1 Thessalonians

4.1-18

The testimony Paul is extending to the Thessalonians has a specific emphasis for us today. Even when we are commended for doing right, we should remain focused on the task of striving for the higher call of perfection to attain purity and holiness. Paul and Peter agreed on this as he also cites the Old Testament scriptures in 1 Peter 1:16. "for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy." This is what God commands, "For I am Yahweh your God. Therefore, set yourselves apart as holy and be holy, for I am holy..." (Leviticus 11:44, 19:2, 20:7). Paul commends them saying "just as you actually do," and "you do practice it," regarding how they please God, and love their fellow Christians, but twice follows that with "excel still more."
Beloved, do not be tempted to think you have attained a standing with God or man that should rest or receive praise. Receive knowledge that if anything good has come by your hand, it is by God's permission and He who has worked through you. Be encouraged in this - His will is that you EXCEL STILL MORE; and that we have hope for the day "the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord." (vv.16-17)

CHAPTER 4

Sanctification and Love

1 Finally then, brothers, we ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.
2 For you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God;
6 and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you.
7 For God did not call us to impurity, but in sanctification.
8 Consequently, he who sets this aside is not setting aside man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.
9 Now concerning love of the brothers, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another,
10 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to excel still more,
11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,
12 so that you will walk properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.

The Dead in Christ Will Rise

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.