1 Thessalonians 4:2 - Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Bible Study & Commentary

Verse 2

For ye know what charge we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

Through the Lord Jesus ... This is best understood as a variant of Paul's famed "in the Lord Jesus." See under preceding verse. Inherent is the truth that Paul's instructions had been those of the Lord himself. As Moffatt said:

The apostles gave their orders on the authority of their commission and revelation from the Lord whom they interpret to his followers .... This appealed to the saying of Jesus which formed a part of "the unwritten sayings." Thus 8a (below) is an echo of the saying preserved in Luke 10:16.[4]

What charge we gave you ... All of the commentators agree that the words here have a military ring, meaning "the orders we gave you," thus accounting for the variation "through the Lord Jesus." Paul was making it clear that his orders were actually those of the Lord, a fact further emphasized by the use of the great Old Testament word for "Lord." As Hubbard put it, "Paul's commandments were stamped with the authority of Jesus, who is Lord, the exalted Ruler of Life."[5]

[4] James Moffatt, The Expositor's Greek Testament, Vol. IV (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1967), p. 33.

[5] David A. Hubbard, Wycliffe New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1971), p. 816.

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible

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James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible

James Burton Coffman was a prolific author, preacher, teacher and leader among churches of Christ in the 20th century.He was born May 24, 1905, in Taylor County to pioneer West Texans "so far out in the country it took two days to go to town and back." He became a Christian in 1923. In Texas, Coffman graduated from Abilene High School and enrolled in Abilene Christian College (now University), graduating in 1927 with a B.A. in history and music.After earning his degree, Coffman served as a high school principal for two years in Callahan County, then taught history and English at Abilene High School.In 1930, he was offered a position as associate minister and song leader in Wichita Falls, the beginning of his career as a minister. Then, he married Thelma "Sissy" Bradford in 1931. Coffman preached for congregations in Texas; Oklahoma; Washington, D.C.; and New York City. In his lifetime, Coffman received 3 honorary doctorates.While in Washington, he was offered the opportunity to serve as guest chaplain for the U.S. Armed Forces in Japan and Korea and served 90 days, holding Gospel meetings throughout both countries.Coffman conducted hundreds of gospel meetings throughout the U.S. and, at one count, baptized more than 3,000 souls.Retiring in 1971, he returned to Houston. One of his most notable accomplishments was writing a 37-volume commentary of the entire Bible, verse by verse, which was finished in 1992. This commentary is being sold all over the world. Many people consider the Coffman series to be one of the finest modern, conservative commentary sets written.Coffman's conservative interpretations affirm the inerrancy of the Bible and clearly point readers toward Scripture as the final basis for Christian belief and practice. This series was written with the thorough care of a research scholar, yet it is easy to read. The series includes every book of the Old and New Testaments.After being married to Sissy for 64 years, she passed away. Coffman then married June Bristow Coffman. James Burton Coffman died on Friday, June 30, 2006, at the age of 101.... Show more

One of the leading authorities in the Church of Christ, Dr. Coffman presents a verse by verse look at God's Word.... Show more

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