What does 1 Thessalonians 5:13 mean?

Citizens may not approve of everything their president or prime minister does or says, but they ought to respect them for the office they hold. Similarly, church members should value and love their spiritual leaders because of the work they do as the Lord's servants. Paul seems to imply a link between proper respect for a church's spiritual leaders and peaceful relations among the church's members. If some members respect their leaders, but others disrespect them, friction may arise, leading to the members taking sides. In the process the church will become unsettled. However, if all the members hold their leaders in high regard, peace will characterize their church.

It is an under-shepherd's responsibility, of course, to feed and care for the sheep, as Jesus instructed the apostle Peter to do (John 21:15–17). Paul urged the young pastor Timothy to set an example for the believers "in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). He also commanded Timothy to preach God's Word (2 Timothy 4:2). Those who live out their obligations as leaders of the church are worthy of respect.