2 Corinthians 6:1 - Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. God reminds us, I heard your call in the nick of time; The day you needed me, I was there to help. Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped. Don’t put it off; don’t frustrate God’s work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we’re doing. Our work as God’s servants gets validated—or not—in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.
Luke 10:1 - Later the Master selected seventy and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go. He gave them this charge: “What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands.
Revelation 3:1 - Write this to Sardis, to the Angel of the church. The One holding the Seven Spirits of God in one hand, a firm grip on the Seven Stars with the other, speaks: “I see right through your work. You have a reputation for vigor and zest, but you’re dead, stone-dead.
Luke 10:7 - “Stay at one home, taking your meals there, for a worker deserves three square meals. Don’t move from house to house, looking for the best cook in town.
1 Corinthians 15:10 - But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I’m not about to let his grace go to waste. Haven’t I worked hard trying to do more than any of the others? Even then, my work didn’t amount to all that much. It was God giving me the work to do, God giving me the energy to do it. So whether you heard it from me or from those others, it’s all the same: We spoke God’s truth and you entrusted your lives.
1 Timothy 5:17 - Give a bonus to leaders who do a good job, especially the ones who work hard at preaching and teaching. Scripture tells us, “Don’t muzzle a working ox” and “A worker deserves his pay.”
Hebrews 13:7 - Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself.
Hebrews 13:17 - Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?

逐节对照

交叉引用

The Message - And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!
新标点和合本 - 弟兄们，我们劝你们敬重那在你们中间劳苦的人，就是在主里面治理你们、劝戒你们的；
和合本2010（上帝版-简体） - 弟兄们，我们劝你们要敬重那些在你们中间劳苦的，就是在主里面督导你们、劝戒你们的人。
和合本2010（神版-简体） - 弟兄们，我们劝你们要敬重那些在你们中间劳苦的，就是在主里面督导你们、劝戒你们的人。
当代译本 - 弟兄姊妹，我劝你们要敬重那些在你们当中辛勤工作、在主里领导和劝诫你们的人。
圣经新译本 - 弟兄们，我们求你们要敬重那些在你们中间劳苦的人，就是在主里面治理你们、劝戒你们的人。
中文标准译本 - 弟兄们，我们请求你们：要敬重那些在你们中间劳苦做工、在主里带领你们、劝诫你们的人，
现代标点和合本 - 弟兄们，我们劝你们敬重那在你们中间劳苦的人，就是在主里面治理你们、劝诫你们的。
和合本（拼音版） - 弟兄们，我们劝你们敬重那在你们中间劳苦的人，就是在主里面治理你们、劝戒你们的。
New International Version - 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.
New International Reader's Version - Brothers and sisters, we ask you to accept the godly leaders who work hard among you. They care for you in the Lord. They correct you.
English Standard Version - We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
New Living Translation - 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.
Christian Standard Bible - Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you,
New American Standard Bible - But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to recognize those who diligently labor among you and are in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you instruction,
New King James Version - And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
Amplified Bible - Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to appreciate those who diligently work among you [recognize, acknowledge, and respect your leaders], who are in charge over you in the Lord and who give you instruction,
American Standard Version - But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
King James Version - And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
New English Translation - Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you,
World English Bible - But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you,
新標點和合本 - 弟兄們，我們勸你們敬重那在你們中間勞苦的人，就是在主裏面治理你們、勸戒你們的；
和合本2010（上帝版-繁體） - 弟兄們，我們勸你們要敬重那些在你們中間勞苦的，就是在主裏面督導你們、勸戒你們的人。
和合本2010（神版-繁體） - 弟兄們，我們勸你們要敬重那些在你們中間勞苦的，就是在主裏面督導你們、勸戒你們的人。
當代譯本 - 弟兄姊妹，我勸你們要敬重那些在你們當中辛勤工作、在主裡領導和勸誡你們的人。
聖經新譯本 - 弟兄們，我們求你們要敬重那些在你們中間勞苦的人，就是在主裡面治理你們、勸戒你們的人。
呂振中譯本 - 弟兄們，我們求你們要賞識那些在你們中間勞苦、在主裏督導你們、勸戒你們的。
中文標準譯本 - 弟兄們，我們請求你們：要敬重那些在你們中間勞苦做工、在主裡帶領你們、勸誡你們的人，
現代標點和合本 - 弟兄們，我們勸你們敬重那在你們中間勞苦的人，就是在主裡面治理你們、勸誡你們的。
文理和合譯本 - 兄弟乎、我求爾、凡在爾中勤勞、且為主治爾警爾者、爾其識之、
文理委辦譯本 - 我勸兄弟尊師、彼宗主為爾服勞、治爾誨爾、
施約瑟淺文理新舊約聖經 - 我求兄弟、尊敬尊敬原文作認於爾中服勞之人、即奉主名而治爾誨爾者、
吳經熊文理聖詠與新經全集 - 凡服務爾中、奉主之命、管理爾等、訓導爾等者、
Nueva Versión Internacional - Hermanos, les pedimos que sean considerados con los que trabajan arduamente entre ustedes, y los guían y amonestan en el Señor.
