1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 4:1 Instruction and Exhortation. Paul gives instructions on pleasing God (1 Thessalonians 4:1), the second coming (1 Thessalonians 4:13), community conduct (1 Thessalonians 5:12), and prayer and assurance (1 Thessalonians 5:23).... [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 4:2 INSTRUCTIONS. Originally a military word, it usually conveys authoritative commands. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 4:3 THAT YOU ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY. For former pagans, the lure of sexual sins was strong (see 1 Corinthians 5:1). Paul forbids any sexual activity outside of heterosexual marriage (see Ephesians 5:3; 1 Peter 1:15). ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 4:4 CONTROL HIS OWN BODY. The Greek could be translated “take a wife for himself” (see esv footnote). However, in view of vv. 1 Thessalonians 4:4 and 1 Corinthians 7:1, sexual self-control is more likely the intended meaning. ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 4:5 IN THE PASSION OF LUST LIKE THE GENTILES. See Romans 1:24. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 4:6 WRONG. Taking advantage of a fellow Christian through sexual sin. THE LORD IS AN AVENGER. Those who ignore the Christian sexual ethic will face Jesus’ wrath. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 4:8 THEREFORE. In view of v. 1 Thessalonians 4:7, to reject Paul’s teaching on sex is to reject God, the source of Paul’s instruction. WHO GIVES HIS HOLY SPIRIT TO YOU. In the OT (e.g., Ezekiel 36:26), God promised a new covenant in which the Holy Spirit would... [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 4:9 TAUGHT BY GOD TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. See Jeremiah 31:33. By love, Christians fulfill the law (Romans 13:8; compare Leviticus 19:18; John 13:34). ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 4:11 LIVE QUIETLY. Live peacefully with others (see 2 Thessalonians 3:11) instead of interfering in others’ affairs. WORK WITH YOUR HANDS. Earn their own living instead of being supported by wealthier Christians. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagNa... [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 4:12 WALK PROPERLY BEFORE OUTSIDERS. For some Christians to be shamelessly exploiting the charity of wealthier Christians would have brought disgrace on the gospel they claimed to believe. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0,... [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13 Paul answers the Thessalonians’ questions about Christians who die before Jesus returns. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 4:14 ROSE AGAIN. Christ’s resurrection is the center of God’s plan for history. It is the believer’s basis for hope in the future resurrection of the body (1 Corinthians 15:42). THROUGH JESUS, GOD WILL BRING. Jesus will “bring” deceased Christians with him at... [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 4:15 WE WHO ARE ALIVE does not mean Paul believed that he would be alive at the second coming. It means all Christians should be prepared for Christ to return during their lifetime. WHO ARE LEFT. Still alive. WILL NOT PRECEDE THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP. It i... [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 4:16 CRY OF COMMAND... VOICE OF AN ARCHANGEL... TRUMPET OF GOD. The three noises summon the dead. The only “archangel” identified in the Bible is Michael (Jude 1:9). Trumpets in the OT proclaimed the Lord’s presence (Exodus 19:16; Psalms 47:5). In Jewish tradi... [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 4:18 Understanding about the Lord’s return should bring comfort and encouragement, not fear and division. THESE WORDS refers to vv. 1 Thessalonians 4:13. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]