1 Thessalonians 4:2-7 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Here we have, I. An exhortation to abound in holiness, to abound more and more in that which is good, 1 Thess. 4:1, 2. We may observe, 1. The manner in which the exhortation is given?very affectionately. The apostle entreats them as brethren; he calls them so, and loved them as such. Because his love to them was very great, he exhorts them very earnestly: We beseech and exhort you. The apostle was unwilling to take any denial, and therefore repeats his exhortation again and again. 2. The... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

4:1-8 Finally then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that, as you have received instructions from us as to how you must behave to please God, even so you do behave, that you may go on from more to more. For you know what orders we gave you through the Lord Jesus; for this is God's will for you, that you should live consecrated lives, I mean, that you should keep yourselves from fornication, that each of you should know how to possess his own body in consecration and in honour,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:2

For ye know what commandments we gave you ,.... When among them; such as those of faith and love, the ordinances of the Gospel, baptism, and the Lord's supper, and all such as relate to the worship and service of God, to the discipline of Christ's house, to their behaviour one towards another, and their conduct in the world: and which were delivered to them, not as from themselves, and by their own authority, but by the Lord Jesus ; in his name, and by his authority, and as ordered by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:3

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification ,.... Which is another reason to enforce the above exhortation. "Sanctification" is internal or external. Internal sanctification is the work of the Spirit of God, and is a principle of spiritual life in the soul, a divine and spiritual light in the understanding, a flexion of the will to the will of God, and a settlement of the affections on divine things, and is an implantation of every grace in the heart. External sanctification arises... read more

John Gill

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

That everyone of you should know how to possess his vessel ,.... By which may be meant, either a man's wife, or his body, and it is not very easy to determine which, for the Jews call both by this name. Sometimes they call F16 T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol 22. 2. a woman גולם , which the gloss says is a "vessel" unfinished. It is reported F17 Juchasin, fol. 48. 2. Shalsheleth Hakkabala, fol. 23. 1. , that when R. Eleazar died, Rabbenu Hakkadosh would have married his widow, and she... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:5

Not in the lust of concupiscence ,.... Or "passion of lust"; for the mere gratifying and indulging of that; for a man so to possess his vessel, is to cherish the sin of concupiscence, the first motions of sin in the heart, by which a man is drawn away, and enticed; to blow up the flame of lust, and to make provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof: even as the Gentiles which know not God ; for, though they knew him, or might know him with a natural knowledge, by the light and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:6

That no man go beyond, and defraud his brother in any matter ,.... Or "in this matter", as the Syriac version. This is commonly understood of transgressing the bounds of justice and equity between men and men; and of cheating and defrauding in trade and business, by increasing or lessening the value and prices of goods by the buyer and seller, by not keeping to the bargain, contract, covenant, or sample, by false weights and measures, and by taking the advantage of the weakness and ignorance... read more

John Gill

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

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:3

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:6

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

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

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

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