“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all“
This verse shows that there are different strokes for different folks. Different methods apply to different needs. Paul encourages us to use four different methods with four different people.
Now we exhort you, brethren,
The word “exhort” carries the idea of appeal to, urge. The entire church “brethren” is to accept the following challenges. Maintenance of order within the church is the responsibility of each person in the church. All believers must exercise concern for the corporate family testimony.
Principle:
No man is an island; we need each other.
Application:
Will you come to the assistance of helping your church develop a corporate testimony? It is easy to find people who experience spiritual difficulties. You can be either a help or a hindrance.
“For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself” (Romans 14:7).
We deal with each person according to his individual need. We find the people cataloged in this verse in every church. People are people wherever you find them. There is no perfect church. If you move to another church, you take your problems with you.
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).
