The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
1Th 1:1a Silvanus 2 Cor. 1:19; 1 Pet. 5:12
1Th 1:1b Timothy 1 Thes. 3:2, 6; 1 Tim. 1:2
1Th 1:11c church 2 Thes. 1:1; cf. 2 Cor. 8:1
This Epistle and 2 Thessalonians were addressed to the local church in Thessalonica, composed of all the believers in Christ in that city. Such a local church is of the believers and is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This indicates that a local church is born of God the Father with His life and nature and is united with the Lord Jesus Christ organically in all that He is and has done. Hence, it is of men (such as the Thessalonians), yet is in God and in the Lord organically. This organic union in the divine life and nature is the vital base for the believers to live a holy life for the church life. Such a living is the theme of the two Epistles.
1Th 1:12 Thessalonians
Thessalonica was a city of the Roman Empire, in the province of Macedonia, which was north of the province of Achaia. It was the next city the apostle Paul and his co-worker Silvanus visited after Philippi, after the Macedonian call he received on his second ministry journey (Acts 16:9-12; 17:1-4). The apostle stayed and worked in Thessalonica for only a short time, probably less than one month (Acts 17:2).
1Th 1:13 God
In this chapter the Triune God is revealed in His triune work upon us—the Father selected us (vv. 1, 3-4), the Son delivers us (v. 10), and the Holy Spirit propagates, imparts, and transmits the Triune God into us (vv. 5-6). Such a triune work is for our enjoyment of His salvation.
1Th 1:1d Grace Rom. 1:7; Eph. 1:2
1Th 1:2a thank 1 Thes. 2:13; 3:9; 2 Thes. 1:3; 2:13; Rom. 1:8; Eph. 1:16
1Th 1:2b mention Rom. 1:9; Eph. 1:16
1Th 1:31 work
The Greek word denotes acts, actions, activities.
1Th 1:32a faith 1 Thes. 1:8; 3:2, 5, 6, 7, 10; 5:8; 2 Thes. 1:3, 4, 11; 3:2; 1 Cor. 13:13; Gal. 5:6; Col. 1:4; 1 Tim. 1:14; Eph. 6:23; James 2:22
[ par. 1 2 3 ]
1Th 1:32 [1] Here faith indicates the nature and strength of the work; love, the motivation for and characteristic of labor; and hope, the source of endurance. These depict the structure of the genuine Christian life, a life constructed with faith, love, and hope (see note 131 in 1 Cor. 13). Such a life originates not from the ability of the believers’ natural being but from the infusion of what God, in whom they believe, is. It is carried out by their sacrificial love toward their loving Lord, who loved them and gave Himself for them, and toward His members, whom He has redeemed through His death in love. This life lasts and stands unchanging by the sustaining power of the hope in which the believers look for their beloved Lord, who promised that He would come to take them to Himself. Such a life is the content of this Epistle.
1Th 1:32 [2] How marvelous that the Thessalonian believers could live such a life through the apostle’s short ministry of less than one month! This encourages us to preach the complete gospel to typical unbelievers in full assurance of faith, and to minister the deeper truths concerning the Christian life to new converts.
1Th 1:32 [3] In the two Epistles to the young church in Thessalonica, the genuine Christian life for the proper church life is revealed in a simple and brief way. It is a life of three dimensions in the light of the Lord’s coming back, having faith as the beginning, the foundation, love as the process, the construction, and hope as the consummation, the completion. Faith is toward God (v. 8), love is toward the saints (3:12; 4:9-10), and hope is in the Lord’s coming (2:19). The first Epistle is for encouragement and comfort; the second is for correction and balance. The believers should live, walk, and work by faith and love in the hope of the Lord’s coming back; but they should not have the erroneous concept that the Lord will come immediately and, thus, that they need not make any long-range plans. The apostle Paul’s writings concerning the Christian life for the church life begin with the book of Romans and conclude with these two Epistles.
1Th 1:33 labor
Or, toil, endeavoring, striving, working.
1Th 1:3b love 1 Thes. 3:6, 12; 4:9; 5:8, 13; 2 Thes. 3:5
1Th 1:34 endurance
I.e., endurance issuing from hoping in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Th 1:3c hope 1 Thes. 2:19; 4:13; 5:8; 2 Thes. 2:16; Rom. 5:4; 8:24-25; 15:4
1Th 1:4a beloved 2 Thes. 2:13
1Th 1:41b selection 2 Thes. 2:13; 2 Pet. 1:10; Eph. 1:4
God’s choosing before the foundation of the world for His eternal purpose (Eph. 1:4). The apostles knew that the brothers, beloved of God, were chosen by God in such a manner for the fulfillment of His heart’s desire.
1Th 1:5a gospel 2 Thes. 2:14
1Th 1:5b power 1 Cor. 2:4; 4:20
1Th 1:51d what Acts 20:18
The apostles not only preached the gospel; they lived it. Their ministering of the gospel was not only by word but also by a life that displayed the power of God, a life in the Holy Spirit and in the assurance of their faith. They were the pattern of the glad tidings that they spread.
1Th 1:61a imitators 2 Thes. 3:7, 9; 1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1; Phil. 3:17; cf. 1 Thes. 2:14
Since the preachers were the pattern of the gospel, the believers became imitators of them. This, then, led the believers to follow the Lord, to take Him as their pattern (Matt. 11:29).
1Th 1:62 word
The word preached by Paul was the embodiment of the Triune God, conveying and transmitting Him—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—into the believers in Christ. This word as the divine gospel was received by the Thessalonians, who were typical Gentile unbelievers.
