Then Paul turns his attention toward the believers relationships with one another. And there are six short commands, all of which come about because we need one another to do these things for us.
First, we are to have peace among ourselves. We are a people who are to settle disputes. We are a people who are to be quick to forgive and quick to seek forgiveness. We are a people where love covers a multitude of sins—and just as importantly, it covers a multitude of annoyances. We put up with stuff because we love one another.
Second, we admonition the unruly. This is the same word as instruct from v. 12. See it’s not just the pastor who is to get you to quit doing what you’re doing wrong. We are all called to speak into each others lives. The word unruly could also be translated as undisciplined. It’s a person living a disordered life. And that person needs you to step in and say something. Is my life so full of activities and busyness that I have no time for God and others? God created this world and the people in it to get along in something of a rhythm. God’s world is ordered. His people should be as well.
An undisciplined life can run the gamut from laziness to workaholism. From addiction to drugs to addiction to screens. From an inability to keep commitments to a fear of making commitments for fear of missing out on something better. We need each other to step in sometimes and drag us back on the right path.
Third, we are to encourage the discouraged or fainthearted as my version says. Discouragement shows up in so many ways. From our own failure to overcome sin to the hurt we experience from others being unable to overcome sin to just the difficulties that life brings our way that dashes our expectations and hopes.
Do you have a vocabulary of encouragement? We get bad news at every turn in this world. Can you be the person that passes on hope and courage in the face of this world’s bad news? Will you think seriously about where you naturally go in small talk and every day conversations? Spend some time this week thinking about the direction of the conversations you have. What’s the pattern of your speech? Can you begin thinking about how you can change that if needed to where you are looked at as an encourager?
Fourth, we are to help the weak. The word help here has the idea of clinging to. In other words, stay the course. Help here implies a relationship, not a one-time handout. We might say, “See it through with those who need your help.” It’s the Good Samaritan. He didn’t just bandage the guy up and say, “See ya.” He got him to a safe place, made arrangements, followed up.
This is not saying we never offer one-time help. Sometimes that is appropriate and sufficient. But the weak often need more. And Paul is writing to a church where relationships are the expected norm.
And I can sort of see Paul’s mind turning here as he’s writing: actually, it’s not just he weak who need you stick with them, be patient with everyone. Relationships require perseverance. As a church, we’re in this for the long haul. Yes, even that annoying person needs your patience. Even that sinner needs your patience. Don’t give up on one another.
Finally, don’t repay evil for evil. That would undo all we’ve talked about so far. It’s not encouraging; it’s not patience; it’s not conducive to long-term relationships. Our goal, instead, is to seek one another’s good. And to know what’s good for you requires a relationship. Do we know each other well enough to know what is good for one another, to know if someone needs a hug or a swift kick in the rear—or both.
May we be the kind of body that’s known as one that encourages one another to, if I may borrow Paul’s phrase, excel still more at each of these things.
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