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1 Thessalonians Chapter 4

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 18 Verses

What is 1 Thessalonians 4 about?

Encouragement on Christian living, sanctification, and the coming of the Lord for his people. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk, --that ye abound more and more.
2For ye know what charge we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication;
4that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
5not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who know not God;
6that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in the matter: because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified.
7For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.
8Therefore he that rejecteth, rejecteth not man, but God, who giveth his Holy Spirit unto you.
9But concerning love of the brethren ye have no need that one write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another;
10for indeed ye do it toward all the brethren that are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brethren, that ye abound more and more;
11and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your hands, even as we charged you;
12that ye may walk becomingly toward them that are without, and may have need of nothing.
13But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope.
14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep.
16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first;
17then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, etc.] Or request of you in the most kind and tender manner, from real and hearty love and affection for you, and with a view to your good, and the glory of God: and exhort you: or beseech and entreat you. The apostle does not lay his commands upon them as he might have done, and sometimes does, but endeavours to work upon them by way of entreaty, and which he doubtless thought the most effectual method to win upon them, and gain them; for some minds are more easily wrought upon by entreaty than by authority: and this he does in the most moving and powerful manner, even…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“EXHORTATIONS TO CHASTITY; BROTHERLY LOVE; QUIET INDUSTRY; ABSTINENCE FROM UNDUE SORROW FOR DEPARTED FRIENDS, FOR AT CHRIST'S COMING ALL HIS SAINTS SHALL BE GLORIFIED. (1Th. 4:1-18) Furthermore--Greek, "As to what remains." Generally used towards the close of his Epistles (Eph 6:10; Phi 4:8). then--with a view to the love and holiness (Th1 3:12-13) which we have just prayed for in your behalf, we now give you exhortation. beseech--"ask" as if it were a personal favor. by, &c.--rather as Greek, "IN the Lord Jesus"; in communion with the Lord Jesus, as Christian ministers dealing with Christian people [EDMUNDS]. as…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Furthermore then - Τὸ λοιπὸν To loipon. “As to what remains.” That is, all that remains is to offer these exhortations; see the 2 Corinthians 13:11 note; Galatians 6:17 note; Ephesians 6:10 note; Philippians 4:8 note. The phrase is a formula appropriate to the end of an argument or discourse. We beseech you - Margin, “request.” The Greek is, “we ask you” - ἐρωτῶμεν erōtōmen. It is not as strong a word as that which follows. And exhort you - Marg, “beseech.” This is the word which is commonly used to denote earnest exhortation. The use of these words here implies that Paul regarded the subject as of great…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“More and more - It is not enough to have faith, even so as to please God, unless we abound more and more therein. 1 Thessalonians 4:3”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“4:1–5:22 The second part of the body of the letter concerns Timothy’s news about the church and the questions the believers had for Paul. Paul addresses the problem of sexual immorality (4:3-8) before responding to the Thessalonians’ questions about love for other Christians (4:9-12), the destiny of believers who have died (4:13-18), and the timing of the day of the Lord (5:1-11). Paul takes up a variety of exhortations on topics such as leadership and community relations (5:12-15), relationship with the Lord (5:16-18), and prophecy (5:19-22). 4:1-2 we urge you: Paul’s exhortation in the name of the Lord Jesus…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“we: Th1 2:11; Rom 12:1; Co2 6:1, Co2 10:1; Eph 4:1; Plm 1:9, Plm 1:10; Heb 13:22 we beseech: or, we request exhort: or, beseech. by the: Th1 4:2; Eph 4:20; Th2 2:1; Ti1 5:21, Ti1 6:13, Ti1 6:14; Ti2 4:1 ye have: Th1 4:11, Th1 4:12; Act 20:27; Co1 11:23, Co1 15:1; Phi 1:27; Col 2:6; Th2 3:10-12 ye ought: Th1 2:12 to please: Rom 8:8, Rom 12:2; Eph 5:17; Col 1:10; Heb 11:6, Heb 13:16; Jo1 3:22 so ye: Th1 4:10; Job 17:9; Psa 92:14; Pro 4:18; Joh 15:2; Co1 15:58; Phi 1:9, Phi 3:14; Th2 1:3; Pe2 1:5-10, Pe2 3:18 1 Thessalonians 4:2”
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