Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Brethren. This exhortation to "warn" х noutheteite (G3560); "admonish," as 1 Thessalonians 5:12] the unruly (those "disorderly" persons, 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:11, who would not work, through fanatical expectations of Christ's coming, yet expected to be maintained х ataktous (G814)]: said of soldiers not remaining in their ranks, cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:11; also those insubordinate in discipline, as to those "over" the church, 1 Thessalonians 5:12), comfort the faint-hearted х oligopsuchous (G3642): ready to sink 'without hope' in bereavements, 1 Thessalonians 4:13, and temptations], etc., applies to all clergy and laity alike, though primarily to the clergy (1 Thessalonians 5:12). Not only are they to be at peace among themselves, but to promote peace among others.
Support, х antechesthe (G472)] - lay fast hold on to support.
The weak - spiritually. Paul practiced what he preached (1 Corinthians 9:22). Be patient toward all, х makrothumeite (G3114), the opposite of oxuthumein]. There is no believer who needs not long-suffering (1 Corinthians 13:4) patience to be exercised "toward" him; there is none to whom a believer ought not to show it; many show it more to strangers than to their own families, to the great than to the humble: we ought to show it "toward all men" (Bengel). Compare "the long-suffering of our Lord" (2 Corinthians 10:1; 2 Peter 3:15).