현대인의 성경 - 형제 여러분, 주님을 섬기는 일에 여러분을 지도하고 가르치는 분들의 수고를 잊지 마십시오.
Новый Русский Перевод - Мы обращаемся к вам, братья, с просьбой: оказывайте почет тем, кто так усердно трудится среди вас, кто руководит вашей церковью и наставляет вас в следовании Господу.
Восточный перевод - Мы обращаемся к вам, братья, с просьбой: оказывайте почёт тем, кто так усердно трудится среди вас, кто руководит вашей общиной и наставляет вас в следовании Повелителю.
Восточный перевод, версия с «Аллахом» - Мы обращаемся к вам, братья, с просьбой: оказывайте почёт тем, кто так усердно трудится среди вас, кто руководит вашей общиной и наставляет вас в следовании Повелителю.
Восточный перевод, версия для Таджикистана - Мы обращаемся к вам, братья, с просьбой: оказывайте почёт тем, кто так усердно трудится среди вас, кто руководит вашей общиной и наставляет вас в следовании Повелителю.
La Bible du Semeur 2015 - Nous vous demandons, frères et sœurs, d’apprécier ceux qui travaillent parmi vous, qui vous dirigent au nom du Seigneur et qui vous avertissent.
リビングバイブル - 皆さん。あなたがたの間で一生懸命働き、何かまちがいがあれば親身になって忠告してくれる人たちを尊敬しなさい。
Nestle Aland 28 - Ἐρωτῶμεν δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, εἰδέναι τοὺς κοπιῶντας ἐν ὑμῖν καὶ προϊσταμένους ὑμῶν ἐν κυρίῳ καὶ νουθετοῦντας ὑμᾶς
unfoldingWord® Greek New Testament - ἐρωτῶμεν δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, εἰδέναι τοὺς κοπιῶντας ἐν ὑμῖν, καὶ προϊσταμένους ὑμῶν ἐν Κυρίῳ, καὶ νουθετοῦντας ὑμᾶς;
Nova Versão Internacional - Agora pedimos a vocês, irmãos, que tenham consideração para com os que se esforçam no trabalho entre vocês, que os lideram no Senhor e os aconselham.
Hoffnung für alle - Liebe Brüder und Schwestern! Wir bitten euch darum, all die anzuerkennen, die sich für euch einsetzen. Der Herr hat ihnen die Leitung eurer Gemeinde anvertraut, und sie bewahren euch vor falschen Wegen.
Kinh Thánh Hiện Đại - Thưa anh chị em thân yêu, xin anh chị em ghi ân những người có công khó hướng dẫn, khuyên bảo anh chị em.
พระคริสตธรรมคัมภีร์ไทย ฉบับอมตธรรมร่วมสมัย - พี่น้องทั้งหลาย เราขอให้ท่านนับถือผู้ที่ทำงานหนักในหมู่พวกท่าน ผู้ที่ปกครองดูแลพวกท่านในองค์พระผู้เป็นเจ้าและผู้ที่ตักเตือนท่าน
พระคัมภีร์ ฉบับแปลใหม่ - พี่น้องทั้งหลาย บัดนี้พวกเราขอให้ท่านนับถือบรรดาผู้ที่ลงแรงทำงานด้วยความขยันขันแข็งในหมู่ท่าน อีกทั้งนำท่านในด้านงานของพระผู้เป็นเจ้าและตักเตือนท่าน

Philippians 2:19 - I plan (according to Jesus’ plan) to send Timothy to you very soon so he can bring back all the news of you he can gather. Oh, how that will do my heart good! I have no one quite like Timothy. He is loyal, and genuinely concerned for you. Most people around here are looking out for themselves, with little concern for the things of Jesus. But you know yourselves that Timothy’s the real thing. He’s been a devoted son to me as together we’ve delivered the Message. As soon as I see how things are going to fall out for me here, I plan to send him off. And then I’m hoping and praying to be right on his heels.
1 Timothy 5:1 - Don’t be harsh or impatient with an older man. Talk to him as you would your own father, and to the younger men as your brothers. Reverently honor an older woman as you would your mother, and the younger women as sisters.
