1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:7

For God hath not called us ,.... The Syriac version reads "you". This is another reason to enforce the above exhortations, and to caution them against the above unclean practices, taken from the end of the effectual calling by the efficacious grace of God, which is not unto uncleanness of any sort, as before specified. This they had lived in before their calling, and were now called from it into communion with Christ, who loves righteousness, and hates iniquity; and by the Gospel, which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:8

He therefore that despiseth ,.... The Vulgate Latin adds, "these things"; these exhortations now delivered, the commandments given by the Lord Jesus Christ, and the will of God above declared; he that rejects these things with contempt, takes no notice of them, and acts not according to them, despiseth not man ; not men only, the apostles of Christ, and ministers of the Gospel; for, by despising these exhortations, they themselves were despised, though not alone: but God; Father, Son,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:9

But as touching brotherly love ,.... Another branch of sanctification; which is distinct from love to God and Christ, though it always accompanies it, and from love to all mankind; and is what is peculiar to brethren in a spiritual relation, and ought to be universal, fervent, and sincere, and as Christ has loved them: concerning which the following things are said, ye need not that I write unto you . The Vulgate Latin version reads, "we have no need to write unto you"; and so some... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:10

And indeed ye do it towards all the brethren ,.... Whether high or low, rich or poor, bond or free, greater or lesser believers, and whether related in the bonds of nature or not; they exercised this grace of love without respect of persons, to all, and not only to all the brethren in the particular community at Thessalonica, but which are in all Macedonia ; throughout the whole country, particularly at Philippi and Berea, and other places: but we beseech you, brethren . The... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:11

And that ye study to be quiet ,.... To live peaceably in their own families, and to give no disturbance to other families, by talebearing, whispering, and backbiting; to behave with quietness in the neighbourhood, town, or city, they dwell in, and to seek the peace thereof; and to lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty, in the commonwealth, and under the government to which they belong; and not to create and encourage factions, divisions, animosities, and contentions,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:12

That ye may walk honestly ,.... Decently, in good credit and reputation, providing things honest in the sight of all men, for themselves and families, and honestly paying every man his own; on which account it became them to mind their own business, and work at their trades; otherwise their walk and conversation would be scandalous, and not honest and honourable: toward them that are without : the men of the world, who were without the church; see 1 Corinthians 5:12 profane sinners,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 4:1

We beseech you, brethren, and exhort - We give you proper instructions in heavenly things, and request you to attend to our advice. The apostle used the most pressing entreaties; for he had a strong and affectionate desire that this Church should excel in all righteousness and true holiness. Please God more and more - God sets no bounds to the communications of his grace and Spirit to them that are faithful. And as there are no bounds to the graces, so there should be none to the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 4:2

Ye know what commandments we gave you - This refers to his instructions while he was among them; and to instructions on particular subjects, which he does not recapitulate, but only hints at. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 4:3

This is the will of God, even your sanctification - God has called you to holiness; he requires that you should be holy; for without holiness none can see the Lord. This is the general calling, but in it many particulars are included. Some of these he proceeds to mention; and it is very likely that these had been points on which he gave them particular instructions while among them. That ye should abstain from fornication - The word πορνεια , as we have seen in other places, includes... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 4:4

How to possess his vessel - Let every man use his wife for the purpose alone for which God created her, and instituted marriage. The word σκευος answers to the Hebrew כלי keli , which, though it signifies vessel in general, has several other meanings. That the rabbins frequently express wife by it, Schoettgen largely proves; and to me it appears very probable that the apostle uses it in that sense here. St. Peter calls the wife the weaker Vessel, 1 Peter 3:7 . Others think that the... read more

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