First Epistle of Thessalonians chapter 4
4:1 Furthermore (Greek loipos) marks a key transition in the book. Here Paul introduces his exhortation on practical
Christian living.
4:2 Commandments we gave you: Paul appeals to his apostolic authority, speaking as a representative of the Lord
Jesus.
4:3 Sanctification (holiness): The New Testament delineates three kinds of holiness: (1) positional holiness (1
Corinthians 6:11); (2) progressive holiness (Romans 6:12-23); and (3) perfected holiness (3:13). The second kind is
in view here. Fornication (Greek porneia) means any form of sexual impurity.
4:4 This verse can be read, "that each of you know how to control his own vessel [i.e, body] in holiness and honor."
Some believe vessel refers to one's wife. The verse would then advocate maintaining proper sexual relations with her
to avert immorality.
4:6 Go beyond means overstep this moral law. Defraud means literally "take advantage of," "rob," or "cheat." In any
matter (or, "in this matter") refers to the sexual misconduct deplored in the previous verses. It could refer to infidelity
to one's spouse, or to an unmarried person committing adultery.
4:8 Despiseth: Paul's language here seems to echo Jesus' words in Luke 10:16.
4:11 Study literally means "aspire" or "determine." Work with your own hands: This and 2 Thessalonians 3:11 suggest
that some believers had abandoned their occupations, believing Christ's second coming was near at hand.
4:12 Lack of nothing: The biblical means of supplying one's needs is to work. Verses 11 and 12 are important for the
Christian work ethic.
4:13 I would not have you to be ignorant is simply Paul's way of saying, "I have something I want to tell you" (Romans
1:13; 11:25; 1 Corinthians 10:1; 2 Corinthians 1:8). Asleep is a euphemism for "dead". It is used often of believers in
the New Testament (Matthew 27:52; Acts 7:60; 1 Corinthians 15:20). That ye sorrow not is in the present tense: "So
you will not continue to grieve." Apparently these believers were concerned about their loved ones who had died in
the Lord, especially in view of Christ's promised second coming (verses 14, 15). Hope (Greek elpis) means "certain
expectation."
4:14 Jesus died and rose again: The certainty of the believer's hope is based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1
Corinthians 15:20-23). Bring: This presupposes that those who sleep in Jesus are with Him, and when He comes they
will come with Him. Them also which sleep in Jesus can be translated, "those who were put to sleep by Jesus." As a
parent lovingly puts a child to bed when tired, so Jesus just as lovingly takes His saints from this life ("were put to
sleep") at the right time.
4:15 Prevent (Greek phthano, "precede"): The Greek emphasizes that the living will have the no advantage over the
dead when Christ returns.
4:16, 17 The order of events at the time of Christ's coming is clearly given: (1) the Lord will descend with a shout,
accompanied by the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God (1 Corinthians 15:52); (2) the dead in Christ will be
resurrected; and (3) then those remaining will caught up with them in the clouds. Dead in Christ is technical
expression for believers of the church age. Caught up (Greek harpazo, "to seize,"snatch"): The Latin word for carry
off is raptus, from which we get rapture. The doctrine of the Rapture of the church is given its clearest expression in
this verse.
4:18 Comfort: The Christian's hope of resurrection brings solace in the face of death--in contrast to the hopelessness
of the heathen.
First Epistle of Thessalonians chapter 5
5:1 Times (Greek chronos) denotes "periods of time" as opposed to seasons (Greek kairos), which are specific points
of time.
5:2 The day of the Lord is an all-encompassing term to describe the period that begins with the Great Tribulation, and
includes the second coming of Christ and the millenial kingdom. This Old Testament expression is here identified with
the parousia already introduced. It will begin unexpectedly (Matthew 24:37).
5:3 Peace and safety were slogans of the Roman Empire.
5:4-9 But ye: In contrast to the wicked, for whom Christ's coming will be an hour of destruction, these believers are
children of light who will not face God's wrath, but will be saved at the time of the parousia. Not appointed us to wrath:
The wrath is the agony and tribulation occurring at the beginning of the day of the Lord. The believer is spared this,
however (1:10; Revelation 6:16).
5:12 Are over you indicates a governing leadership, and refers to spiritual leadership such as elders and pastors. The
people are to respect and regard them highly for their labor of love.
5:17 The Greek word here rendered without ceasing is used in secular literature to denote a man suffering from an
intermittent cough--one that is not continuous, but occurs at intervals. Just as this individual has the tendency to
cough, though does not always do so audibly, so the believer ought to remain in the attitude of prayer though not
always praying audibly.
5:18 In every event or circumstance (thing) the Christian is to give thanks to God for the good He can bring out of the
event, even should the event be unpleasant. The constant attitude of prayer, mentioned in verse 17, will help the
believer to maintain gratitude in the face of adversity.
5:19 Quench means putting out fire in Matthew 12:20, Ephesians 6:16, and Hebrews 11:34. Here it is employed
metaphorically to mean "stifle" or "suppress." The Christian can stifle the Holy Spirit's workings by hindering Him from
leading the believer to rejoice (verse 16), to pray (verse 17), to give thanks in adversity (verse 18), and by despising
prophetic utterances (verse 20) inspired by the Spirit.
5:23 This verse does not form a definition of the constituent parts of man, but is a Hebraism to denote the whole man.
5:26 The holy kiss was a Jewish custom of welcome. (See Luke 7:45; 22:48.) It was also used by the early Christians
(Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Peter 5:14).