1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (KJV)
¹²  And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which 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. And be at peace among yourselves.

Who were these that Paul told the brethren at Thessalonica to know?  While we are not told specifically, it is strongly implied, perhaps even necessarily so, that they were the elders of the church at Thessalonica.  I know that elders are never explicitly referenced in 1 and 2 Thessalonians, but elders are the only ones in the local church who are over brethren.

Acts 20:28 (ESV)
²⁸  Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

In his final instructions to this good church at Thessalonica, Paul admonishes the brethren to know the elders who were laboring among them.  This suggests to us that Paul knew how important it was for the local church to have the right attitude toward the elders that were overseeing them, and that it was critical to the overall peace of the church.

It is the job of every member to get to know the elders, i.e., to become acquainted with them.  Knowing the elders that have oversight over us is very important, but what does it mean to know them? Thayer says the word know means, “to have regard for one, cherish, pay attention to.”  Let’s take a closer look at this.

First, we must have the proper regard for the elders.  This points to having a feeling of respect for them because of the work that they do for us.  The elders watch over our souls, which is no easy task.  It involves caring for each individual saint in the local church, as well as being responsible for the flock as a whole.  Is the church doing the work that God has given it to do?  Is it worshiping God correctly, and are the worship services being done in a way that is pleasing to God?  Are the members being fed the proper spiritual food?  The elders are responsible for all these things and more.  They deserve to be properly regarded.

Second, we are to cherish the elders.  This points to having a loving relationship with them, and, as the NASB suggests, appreciating them.  This involves not only the individuals who occupy the position but also the very fact that we have elders.  After a congregation has had elders for a while, it can take them for granted.  There is, at least, in most cases, a vast difference between congregations that have elders and congregations that do not.  Numerous local churches can only dream of having elders someday.  They want elders, and, of course, they need them and the leadership they can supply, but they just do not have men who qualify (1 Timothy 3:1-7).  If you are a member of a local church that has elders, you should cherish, not only the men who occupy that position, but the very fact that you are under an eldership.

Finally, Thayer says to know the elders means to “pay attention to” them.  This means more than just listening to them, it means being aware of them as individuals.  Being an elder can be very stressful and overwhelming, and they can use some encouragement from time to time.  Furthermore, we should be paying attention to their qualifications and whether they continue to possess them.  Remember, men who at one time qualify to be elders can become unqualified.  As a congregation, we have some responsibility in making sure that we have qualified men serving in this important role.  We can only do this if we know them as we should.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.