1Th 1:6b joy Rom. 14:17; Acts 13:52; Gal. 5:22
1Th 1:6c Holy 1 Thes. 4:8
1Th 1:71a pattern cf. 2 Thes. 3:9; 1 Tim. 1:16
The imitators of the apostles (v. 6) became a pattern to all other believers.
1Th 1:7b Macedonia 1 Thes. 4:10; 2 Cor. 8:1; 11:9
1Th 1:7c Achaia Acts 18:27; 2 Cor. 9:2; 11:10
1Th 1:81a faith Rom. 1:8
This means that the believers’ faith toward God sounded out together with the word of the Lord. Not only the Lord’s objective word but also the believers’ subjective faith went out.
1Th 1:91 what
Implying a receptive welcome.
1Th 1:92a turned Acts 14:15
To turn to God from the idols, to serve a living and true God, and to await His Son from the heavens are the three basic substances of the Christian life as viewed from another angle. To turn to God from the idols is to turn away not only from the false gods, together with the devil and the demons behind them, but also from all things other than God. This is accomplished by faith infused into the new converts through their hearing of the word of the gospel. To serve a living and true God is to serve the very God who is triune—the Father, the Son, and the Spirit—who has been processed to be the believers’ life and life supply for their enjoyment. They should experience Him not only as the object of worship but also as the all-inclusive Supplier who lives in them. This experience is brought about by love produced within the believers by the sweet taste of the rich supply of the Father, through the Son, and in the Spirit. To await the Son of God from the heavens is to look for the One who passed through incarnation, human living, and crucifixion and entered into resurrection and ascended to the heavens, and who will come back to receive His believers into glory. This is the hope that strengthens the believers to stand steadfastly in their faith.
1Th 1:9b idols 1 Cor. 12:2; Gal. 4:8
1Th 1:93c serve Heb. 9:14
Lit., serve as a slave.
1Th 1:94d living Dan. 6:20, 26; 1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 3:12
The living and true God is in contrast to the dead and false idols. God must be living and true to us and in us in our daily life, so that our present living will testify that the God whom we serve is living and true.
1Th 1:9e true Jer. 10:10
1Th 1:101a await 1 Cor. 1:7; Phil. 3:20; Titus 2:13
Because we are awaiting the Son of God from the heavens, our future is focused on Him. Our life declares that we have no hope on this earth and no positive destiny in this age, and that our hope is the coming Lord, who is our destiny forever. This governs, holds, and keeps our Christian life for the church life.
1Th 1:10b heavens 1 Thes. 4:16; 2 Thes. 1:7; Acts 1:11
1Th 1:10d delivers 1 Thes. 5:9
1Th 1:102e wrath 1 Thes. 5:9; Matt. 3:7; Rom. 2:5; 5:9; John 3:36; Rev. 6:16-17
The wrath of the coming judgment of God (Rom. 2:5-6, 8-9).
1Th 2:11 entrance
The apostle stressed repeatedly their entrance toward the believers (1:5, 9). This shows that their manner of life played a great role in infusing the gospel into the new converts. It was not only what they said but what they were.
1Th 2:1a in 1 Thes. 3:5; 1 Cor. 15:58; Gal. 4:11
1Th 2:21a Philippi Acts 16:12
See note 11 in Phil. 1.
1Th 2:22 in
This was the apostles’ experience of God in enjoying Him as their boldness in the struggle for the gospel.
1Th 2:2c struggle Phil. 1:30
1Th 2:3a exhortation 1 Thes. 4:1
1Th 2:31b deception cf. 2 Thes. 2:10
Deception refers to the goal, uncleanness to the motive, and guile to the means. All three are of and by the subtle and deceiving devil.
1Th 2:3c uncleanness 1 Thes. 4:7
1Th 2:3d guile 2 Cor. 12:16; 4:2
1Th 2:41a approved 2 Tim. 2:15
God’s entrusting depends on His approval, which comes out of His testing. The apostles were first tested and approved by God and then were entrusted by Him with the gospel. Hence, their speaking, the preaching of the gospel, was not of themselves to please men but of God to please Him. He proved, examined, and tested their hearts continually (Psa. 26:2; 139:23-24).
1Th 2:4b entrusted Gal. 2:7; 1 Tim. 1:11; Titus 1:3; 1 Cor. 9:17
1Th 2:5a flattering Rom. 16:18; Jude 16
1Th 2:51 pretext
Or, pretense, cloak. To have any pretext for covetousness is to peddle or adulterate the word of God (2 Cor. 2:17; 4:2). It is also to pretend to be godly for the sake of gain (1 Tim. 6:5; Titus 1:11; 2 Pet. 2:3).
1Th 2:5b covetousness Acts 20:33
1Th 2:5c witness 1 Thes. 2:10; Rom. 1:9
1Th 2:61 seek
To seek glory from men is a real temptation to every Christian worker. Many have been devoured and spoiled by this matter.
1Th 2:62 stood
Or, asserted authority. Lit., been able to be in weight; i.e., been burdensome (cf. v. 9; 1 Cor. 9:4-12). To assert authority, dignity, or right in Christian work damages that work. The Lord Jesus, while on earth, gave up His dignity (John 13:4-5), and the apostle preferred not to use his right (1 Cor. 9:12).
1Th 2:6b apostles 1 Cor. 9:1, 2, 5; 2 Cor. 12:12; 1 Tim. 2:7
1Th 2:7a gentle 2 Tim. 2:24
1Th 2:71b nursing cf. Isa. 49:23
In some instances the Greek word means a mother; hence, a nursing mother (cf. Gal. 4:19).
1Th 2:72c cherish Eph. 5:29
Cherishing, which includes nourishing, indicates care that is more tender than mere nourishing. See note 291 in Eph. 5.