1 Timothy 5:20 - If anyone falls into sin, call that person on the carpet. Those who are inclined that way will know right off they can’t get by with it.
Titus 2:15 - Tell them all this. Build up their courage, and discipline them if they get out of line. You’re in charge. Don’t let anyone put you down.
Revelation 3:7 - Write this to Philadelphia, to the Angel of the church. The Holy, the True—David’s key in his hand, opening doors no one can lock, locking doors no one can open—speaks:
Revelation 3:14 - Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God’s Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God’s creation, says:
Revelation 2:8 - Write this to Smyrna, to the Angel of the church. The Beginning and Ending, the First and Final One, the Once Dead and Then Come Alive, speaks:
Revelation 2:12 - Write this to Pergamum, to the Angel of the church. The One with the sharp-biting sword draws from the sheath of his mouth—out come the sword words:
Titus 1:5 - I left you in charge in Crete so you could complete what I left half-done. Appoint leaders in every town according to my instructions. As you select them, ask, “Is this man well-thought-of? Is he committed to his wife? Are his children believers? Do they respect him and stay out of trouble?” It’s important that a church leader, responsible for the affairs in God’s house, be looked up to—not pushy, not short-tempered, not a drunk, not a bully, not money-hungry. He must welcome people, be helpful, wise, fair, reverent, have a good grip on himself, and have a good grip on the Message, knowing how to use the truth to either spur people on in knowledge or stop them in their tracks if they oppose it.
Acts 20:28 - “Now it’s up to you. Be on your toes—both for yourselves and your congregation of sheep. The Holy Spirit has put you in charge of these people—God’s people they are—to guard and protect them. God himself thought they were worth dying for.
1 Corinthians 3:9 - Or, to put it another way, you are God’s house. Using the gift God gave me as a good architect, I designed blueprints; Apollos is putting up the walls. Let each carpenter who comes on the job take care to build on the foundation! Remember, there is only one foundation, the one already laid: Jesus Christ. Take particular care in picking out your building materials. Eventually there is going to be an inspection. If you use cheap or inferior materials, you’ll be found out. The inspection will be thorough and rigorous. You won’t get by with a thing. If your work passes inspection, fine; if it doesn’t, your part of the building will be torn out and started over. But you won’t be torn out; you’ll survive—but just barely.
1 Thessalonians 2:9 - You remember us in those days, friends, working our fingers to the bone, up half the night, moonlighting so you wouldn’t have the burden of supporting us while we proclaimed God’s Message to you. You saw with your own eyes how discreet and courteous we were among you, with keen sensitivity to you as fellow believers. And God knows we weren’t freeloaders! You experienced it all firsthand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life.
Revelation 2:18 - Write this to Thyatira, to the Angel of the church. God’s Son, eyes pouring fire-blaze, standing on feet of furnace-fired bronze, says this:
2 Corinthians 5:9 - But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that’s what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. Sooner or later we’ll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what’s coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad.
2 Corinthians 11:23 - I’ve worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death’s door time after time. I’ve been flogged five times with the Jews’ thirty-nine lashes, beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. I’ve been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day. In hard traveling year in and year out, I’ve had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I’ve been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers. I’ve known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather.
2 Corinthians 6:1 - Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. God reminds us, I heard your call in the nick of time; The day you needed me, I was there to help. Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped. Don’t put it off; don’t frustrate God’s work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we’re doing. Our work as God’s servants gets validated—or not—in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.
Luke 10:1 - Later the Master selected seventy and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go. He gave them this charge: “What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands.
Revelation 3:1 - Write this to Sardis, to the Angel of the church. The One holding the Seven Spirits of God in one hand, a firm grip on the Seven Stars with the other, speaks: “I see right through your work. You have a reputation for vigor and zest, but you’re dead, stone-dead.
Luke 10:7 - “Stay at one home, taking your meals there, for a worker deserves three square meals. Don’t move from house to house, looking for the best cook in town.
1 Corinthians 15:10 - But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I’m not about to let his grace go to waste. Haven’t I worked hard trying to do more than any of the others? Even then, my work didn’t amount to all that much. It was God giving me the work to do, God giving me the energy to do it. So whether you heard it from me or from those others, it’s all the same: We spoke God’s truth and you entrusted your lives.
1 Timothy 5:17 - Give a bonus to leaders who do a good job, especially the ones who work hard at preaching and teaching. Scripture tells us, “Don’t muzzle a working ox” and “A worker deserves his pay.”
Hebrews 13:7 - Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself.
Hebrews 13:17 - Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?