1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 Lesson 394

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Lesson 394

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

Live to please God.

Immorality (4:1-8).

Brotherly love (4:9-10).

With the opening greeting and personal messages over, Paul now begins teaching and encouraging.
These teachings run through the end of 1 Thessalonians (lesson 396).

Because they touch on the resurrection, final judgment, the eternal fate of mankind, and other subjects not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible, many scholars consider chapters four and five of 1 Thessalonians the two most important in the New Testament.

Map showing Thessalonica in Macedonia.

What is -

Sanctification -
To be sanctified is to be blessed and strive to be like Jesus. Sanctification is the change God makes in a believer. This change separates them from the secular and sinful and connects them to the spiritual. It sets them apart for a holy purpose (2 Timothy 2:21). Being sanctified makes a person worthy of spending eternity with God (Leviticus 11:45; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Peter 1:16). Christians are sanctified, not because they are perfect, but because of their relationship with Christ.

Study Tip:

Write down important Bible verses, memorize them, and ponder their meaning.
Build a list of your favorite verses.

The First Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Thessalonians

The King James Bible

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Love one another

1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;

11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

Margin notes:

"We beseech you." (4:1) - "We beg you."

"Ye know what commandments we gave you." (4:2) - "You know what instructions we gave you." Paul gave these instructions during his first visit to Thessalonica.

"Abstain from fornication." (4:3) - "Abstain from sexual immorality."

"Every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour." (4:4) - "Everyone of you should know how to control your body in holiness and honor.'

"Not in the lust of concupiscence." (4:5) - "Not in the lust of passion."

"The Lord is the avenger of all such." (4:6) - God will punish sinners (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 2:5-19; Hebrews 10:30-31). See also "Today's Question" below.

"He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God." (4:8) - "He who rejects (this teaching), doesn't reject man, but God." Paul is paraphrasing Jesus in Luke 10:16. For some, it is easy to reject God's word since they hear it from people, but never forget it is still God's word.

"Touching brotherly love." (4:9) - "Concerning brotherly love."

"Ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another." (4:9) - See Jeremiah 31:33-34; John 6:45; 1 John 2:27.

"Macedonia." (4:10) - Macedonia was a Roman province in modern-day northern Greece. It lay on the Aegean Sea north of the Achaia province and became part of the Roman empire in 168 BC. This important province included the cities of Thessalonica, Philippi, Thessaly, Amphipolis, Apollonia, Neapolis, Berea, Illyricum, Epirus, and Ephesus. Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece and the so-called home of Zeus and other pagan gods, is also in Macedonia. Paul visited Macedonia twice, once during his second missionary journey and again in Acts 20:1-6. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians in Macedonia at the end of his three-year stay in Ephesus.

"Increase more and more." (4:10) - "Love more and more." Paul is reinforcing this teaching from verse 3:12.

"Study to be quiet." (4:11) - Try to live a peaceful, serene life. Practice being calm.

"Walk honestly toward them that are without." (4:12) - "Be honest with unbelievers." By being an honest and positive influence to non-believers, you set a good example and inspire them to consider Christ. See also Colossians 4:5-6 and 1 Timothy 3:7.

New Living Translation

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Live to Please God

1 Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more.

2 For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

3 God's will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.

4 Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor-

5 not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.

6 Never harm or cheat a Christian brother in this matter by violating his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before.

7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.

8 Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

9 But we don't need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another.

10 Indeed, you already show your love for all the believers throughout Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more.

11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.

12 Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's question:

1. Does God punish or forgive Christians who sin? (4:6)

Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. "Punishment is for those who reject God's ways. It is true that God disciplines those whom he loves (Hebrews 12:6), but discipline is different from punishment. Punishment focuses on justice and the past; discipline focuses on the person and the future. Nevertheless, when someone violates God's principles, there will be consequences even for those who are forgiven."

"God disciplines in many ways, sometimes to train or prepare us for his ways, sometimes to punish us for unfaithfulness. He can use sinful people as instruments of discipline (Hebrews 12:3), our own inner struggles against sin (Hebrews 12:4) or personal hardships (Hebrews 12:7). Occasionally discipline may come in the broader context of physical suffering (Hebrews 11:35-38). Israel suffered 40 years in the desert (Numbers 14:34); Paul received a thorn in {his} flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7). Whatever form discipline takes, it is always for our benefit."

(The "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; pages 1698 and 1738)

Application thought for the day:

Just as in Paul's day, sexual immorality is a powerful temptation.
Are there changes in your life, your relationships, your habits that you need to make?
Are you living up to God's plan?

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2022 evolke

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