1Th 2:7d children 1 Thes. 2:11
1Th 2:81a Yearning 1 Thes. 2:17
Being affectionately fond of, affectionately desirous of, like a nursing mother affectionately interested in her child, whom she nourishes and cherishes. This was what the apostles did with new believers. See note 173.
1Th 2:82b our cf. 2 Cor. 12:15
To live a clean and upright life, as portrayed in vv. 3-6 and 10, and to love the new converts, even by giving our own souls to them, as described in vv. 7-9 and 11, are the prerequisites for infusing them with the salvation conveyed in the gospel that we preach.
1Th 2:9a working 2 Thes. 3:8; Acts 18:3; 1 Cor. 4:12
1Th 2:9b burdensome 2 Cor. 11:9; 12:13, 14, 16
1Th 2:10a God 1 Thes. 2:5
1Th 2:101 holy
See note 751 in Luke 1. Holy refers to conduct toward God, righteous to conduct toward men, and blameless to conduct toward all—God, men, and Satan.
1Th 2:111 how
The apostle was strong in stressing what or how they were (1:5), because what they were opened the way to bring their new converts into God’s full salvation.
1Th 2:112a father 1 Cor. 4:15
In cherishing the believers as their own children, the apostles considered themselves a nursing mother; in exhorting the believers, a father.
1Th 2:11b children 1 Thes. 2:7; 1 Cor. 4:14
1Th 2:113c exhorting 1 Thes. 4:1; 5:14
Or, entreating.
1Th 2:12a walk Eph. 4:1, 17; Phil. 1:27
1Th 2:121b calls 1 Thes. 5:24; 2 Thes. 2:14; 1 Pet. 5:10
God’s calling is according to His selection and follows His selection (1:4).
1Th 2:122c kingdom 2 Thes. 1:5; Matt. 3:2; John 3:5; Acts 14:22; 2 Pet. 1:11
As worshippers of idols (1:9), the believers were in the kingdom of Satan (Matt. 12:26). Now, through the salvation in Christ they were called, and they have believed into the kingdom of God, which is the sphere in which they can worship and enjoy God under the divine ruling with the view of entering into God’s glory.
1Th 2:123d glory Rom. 8:17, 18; 2 Cor. 4:17
God’s glory goes with His kingdom. See note 134 in Matt. 6.
1Th 2:13a thank 1 Thes. 1:2
1Th 2:131 the
Lit., the word of hearing of God from us.
1Th 2:132 from
The word received by the believers was from the apostles, but it was of God. Its source, its origin, was God and not the apostles.
1Th 2:133 operates
Since the word of God is living and operative (Heb. 4:12), it operates in the believing ones.
1Th 2:141a imitators cf. 1 Thes. 1:6
The apostle taught the same thing in all the churches (1 Cor. 4:17; 7:17; 11:16), indicating that all the churches should bear the same testimony of Jesus. Hence, the churches are all lampstands of the same kind (Rev. 1:9, 20).
1Th 2:14b churches Acts 9:31; Gal. 1:22
1Th 2:15a killed Acts 2:23; 3:15; 7:52
1Th 2:15b prophets Matt. 23:31; Jer. 2:30
1Th 2:15c drove Acts 13:50
1Th 2:16a fill Matt. 23:32
1Th 2:161 uttermost
Lit., to the end; hence, to the uttermost.
1Th 2:171 bereaved
This word implies that the apostles considered the new converts precious and dear to them. Paul likened their departure from them to a bereavement, a loss that they suffered through missing them.
1Th 2:172 a
Lit., the season of an hour.
1Th 2:17a not cf. 1 Cor. 5:3; Col. 2:5
1Th 2:173 eager
This is the apostles’ yearning over the new converts (v. 8).
1Th 2:17b desire 1 Thes. 2:8; 3:10
1Th 2:181 Satan
Because the apostles were carrying out the will of God, Satan frustrated them.
1Th 2:18a hindered Rom. 1:13; 15:22
1Th 2:19a hope cf. 1 Thes. 1:3; 2 Thes. 2:16
1Th 2:19c boasting 2 Thes. 1:4; 1 Cor. 15:31; 2 Cor. 1:14
1Th 2:191d coming 1 Thes. 3:13; James 5:7; 1 John 2:28
Gk. parousia, meaning presence, as in 3:13 and 4:15. The Lord’s coming is His presence. In this light these two early Epistles were written. Every chapter of the first Epistle ends with the Lord’s coming back.
1Th 2:201 glory
Since the apostles were the believers’ nursing mother and exhorting father (vv. 7, 11), the believers, as the apostles’ children, were their glory and joy.
1Th 3:1a bear 1 Thes. 3:5
1Th 3:11b Athens Acts 17:15-16
The chief city of the province of Achaia of the Roman Empire, where the apostle Paul preached the gospel to the philosophical Greeks (Acts 17:15-34).
1Th 3:2a Timothy 1 Thes. 3:6; 1:1; 1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10; 2 Cor. 1:1, 19; Phil. 2:19; Col. 1:1; Philem. 1; Heb. 13:23
1Th 3:21 God’s
Some MSS read, minister of God. A minister of God is God’s fellow worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor. 6:1). What a privilege! What a blessing!
1Th 3:2b establish 1 Thes. 3:13
1Th 3:22 encourage
Or, exhort, comfort.
1Th 3:2c faith 1 Thes. 3:5, 7, 10; 1:3
1Th 3:31 shaken
If we are established in the faith (v. 2), afflictions will work out for our good (Rom. 8:28) according to God’s purpose in His appointment. Otherwise, we may be shaken by the tempter (v. 5) through the afflictions.
1Th 3:3a afflictions Eph. 3:13
1Th 3:32b appointed cf. Acts 9:16; 14:22
Or, destined, set, located. God has destined, appointed, that we should pass through afflictions. Hence, afflictions are God’s allotted portion to us, and He has set us, located us, in a situation of afflictions.
1Th 3:41 told
Imperfect tense, indicating repeated action.
1Th 3:5a bear 1 Thes. 3:1
1Th 3:5b faith 1 Thes. 3:2
1Th 3:51c tempter Matt. 4:3; 1 Cor. 7:5; 2 Cor. 11:3
The subtle devil, the old serpent, who tempted Eve (Gen. 3:1-6; 1 Tim. 2:14).
1Th 3:52d in 1 Thes. 2:1; Gal. 2:2; Phil. 2:16
The aim of the subtle tempter is to destroy the gospel work accomplished through God’s fellow workers, so that it would be in vain.
1Th 3:6a Timothy 1 Thes. 3:2; Acts 18:5
1Th 3:61 to
The apostle was in Corinth after leaving Athens (Acts 17:15-16; 18:1, 5). It was in Corinth that he wrote this lovely letter to the dear saints in Thessalonica for their encouragement.
1Th 3:6b faith 1 Thes. 1:3; 3:2, 5, 7, 10
1Th 3:6c remembrance 1 Cor. 11:2
1Th 3:6d long Rom. 1:11; 2 Tim. 1:4
1Th 3:71a comforted 2 Cor. 1:4; 7:6, 7, 13
The sound condition of the believers is always a comfort to God’s fellow workers, who work on them and bear them as a burden.
1Th 3:72 necessity
Or, distress. See notes 262 in 1 Cor. 7 and 103 in 2 Cor. 12.
1Th 3:7b faith 1 Thes. 3:2
1Th 3:81 live
The believers’ standing firm in the Lord ministers life to the apostles.
1Th 3:82a stand 1 Cor. 16:13; Eph. 6:13-14; Phil. 1:27; 4:1
Standing firm in the Lord is in contrast to being shaken from the faith (v. 3).
1Th 3:9a thanks 1 Thes. 1:2
1Th 3:10a see 1 Thes. 2:17; Rom. 1:11
1Th 3:101 complete
Or, perfect. The verb form of the Greek word in 2 Cor. 13:9 (see note 2 there). The believers in Thessalonica, being young in the Lord, were still lacking in their new faith. The apostle realized this with much loving concern for them. This was his reason for writing this Epistle.
1Th 3:10b faith 1 Thes. 3:2
1Th 3:111a make 2 Thes. 3:5
In Greek, make straight here is singular. This indicates that the apostle considered that God the Father and the Lord Jesus are one. How good to have our way in the ministry made straight by such a One! And how beautiful are the footsteps of the apostles in their carrying out of this One’s ministry for the fulfilling of His purpose!
1Th 3:12a abound 1 Thes. 4:1, 10
1Th 3:121b love 1 Thes. 4:9; 2 Thes. 1:3; 1 John 4:7-12; 1 Thes. 1:3; Phil. 1:9
The apostle’s concern for the young believers was first in regard to their faith (vv. 2-10) and then in regard to their love, which issues from faith and works together with faith (Gal. 5:6; 1 Tim. 1:14 and note 2). Such love is an indication of growth in life (1:3).
1Th 3:12c one 1 Thes. 4:18; 5:11, 15
1Th 3:131 So
The establishing of the believers’ hearts blameless issues from faith and love, as mentioned in the preceding verses. This spontaneously produces the hope of the coming back of our dear Lord, in whom we believe and whom we love. Hence, again we see that faith, love, and hope are the implied factors in the construction of this Epistle.
1Th 3:13a establish 1 Thes. 3:2; James 5:8; 1 Pet. 5:10
1Th 3:132 hearts
Inwardly, our heart must be established in holiness; outwardly, our body must be preserved in sanctification (4:4; 5:23). This is so that we may have a holy life, and this holy life is for the church life.
1Th 3:13b blameless 1 Thes. 5:23; Col. 1:22
1Th 3:133c holiness 1 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 12:14; cf. 1 Thes. 4:3, 4, 7; 5:23
See note 23 in Rom. 1.
1Th 3:134d coming 1 Thes. 2:19; 4:15; 2 Thes. 2:1
See note 191 in ch. 2.
1Th 3:13e with 1 Thes. 4:14, 17
1Th 3:135 saints
Believers in Christ (see notes 23 in Rom. 1 and 26 in 1 Cor. 1), including the Old Testament saints (Dan. 7:18, 21-22, 25, 27; Zech. 14:5).
1Th 3:136
Some MSS add, Amen.
1Th 4:1a exhort 1 Thes. 4:10; 2:3, 11; 5:14; 2 Thes. 3:12
1Th 4:1c abound 1 Thes. 4:10; 3:12
1Th 4:2a charges 1 Thes. 4:11
1Th 4:3a will 1 Thes. 5:18; Rom. 12:2; Eph. 5:17
1Th 4:31b sanctification 1 Thes. 4:4, 7; 5:23; 2 Thes. 2:13; 1 Cor. 1:30; cf. 1 Thes. 3:13
See note 192 in Rom. 6. God’s will is that His redeemed people, the believers in Christ, live a life of holiness according to His holy nature, a life wholly separated unto Him from anything other than Him. For this He is sanctifying us wholly (5:23).
1Th 4:3c abstain 1 Thes. 5:22
1Th 4:32d fornication 1 Cor. 6:18; Heb. 13:4
At Paul’s time, in both Corinth and Thessalonica sensuality and immorality were rife in the pagan religions and even were fostered by pagan worship. Man was made to express God (Gen. 1:26). Concerning this purpose, nothing ruins man more than fornication. This prevents man from being holy, separated unto God, and contaminates man to the uttermost in fulfilling God’s holy purpose. Hence, the apostle strongly charged the newly converted Gentile believers to be sanctified unto God, to abstain from fornication, the most gross sin in the eyes of God, that they might avoid its damage and contamination.
1Th 4:41 possess
Implying to keep, to preserve.
1Th 4:4a own cf. 1 Cor. 6:18
1Th 4:42 vessel
Concerning the interpretation of vessel here, there are two schools: one holds that the vessel is man’s body, as in 2 Cor. 4:7; the other, that it is a man’s wife, as in 1 Pet. 3:7. The context of this verse and the next verse, which include phrases such as each one of you, in sanctification and honor, and especially not in the passion of lust, justifies the interpretation of the first school but not that of the second. Here the apostle considered man’s body his vessel, just as David did in 1 Sam. 21:5. In the same matter concerning the use of the body, both Paul and David considered man’s body his vessel. To keep, or preserve, man’s vessel in sanctification and honor, not allowing it to indulge in the passion of lust, is the safeguard against committing fornication.
1Th 4:43 sanctification
Sanctification refers more to a holy condition before God; honor, to a respectable standing before man. Man was created for God’s purpose with a high standing, and marriage was ordained by God for the propagation of man to fulfill God’s purpose. Hence, marriage should be held in honor (Heb. 13:4). To abstain from fornication is not only to remain in a sanctified condition before God but also to hold and keep a standing of honor before man.
1Th 4:4b honor Heb. 13:4; cf. Rom. 1:24
1Th 4:5a passion Rom. 1:24, 26; Col. 3:5
1Th 4:51c not 2 Thes. 1:8; Psa. 79:6; Jer. 9:3; 10:25; Gal. 4:8
That they do not know God is the basic reason that people indulge in the passion of lust.
1Th 4:61 overstep
I.e., overpass (limits), overreach, transgress, go beyond. Overstep and take advantage of his brother refers to the committing of adultery with a brother’s wife.
1Th 4:62 take
Or, make a gain of; hence, defraud.
1Th 4:63 the
The matter of fornication, mentioned in v. 3.
1Th 4:64a avenger cf. Heb. 13:4
The Lord judges fornicators and adulterers as an avenger, as a punisher, meting out justice.
1Th 4:65 these
Things such as overstepping and taking advantage of others.
1Th 4:7a called 1 Thes. 2:12; 2 Thes. 2:14
1Th 4:71 for
Lit., based on.
1Th 4:72b uncleanness 1 Thes. 2:3; Rom. 1:24; 6:19; 2 Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 4:19; 5:3; Col. 3:5
The uncleanness of things such as fornication and adultery. Some teach that uncleanness here refers to unfair gain in business, and that v. 6 speaks of taking advantage of a brother in doing business. However, such a teaching is not acceptable in light of the context of this section, which begins at v. 3 with the charge to abstain from fornication. Actually, v. 7 is the concluding word of this charge.
1Th 4:73 in
I.e., in the element of sanctification, in the sphere of God’s holy nature.
1Th 4:74c sanctification 1 Thes. 4:3; Lev. 11:44; cf. 1 Pet. 1:15
The apostle’s charge to abstain from fornication is based on sanctification (v. 3), strengthened by sanctification (v. 4), and concluded here with sanctification, because fornication, the most unclean thing, destroys the holy standing and character of God’s called saints.
1Th 4:81 Consequently
This verse is the conclusion of the section that begins with v. 3.
1Th 4:82 rejects
I.e., rejects the charge in the preceding verses.
1Th 4:83a Holy 1 Thes. 1:6; 1 John 4:13
The Holy Spirit given to us by God is the Holy One who sanctifies us, making us holy before God (Rom. 15:16; 1 Pet. 1:2; 1 Cor. 6:11). The will (v. 3), the call (v. 7), and the Spirit of God are all for our sanctification. First, God had His will, then He called us, and then He gave us His Holy Spirit. By His Spirit we can be sanctified to answer His call and fulfill His will.
1Th 4:91 brotherly
Gk. philadelphia, composed of phileo, to love (referring to love in general, as to have affection for), and adelphos, brother.
1Th 4:9a love 1 Thes. 3:12; Heb. 13:1
1Th 4:9b write 1 Thes. 5:1
1Th 4:9c taught Isa. 54:13; John 6:45
1Th 4:92d love John 13:34; 15:12, 17; 1 John 3:11, 23
Gk. agapao, referring to noble love.
1Th 4:10a Macedonia 1 Thes. 1:7
1Th 4:10b exhort 1 Thes. 4:1
1Th 4:10c abound 1 Thes. 4:1
1Th 4:11a quiet 2 Thes. 3:12
1Th 4:11b hands Acts 20:34; Eph. 4:28
1Th 4:11c charged 1 Thes. 4:2
1Th 4:12a becomingly Rom. 13:13
1Th 4:12c need Titus 3:14
1Th 4:13a ignorant Rom. 1:13; 6:3
1Th 4:131 sleeping
I.e., dead (v. 16; John 11:11-14; 1 Cor. 11:30). For believers to die was considered by both the Lord and the apostle as going to sleep.
1Th 4:14a rose 1 Cor. 15:13; Rom. 10:9
1Th 4:14b those 1 Cor. 15:18, 23
1Th 4:14c with 1 Thes. 3:13
1Th 4:151a coming 1 Thes. 2:19; 3:13; 2 Thes. 2:1
Gk. parousia, meaning presence. See note 33 in Matt. 24.
1Th 4:161a shout Matt. 25:6
A signal for assembling.
1Th 4:162c trumpet cf. Matt. 24:31
The last trumpet (1 Cor. 15:52), a trumpet for assembling God’s redeemed people (cf. Num. 10:2).
1Th 4:16d heaven 1 Thes. 1:10
1Th 4:16e dead Rev. 14:13
1Th 4:16f rise John 5:28-29a; 1 Cor. 15:23; Rev. 20:4, 6
1Th 4:171a caught 2 Thes. 2:1; cf. Rev. 12:5; Matt. 24:40-41
I.e., snatched up speedily and in a way that cannot be resisted. It is the same Greek word as in Acts 8:39 and 2 Cor. 12:2, 4. The mentioning here of the rapture of the believers at the Lord’s coming is in a general way, as a word of comfort. Details concerning this matter are revealed in other books of the New Testament, such as Matthew and Revelation.
1Th 4:17b with 1 Thes. 4:14; 3:13
1Th 4:17c clouds Acts 1:9, 11; Rev. 10:1; cf. Matt. 24:30; 26:64; Rev. 14:14
1Th 4:172 in
In Rev. 12 the man-child, i.e., the overcomers, is caught up, raptured, to the throne of God in the third heaven before the great tribulation, the last three and a half years of the present age (Rev. 12:5-6, 14). Here, the majority of the believers, including those who are resurrected from the dead and those who are living at that time, are raptured to the air at the end of the great tribulation, at the time of the Lord’s coming (parousia).
1Th 5:11a times Matt. 24:36; Acts 1:7
These are the times and the seasons with regard to the Lord’s coming. This is confirmed by the day of the Lord in v. 2.
1Th 5:1b written 1 Thes. 4:9
1Th 5:21 like
This indicates that the day of the Lord’s coming is kept secret and will come suddenly, being known beforehand by no one (Matt. 24:42-43; Rev. 3:3; 16:15).
1Th 5:2a thief Matt. 24:43; Rev. 3:3; 16:15
1Th 5:2b night 1 Thes. 5:5, 7
1Th 5:22c day 2 Thes. 2:2-3
In the preceding chapter the coming of the Lord is mainly for comfort and encouragement. In this chapter the day of the Lord is mainly for warning (vv. 3-6), since it is mentioned in the Word mainly in relation to the Lord’s judgment (1 Cor. 1:8; 3:13; 5:5; 2 Cor. 1:14; 2 Tim. 4:8).
1Th 5:31 sudden
This is the result of men’s intense rebellion against God under Satan’s instigation near the time of the Lord’s coming (v. 2).
1Th 5:3b destruction cf. Psa. 35:8
1Th 5:3c pangs cf. Isa. 13:8; Jer. 13:21
1Th 5:4a darkness Acts 26:18; Col. 1:13; 1 Pet. 2:9; 1 John 2:8
1Th 5:5a light Luke 16:8; Eph. 5:8
1Th 5:5b day 1 Thes. 5:8
1Th 5:61a sleep Mark 13:36; Rom. 13:11
I.e., be unwatchful. So in the next verse.
1Th 5:62b watch Matt. 24:42; 1 Pet. 5:8
Watch is in contrast to sleep in the next verse; sober, in contrast to drunk.
1Th 5:6c sober 1 Thes. 5:8; 1 Pet. 1:13
1Th 5:7a night 1 Thes. 5:2; Rom. 13:12
1Th 5:71b drunk Luke 21:34; Matt. 24:49
In a stupor.
1Th 5:8a day 1 Thes. 5:5; Rom. 13:12-13
1Th 5:8b sober 1 Thes. 5:6
1Th 5:81 breastplate
The breastplate and the helmet here point to spiritual warfare. The breastplate, which covers and protects our heart and spirit according to God’s righteousness (Eph. 6:14), is of faith and love; the helmet, which covers and protects our mentality, our mind, is the hope of salvation (Eph. 6:17). Faith, love, and hope are the three basic constructing elements of the genuine Christian life, as depicted in 1:3. Faith is related to our will, a part of our heart (Rom. 10:9), and to our conscience, a part of our spirit (1 Tim. 1:19); love is related to our emotion, another part of our heart (Matt. 22:37); and hope is related to our understanding, the function of our mind. All these need to be protected so that a genuine Christian life can be maintained. Such a life is watchful and sober (vv. 6-7). At the beginning of the Epistle, the apostle praised the believers’ work of faith, labor of love, and endurance of hope (1:3). Here, at the conclusion of the Epistle, he exhorted them to keep these spiritual virtues covered and protected by fighting for them.
1Th 5:8c faith 1 Thes. 1:3
1Th 5:81d helmet Isa. 59:17
See note 81.
1Th 5:82 hope
The hope of our Lord’s coming back (1:3), which will be our salvation from both the coming destruction (v. 3) and the slavery of corruption of the old creation (Rom. 8:21-25).
1Th 5:83 salvation
Not salvation from eternal perdition through the Lord’s death, but salvation from the coming destruction (v. 3) through the Lord’s coming back.
1Th 5:91 not
Since God did not appoint us to wrath, we should watch, be sober, and fight (vv. 6, 8) to cooperate with God that we may obtain His salvation through the Lord Jesus.
1Th 5:9a appoint 1 Pet. 2:8; cf. 1 Thes. 3:3
1Th 5:9b wrath 1 Thes. 1:10
1Th 5:92c salvation 2 Thes. 2:13
See note 83.
