13. καὶἡγεῖσθαικτλ.] The exact construction of these words is not unattended with difficulty. Many commentators render ‘ hold them in love exceeding highly,’ connecting ἐνἀγάπῃ closely with ἡγεῖσθαι on the ground of such partial parallels as ἔχειντιναἐντινι (Romans 1:28, Thuc. 2:18, 3:9). But it is simpler to take the words in the order in which they stand, and to translate with the R.V. ‘ esteem them exceeding highly in love,’ ἐνἀγάπῃ being then a loose adjunct to the whole phrase ἡγ. αὐτ. ὑπερεκ.: cf. Job 35:2 τίτοῦτοἡγήσωἐνκρίσει; The only difficulty is the somewhat strong sense ‘ esteem’ (Thdt.: πλείονοςἀξιοῦντιμῆς) that is thus given to the generally colourless ἡγεῖσθαι, and for which Lft. can find no nearer parallel than Thuc. 2:42 τὸἀμύνεσθαικαὶπαθεῖνμᾶλλονἡγησάμενοιἢτὸἐνδόντεςσώζεσθαι ‘ preferring rather to suffer in self-defence &c.’ It is supported however by the analogous use of εἰδέναι, (v. 12), and by the general warmth of tone of the whole passage: cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:15 note. For ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ (ὑπερκπερισσῶς, WH. mg.) see note on 3:10. διὰτ. ἔργοναὐτῶν] ‘ for their work’ s sake,’ i.e. both because of their activity in it, and its own intrinsic importance. Calv.: ‘ Huius operis inaestimabilis est excellentia ac dignitas: ergo quos tantae rei ministros facit Deus, nobis eximios esse oportet.’ εἰρηνεύετεκτλ.] ‘ be at peace among yourselves’— a precept not to be dissociated from the preceding, but implying that by their affectionate loyalty to their leaders the Thessalonians were to maintain the peace of the whole community (Beza pacem colite inter vos mutuo). For εἰρηνεύειν in this sense cf. Mark 9:50, Romans 12:18, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Sir 28:9; Sir 28:13 (15). If the more difficult but well-attested ἀναὐτοῖς (àD*GP) is preferred, the meaning will then be ‘ find your peace through them’ i.e. ‘ through their leadership.’ In no case can we render ‘ be at peace with (i.e. in your intercourse with) them’ (Vg. cum eis), which would require μετʼ αὐτῶν (cf. Romans 12:18).