*1 Thessalonians 4:1-18
Paul encourages the Thessalonians to live holy lives, consoles them about those who have died in Christ, and assures them of their future reunion with the Lord.
- Exhortations to Live a Holy Life:
- Paul urges the Thessalonians to live in a way that pleases God, as they have been taught by him and his associates.
- He emphasizes the importance of continuing to grow in this lifestyle, focusing particularly on sanctification.
- Call to Avoid Sexual Immorality:
- Specifically, Paul instructs them to abstain from sexual immorality, controlling their own bodies in holiness and honor, not in passionate lust.
- He warns against wronging or taking advantage of a brother in this matter, reminding them that God has called them to holiness and will punish such sins.
- Encouragement to Love and Work:
- Paul commends the Thessalonians for their brotherly love but encourages them to love each other more fervently and to do so more and more.
- He advises them to lead a quiet life, to mind their own business, and to work with their hands, as he had instructed them, so that they may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
- Teaching on the Return of Christ:
- Addressing concerns about those who have died before Christ’s return, Paul reassures them that the dead in Christ will not be at a disadvantage.
- He describes the Lord’s return: Jesus will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel’s voice, and with the sound of God’s trumpet.
- Resurrection and Rapture:
- At Jesus’ return, the dead in Christ will rise first.
- Those who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so they will always be with the Lord.
- Comforting Each Other:
- Paul concludes by encouraging the Thessalonians to comfort one another with these words regarding the future resurrection and reunion with departed believers.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-18 teaches us to live in a way that pleases God by making good choices, loving others, and staying hopeful about Jesus’ return. It reminds us that our actions matter and that we should live with honesty and kindness. This passage also gives us comfort, knowing that one day we will be with Jesus forever. We can apply this by striving to do what is right, caring for others, and finding peace in the hope that God has a wonderful future prepared for us.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-18 (WEB)
4:1 Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you abound more and more. 2 For you know what instructions 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 one of you know how to control his own body in sanctification and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don’t know God, 6 that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter; because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. 7 For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. 8 Therefore he who rejects this doesn’t reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.9 But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another, 10 for indeed you do it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you abound more and more; 11 and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.13 But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like 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 tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will in no way 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 God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, 17 then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.