This verse begins in Greek with “and,” but this conjunction is better omitted, not only because of the preference in many languages for shorter sentences, but because “and” tends to lead the reader to expect something new, distinct from what has gone before. In fact, verse 13a largely repeats verse 12. Work is a common word, unrelated to work in verse 12, and without the suggestion of effort of hard labor. Paul is clearly thinking here, not of the work these individuals do in order to earn their living, but of their function as leaders in the church.

Treat them with the greatest respect may be translated as “honor them very much,” or “show them how important you think they are.”

Treat them with … love can be rendered in some languages only as “love them,” but in certain instances a translation such as “show great appreciation for them” may be closer to the meaning of this context.

Because of the work they do may be best expressed in some cases as “because of all the ways in which they help you,” or “because of all that they do,” thus avoiding any specific reference to work which might imply physical labor.

Bible de Jérusalem (1st ed.) Jerusalem Bible Le Nouveau Testament. Version Synodale Moffatt Phillips Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch all begin a new paragraph at be at peace among yourselves, and one or two translations try to make explicit a connection with what follows. Le Nouveau Testament. Version Synodale suggests a contrastive relation: “Be at peace among yourselves. However, we beg you, brothers, warn….” Phillips, on the other hand, thinks of a relation of means and purpose: “Live together in peace, and our instruction to this end is to reprimand….” If be at peace among yourselves is placed at the end of the preceding paragraph, it will refer to good relations between the church leaders and the rest of the Christian community. If this admonition is placed at the beginning of a new paragraph, it will refer to tensions among the members (cf. v. 15a). Formally, however, verse 14, with its we urge you, the transitional “and” or “but,” and brothers, appears to begin a new paragraph. If 13b is placed, as in most translations (including Bible de Jérusalem 2nd ed.), at the end of the preceding paragraph, if forms a good bridge between verses 12-13 and 14-15. The underlying thought, somewhat expanded, is most probably “you should maintain good relations with your leaders, but also with one another generally; and we must therefore go on to urge you to warn the idle” etc. Peace in Hebrew and Jewish-Christian thought was more than the absence of conflict. Nevertheless, Barclay‘s rendering of verse 13b should be noted as an example of “overtranslation”: “Nothing must ever be allowed to interrupt your personal relationships with each other.”

Be at peace implies a state, not a specific act of peace-making or reconciliation; “live at peace” (New English Bible cf. Bijbel in Gewone Taal Bible en français courant Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch Biblia Dios Habla Hoy) expresses this clearly. A positive quality such as peace can best be expressed in some languages as the negation of a bad quality or condition, for example, “live together without quarreling,” or “live together without feeling against one another.”

This is the first of a long series of imperatives in verses 13-22 which suggest continuous or repeated action over a period. This effect is strengthened by the use of such words as at all times (vv. 15, 17) and always (v. 16).

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1976. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .