12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
recognize (v.12) = know, be aware, understand — with the sense of appreciating and valuing
those who labor (v.12) = “those who are laboring”
are over (v.12) = stand before, lead, manage, rule, care for, attend to (see 1 Timothy 3:4-5, where the same Greek word is translated “rule”)
in the Lord (v.12) — indicates the authority and scope of these rulers.
admonish (v.12) = noutheteo, lit. “to put into the mind,” “training by word”; hence it is used, (a) of instruction, (b) of warning. It is thus distinguished from paideuo = to correct by discipline, “training by act.”
The difference between “admonish” and “teach” seems to be that whereas the former has mainly in view the things that are wrong and call for warning, the latter has to do chiefly with the impartation of positive truth. — Vine, page 84
esteem (v.13) = to think, consider
very highly (v.13) = exceedingly, superabundantly.
love (v.13) = agape
for their work’s sake ( v.13) = because of their work (not because of personal reasons or office)
