1Th 4:9-12 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Thess 4:9-5:11: 4:9–5:11 Paul responds to a series of questions from the Thessalonians (cp. 1 Cor 7:1 ) concerning love for one another (1 Thes 4:9-12 ), the destiny of deceased believers (4:13-18 ), and when the day of the Lord would come (5:1-11 ). 4:9 God himself has taught you to love one another (cp. Isa 54:13 ) through the teaching of Jesus (John 13:34-35 ), the cross (Rom 5:8 ; Eph 5:1-2 ), and the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5 ; Gal 5:22 ).

Summary for 1Thess 4:9-5:11: 4:9–5:11 ^a Paul responds to a series of questions from the Thessalonians (cp. 1 Cor 7:1 ^b) concerning love for one another (1 Thes 4:9-12 ^c), the destiny of deceased believers (4:13-18 ^d), and when the day of the Lord would come (5:1-11 ^e). 4:9 ^f God himself has taught you to love one another (cp. Isa 54:13 ^g) through the teaching of Jesus (John 13:34-35 ^h), the cross (Rom 5:8 ⁱ; Eph 5:1-2 ^j), and the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5 ^k; Gal 5:22 ^l).
4:10 ^m The Thessalonian believers demonstrated love toward all the believers in the province of Macedonia (Philippi and Berea; see also 1:7-8 ⁿ) through economic aid (cp. 2 Cor 8:1-5 ^o).
4:11 ^p To live a quiet life is to be respectable and not cause problems in the community.

• working with your hands: Paul had previously instructed through his teaching (see 2 Thes 3:10 ^q) and personal example (2 Thes 3:7-9 ^r) that they should earn their own living.
4:12 ^s Self-sufficiency and decorum would win the recognition and respect of people who are not believers (see Rom 13:13 ^t; 1 Cor 5:12-13 ^u; Col 4:5 ^v).