1 Thessalonians 4
Exhortations to Holiness; Caution against Impurity.In this section, Paul encourages the Thessalonians to keep growing in holiness. He reminds them that living a holy life pleases God and matches the teachings they have already received. Paul also warns them strongly against sexual impurity, explaining that it is completely opposite to the Christian life. He gives several reasons why Christians must avoid such sins and live in a way that honors God.v. 1: Paul speaks to the Thessalonians with care and love. He urges them as brothers, saying, We beseech and exhort you by the Lord Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:1 a). Paul wants them to keep growing and becoming better in their faith and good actions. Even though they already have a good reputation, he encourages them to go even further, because no one is perfect. Christians should always try to grow and do better for God. v. 2: Paul reminds them that they already know how to live to please God. He says, You know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:2 b). The gospel is not just about believing the right things, but also about living the right way. Paul taught them God’s commands, not his own ideas, and he spoke with the authority of Jesus Christ. v. 3: Paul gives a clear warning: This is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication (1 Thessalonians 4:3 c). God wants his people to be holy and pure, both in heart and body. Sexual sin is against God’s law and against the holiness that the gospel teaches. Christians must keep themselves clean for God’s service. v. 4: He explains that living a pure life will bring them honor: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour (1 Thessalonians 4:4 d). Our bodies should be treated with respect, not controlled by wrong desires. To give in to sinful passions is shameful, but self-control brings honor. v. 5: Paul says Christians must not act like those who do not know God: Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God (1 Thessalonians 4:5 e). People without God often follow their sinful desires, but Christians have a different standard. They are called to a new life, not to live as the world does (1 Peter 4:3 f). v. 6: He warns that sexual sin is also a form of injustice: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter (1 Thessalonians 4:6 g). Such sins can hurt others deeply, especially in marriage. God will judge and punish these sins, even if people hide them. Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge (Hebrews 13:4; Romans 1:18 h). v. 7: Paul reminds them that God’s calling is for holiness: For God has not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:7 i). Christians are chosen to live pure and holy lives, not to act in ways that are impure or displeasing to God. v. 8: Finally, Paul says that rejecting this teaching is not just ignoring a human rule, but despising God: He therefore that despises, despises not man, but God, who has also given unto us his holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 4:8 j). God gives his Holy Spirit to help us live holy lives. If we ignore this, we are turning away from God himself, who wants to help us be pure and strong. Brotherly Love.In this section, Paul talks about the importance of brotherly love among Christians. He praises the Thessalonians for their love but encourages them to grow even more in this area. Paul also gives practical advice about living quietly, working hard, and minding one’s own business. Living this way brings honor to God and respect from others.v. 9: Paul commends the Thessalonians for their love for each other. He says, You yourselves are taught of God to love one another . True Christian love comes from God’s teaching, not just from human effort. When people truly love, it shows that God is working in their hearts. This kind of love is a sign that someone belongs to Jesus. v. 10: Paul notes that their love is not just for local believers, but for all Christians in Macedonia. And indeed you do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia (1 Thessalonians 4:10 k). He urges them to keep increasing in love, because no one is perfect in this. Even those who are strong in love should pray and work for more. We can always grow in love for others. v. 11: Paul gives advice for daily living: And that you study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands (1 Thessalonians 4:11 l). Christians should work hard, avoid unnecessary conflict, and not meddle in other people’s matters. Living quietly and working honestly helps bring peace to our lives and those around us. It also shows a good example to others. v. 12: Paul explains the benefits of this way of life: That you may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that you may have lack of nothing (1 Thessalonians 4:12 m). When Christians live quietly and work hard, people outside the church will respect them. Also, they will be able to take care of their own needs and not be a burden to others. State of Departed Saints.In this section, Paul comforts the Thessalonians who are grieving for friends and family who have died as believers. He wants them to understand what happens to Christians after death so that they will not be overcome by sadness. Paul explains that Christian hope, based on Jesus’ resurrection, gives us comfort about those who have died in the Lord.v. 13: Paul tells them not to grieve in the same way as those who have no hope. I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13 n). Christians are allowed to feel sad, but their sorrow should not be hopeless. Because they believe in eternal life, their hope is much greater than their grief. v. 14: Paul explains that believers who have died are “asleep in Jesus.” Even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him (1 Thessalonians 4:14 o). Death is not the end, but a peaceful rest for believers. Their souls are safe with Jesus, and their bodies are under his care. When Jesus returns, God will bring these believers with him. Our hope is sure because we believe that Jesus died and rose again (1 Thessalonians 4:14; 1 Corinthians 15:18, 20 p). v. 15: Paul shares a special teaching from Jesus: For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep . This means that those who are alive when Jesus returns will not go ahead of those who have died. The resurrection of believers will happen first. v. 16: He describes the return of Jesus: The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first (1 Thessalonians 4:16 q). Jesus will come with power and glory. The dead believers will be raised from the grave before anything else happens to the living believers. v. 17: After the dead in Christ are raised, believers who are still alive will be changed and taken up to meet Jesus: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:17 r). Both the risen and the living saints will be together forever with Jesus. This is the greatest happiness for believers—to be with the Lord always. v. 18: Paul encourages the Thessalonians to comfort each other with this hope: Wherefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18 s). The promise of resurrection and reunion with Jesus helps Christians in times of sorrow. We should remind each other of this hope and use it to support one another when we face loss.
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