1Th 5:101a died 2 Cor. 5:15
The Lord died for us not only that we might be saved from eternal perdition but also that we may live together with Him through His resurrection. Such a living can save us from the coming destruction.
1Th 5:102 watch
Or, are awake. I.e., are alive.
1Th 5:103 sleep
I.e., are dead (4:13-15).
1Th 5:10b live 2 Tim. 2:11
1Th 5:104 with
On the one hand, the Lord is away from us and we are awaiting His coming back; on the other hand, He is with us (Matt. 28:20) and we can live together with Him (Rom. 6:8).
1Th 5:11a one 1 Thes. 3:12; 4:18
1Th 5:11b build Rom. 14:19
1Th 5:121a acknowledge cf. 1 Cor. 16:18
Recognize and then render respect and regard for.
1Th 5:122 those
The apostle was probably referring here to the elders who labor in teaching and take the lead among the believers (1 Tim. 5:17).
1Th 5:123 take
To take the lead is not mainly to rule but to set an example in doing things first, that others may follow. The elders not only should labor in teaching but also should do things as an example. The example may become a ground for their admonishing.
1Th 5:12b lead Rom. 12:8; Heb. 13:17
1Th 5:131a regard Phil. 2:29
“To lead the mind through a reasoning process to a conclusion” (Vincent); hence, to think of, to consider, to estimate, to esteem, to regard.
1Th 5:13b love 1 Thes. 1:3
1Th 5:132 at
To regard the leading ones and to be at peace with one another is the proper condition of a local church.
1Th 5:14a exhort 1 Thes. 2:11; 4:1
1Th 5:141b disorderly 2 Thes. 3:6, 7, 11
Referring, perhaps, mainly to those who are idle and are unwilling to work, being busybodies (2 Thes. 3:11), undisciplined, unruled, rebellious.
1Th 5:142c fainthearted Heb. 12:3, 5
Lit., little-souled; i.e., narrow and feeble in the capacity of mind, will, and emotion.
1Th 5:143d weak Acts 20:35; 1 Pet. 3:7
Probably referring generally to the weak ones, who are weak either in their spirit or soul or body, or are weak in faith (Rom. 14:1; 15:1).
1Th 5:144e long-suffering 1 Cor. 13:4; Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12; 2 Tim. 4:2
This implies that in a local church, besides those who are disorderly and need admonishing, those who are little-souled and need consoling, and those who are weak and need sustaining, all the members may be a problem in some way and need us to be long-suffering toward them.
1Th 5:15a evil Rom. 12:17; 1 Pet. 3:9; Matt. 5:39
1Th 5:151 always
This means that regardless of how others treat us, even if their treatment is evil, we should pursue what is good for them.
1Th 5:15b good 1 Thes. 5:21; Rom. 15:14; Gal. 5:22
1Th 5:15c one 1 Thes. 5:11; 3:12
1Th 5:161 Always
This is based on the conditions mentioned in vv. 14-15.
1Th 5:16a rejoice Phil. 4:4; 2 Cor. 13:11
1Th 5:171 Unceasingly
This is to have uninterrupted fellowship with God in our spirit. It requires perseverance (Rom. 12:12; Col. 4:2) with a strong spirit (Eph. 6:18).
1Th 5:17a pray Luke 18:1; Rom. 12:12; Eph. 6:18; 1 Pet. 4:7
1Th 5:181 In
Because all things work together for our good that we may be transformed and conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:28-29).
1Th 5:18a thanks Eph. 5:20; Col. 3:17
1Th 5:182 for
This clause modifies the three preceding exhortations. God wants us to live a rejoicing, praying, and thanking life. Such a life is a glory to God and a shame to His enemy.
1Th 5:18b will 1 Thes. 4:3
1Th 5:191 not
The Spirit causes our spirit to be burning (Rom. 12:11) and our gifts to be flaming (2 Tim. 1:6). Hence, we should not quench Him.
1Th 5:19a Spirit cf. Eph. 4:30; Isa. 63:10
1Th 5:201 despise
Count as nothing, lightly esteem.
1Th 5:202 prophecies
I.e., prophesying, the prophetic speech that issues from a revelation. It does not need to be a prediction (see 1 Cor. 14:1, 3-4 and notes there).
1Th 5:211 prove
Including to discern prophecies (1 Cor. 14:29), to discern the spirits (1 Cor. 12:10), to test the spirits (1 John 4:1), to prove what is the will of God (Rom. 12:2), and to prove what is well pleasing to the Lord (Eph. 5:10).
1Th 5:21a good 1 Thes. 5:15; Job 34:4
1Th 5:22a Abstain 1 Thes. 4:3
1Th 5:221 kind
The Greek word means species. It denotes anything in view, anything in perception; hence, a sight. It refers not to the appearance of evil but to the kind, the form, the shape, the sight, of evil. The believers, who live a holy life in faith, love, and hope, should abstain from evil of any kind.
1Th 5:231 And
And conjoins the blessing of God’s sanctifying of our entire being, given in this verse, and the charge to abstain from every kind of evil, given in the preceding verse. On the one hand, we abstain from every kind of evil; on the other hand, God sanctifies us wholly. We cooperate with God that we may have a holy living.
1Th 5:232 God
The God of peace is the Sanctifier; His sanctification brings in peace. When we are wholly sanctified by Him from within, we have peace with Him and with man in every way (v. 13).
1Th 5:23a peace 2 Cor. 13:11
1Th 5:233b sanctify 1 Thes. 4:3, 4, 7; 2 Thes. 2:13; John 17:17; Rom. 6:19, 22
To set apart, separate unto God, from things common or profane. See notes 23 in Rom. 1 and 192 in Rom. 6.
