4:1 please (e-29) I do not say 'to please,' because then pleasing God would be a distinct object. Here it is rather 'to walk so as to please.' The point is, the ' how ,' that is, the manner of doing it, not that it ought to be an object, however true that may be. read more
Exhortation to Purity and Brotherly Love. The Second Advent1. ’You are already walking in the right path. I want you to advance in it more and more.’3, 4. Translate, ’For this is a thing willed by God, even your sanctification, that ye shall abstain from fornication (cp. Acts 15:20), that each one of you should learn to win his body to a state of purity and honour.’ Vessel] i.e. body. Some think the word means ’wife,’ but this is not so likely. 5. Lust of concupiscence] RV ’passion of lust.’6.... read more
IV.(1) We now approach the practical portion of the Epistle. The first point on which the Thessalonians need instruction is in the matter of social purity (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8).Furthermore hardly expresses the original. St. Paul is not adding a further injunction, for he has as yet given none. It is literally, For the rest, then; and serves to introduce the conclusion of the letter.Beseech.—The marginal request is better, the word being one of calm and friendly asking, implying that the... read more
The True End of Man 1 Thessalonians 4:3 The will of God called all things into being, and conserves all things in existence by its power. And the message to our fainting souls today, is that this Almighty will is on our side in the great battle with evil; that this will is concerned in our salvation. I. Before we proceed to a further consideration of the text, there are two words in it which we must examine carefully. The words 'will' and 'sanctification'. To take the latter first, what... read more
Chapter 9PERSONAL PURITY1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 (R.V.)THE "finally" with which this chapter opens is the beginning of the end of the Epistle. The personal matter which has hitherto occupied us was the immediate cause of the Apostle’s writing; he wished to open his heart to the Thessalonians, and to vindicate his conduct against the insidious accusations of his enemies; and having done so, his main purpose is fulfilled. For what remains-this is the meaning of "finally"-he has a few words to say... read more
IV. THE SEPARATED WALK AND THE BLESSED HOPE CHAPTER 4 1. The separated walk 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 ) 2. The coming of the Lord for His saints 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ) 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 “Furthermore, then, brethren, we beg you and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, even as ye received from us, how ye ought to walk and please God, even as ye also do walk, that ye would abound still more. For ye know what charges we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your... read more
4:1 Furthermore {1} then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort [you] by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, [so] ye would {a} abound more and more.(1) Various exhortations, the foundation of which is this, to be mindful of those things which they have heard from the apostle.(a) That you labour to excel more and more, and daily surpass yourselves. read more
The end of Chapter 3 has encouraged their abounding love. Here the apostle adds to this the entreaty that they abound in obedience. No amount of love can make up for a disobedient walk, for love and obedience necessarily go together. A child's love for its parent is only convincing where there is an obedient character. They had seen consistent Christianity in the example of the servants of God and had received godly instruction by word of mouth. This had already taken good effect, but we must... read more
HORTATORY AND INSTRUCTIVE Timothy reported some things that called for exhortation and instruction. In the first place, fornication was indulged in by some who had no proper understanding of its sinfulness (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 ). This inconsistency is probably explained by the circumstance that the church was composed of Gentiles chiefly, rather than Jews. (See Acts 17:0 and compare such passages in the epistle as 1 Thessalonians 1:9 .) Paganism, out of which they came, knew not the... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Thessalonians 4:1-24
III. PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS AND EXHORTATIONS 4:1-5:24The second major part of this epistle contains instructions and exhortations about Christian living in general, the Rapture, personal watchfulness, church life, and individual behavior. All of this is vital for believers who are undergoing opposition for their faith. read more