1Th 5:234 wholly
Or, entirely, thoroughly, to the consummation. God sanctifies us wholly, so that no part of our being, of either our spirit or soul or body, will be left common or profane.
1Th 5:235c spirit Luke 1:46-47; Heb. 4:12; Zech. 12:1; Job 32:8; Prov. 20:27; John 4:24; Rom. 8:16; 1:9; 1 Cor. 14:14-16; 16:18; 2 Cor. 7:13
This word strongly indicates that man is of three parts: spirit, soul, and body. The spirit as our inmost part is the inner organ, possessing God-consciousness, that we may contact God (John 4:24; Rom. 1:9). The soul is our very self (cf. Matt. 16:26; Luke 9:25), a medium between our spirit and our body, possessing self-consciousness, that we may have our personality. The body as our external part is the outer organ, possessing world-consciousness, that we may contact the material world. The body contains the soul, and the soul is the vessel that contains the spirit. In the spirit, God as the Spirit dwells; in the soul, our self dwells; and in the body, the physical senses dwell. God sanctifies us, first, by taking possession of our spirit through regeneration (John 3:5-6); second, by spreading Himself as the life-giving Spirit from our spirit into our soul to saturate and transform our soul (Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 3:18); and last, by enlivening our mortal body through our soul (Rom. 8:11, 13) and transfiguring our body by His life power (Phil. 3:21). See notes 122 and 123 in Heb. 4.
1Th 5:23d soul Luke 17:33; John 12:25 and note 1; Heb. 10:39 and note 3; 1 Pet. 1:9
1Th 5:23e body Rom. 8:11, 13; 12:1; 1 Cor. 6:13, 15, 19
1Th 5:236 complete
God not only sanctifies us wholly but also preserves our spirit, soul, and body complete. Wholly is quantitative; complete is qualitative. Quantitatively, God sanctifies us wholly; qualitatively, God preserves us complete, i.e., He keeps our spirit, soul, and body perfect. Through the fall our body was ruined, our soul was contaminated, and our spirit was deadened. In God’s full salvation our entire being is saved and made complete and perfect. For this, God is preserving our spirit from any deadening element (Heb. 9:14), our soul from remaining natural and old (Matt. 16:24-26), and our body from the ruin of sin (4:4; Rom. 6:6). Such a preservation by God and His thorough sanctification sustain us to live a holy life unto maturity that we may meet the Lord in His parousia.
1Th 5:23g without Phil. 2:15; 2 Pet. 3:14
1Th 5:237 at
Or, in the presence (parousia).
1Th 5:238h coming 1 Thes. 2:19; 3:13; 4:15-16; 2 Thes. 2:1, 8
Every chapter of this book ends with the coming of the Lord. This shows that the writer, Paul, lived and worked with the Lord’s coming before him, taking it as an attraction, an incentive, a goal, and a warning. He not only did this himself but also encouraged the believers under his care to do the same.
1Th 5:24a Faithful 2 Thes. 3:3; 1 Cor. 1:9; 10:13
1Th 5:24b calls 1 Thes. 2:12
1Th 5:241 also
The faithful God who called us will also sanctify us wholly and preserve our entire being complete.
1Th 5:25a pray 2 Thes. 3:1; Col. 4:3; Heb. 13:18
1Th 5:26a kiss Rom. 16:16
1Th 5:271 brothers
Some MSS insert, holy. This would mean that, since this Epistle is concerned with the holy life of the believers, the apostle in his concluding charge called the believers “the holy brothers.”
1Th 5:281a grace 2 Thes. 3:18; Rom. 16:20; Gal. 6:18
[ par. 1 2 3 ]
1Th 5:281 [1] See notes 146 and 171 in John 1 and 101 in 1 Cor. 15. It is only when we enjoy the Lord as grace that we can live a holy life for the church life, a life that is genuine and proper for the church, lived by our having the Lord as the life supply.
1Th 5:281 [2] In this book the holy life for the church life is developed. To be sanctified is to be holy. In the universe, only God is holy; only He is distinct and different from all other things. He is not common and therefore is undefiled. Holiness is God’s nature; it is an intrinsic characteristic of God’s attributes. Therefore, to be holy completely and entirely, to be holy not only in outward position but also in inward disposition, we must have the holy nature that is characteristic of God. To have this divine nature of God, we must possess God, having Him as our life and nature. Only God can sanctify us wholly and can preserve our entire being, our spirit and soul and body, complete, keeping it from being common or defiled. God desires to sanctify us, and He Himself will do it, as long as we are willing to pursue Him as holiness (Heb. 12:14a) and cooperate with Him in this matter. In this way we can be holy as He is holy (1 Pet. 1:15-16). Without holiness we cannot see Him (Heb. 12:14b).
1Th 5:281 [3] God not only has made us holy in position by the redeeming blood of Christ (Heb. 13:12; 10:29) but also is sanctifying us in disposition by His own holy nature. By thus sanctifying us, He transforms us in the essence of our spirit, soul, and body, making us wholly like Him in nature. In this way He preserves our spirit, soul, and body wholly complete. His making us holy in position is outside of us, whereas His sanctifying us in disposition is within us, beginning from our spirit, the deepest part, passing through our soul, the intermediate part, and reaching to our body, the outer part. This work, which penetrates us deeply, is accomplished through the regeneration of our spirit (John 3:6), the transformation of our soul (Rom. 12:2), and the redemption of our body (Rom. 8:23; Eph. 4:30) by God’s life-giving Spirit. Such a holy and sanctified life is necessary for us to have a church life that is pleasing to God and that expresses Him.