1 Thess. 4

1 Thessalonians 4

Plea for Purity

Finally then (a new and last matter), brethren, we urge (entreat) and exhort (beg) in the Lord Jesus (in behalf of and for the benefit of) that you should abound more and more (in excess), just as you (willingly and purposely) received (instruction) from us how you ought (were meant) to walk (to continue to move forward in how you ought to live out your life) and to please God (by doing so—this is your purpose in life, super abound in doing so—may your life be an artesian well of over flowing glory to God—which is more desiring Him and spending time with Him than doing things for Him—the latter is the byproduct of the former); 2 for you know (already) what commandments (the military term for commands, orders) we gave you through (by the authority of) the Lord Jesus (you don’t need anything new, you simply need to act on and expand what you already know).

3 For (the reason you are being begged to follow these orders is that) this is the will of God, (God desires) your sanctification (for you to be holy as He is holy [1 Pet. 1:16] – God’s will is for gospel believers to become in practice what He has made us positionally in providing us the righteousness of Christ [Phil. 3:9] what that would look like is): that you should abstain from (avoid) sexual immorality (avoid desacralizing sex in every respect – e.g., whether single or married, whether desires or actions); 4 that (in order that) each of you should know how (should learn for the purpose of acquiring the ability) to possess (to gain or acquire control over) his own vessel (body – [could mean spouse as well]) in sanctification (purity, holiness) and honor (to reserve it for sacred use), 5 not in (“not in” here is not referring to passion and lust in a sanctified relationship, but) in (an evil, fleshly, unsanctified, dishonorable) passion of lust, like the Gentiles (unbelievers) who do not know God (who walk in the ways of their broken, worldly, sinful, human will/desires—who see all others as fair game, it’s like a sport to them); 6 that (we are not to do that, in order that) no one (that no gospel believer) should take advantage of (to do wrong, to go beyond what is right, to go too far, to disregard proper boundaries) and defraud (to cheat, invade, exploit) his brother in this matter (some say this involves business matters now and others say it involves having sex with another man’s wife or with a father’s unmarried daughter), because the Lord is the avenger (the One who will exact retribution) of all such (who do take advantage and defraud their brother), as we also (have previously) forewarned you and testified (as the truth and will of God). 7 For God did not call us to (save and set gospel believers apart to) uncleanness (impurity, to desacralize the sacred), but in holiness (just the opposite, gospel believers have been separated from the unbelieving world to live their life within sacred boarders). 8 Therefore (since this is God’s will) he who rejects this (process of sanctification) does not reject man (the ideas, values, standards of his fellow mortals, his equal), but God (every mortals Creator and authority, his Superior), who has also (not only called you to a holy life, but has) given us His Holy Spirit (to enable us to live this holy life without excuse—There is no possible excuse for not knowing this truth or restraining oneself then).

A Brotherly and Orderly Life

9 But (same topic but different issue) concerning brotherly (Philadelphia) love (as it pertains to your sanctification) you have no need that I should write to you (beyond pointing out what is significant to your sanctification), for you yourselves are (continually) taught by God (this is as much an endowment of the Holy Spirit as instruction by Him) to love one another (Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22; 1 John 4:7; 5:1; Romans 12:10; 1 Peter 1:22[1]) 10 and indeed (for a fact) you do so toward all (without prejudice or preference to) the brethren (gospel believers) who are in all Macedonia (near and far). But we urge (entreat) you, brethren, that you increase more and more (in excess); 11 that you also aspire (make it your life ambition) to lead a quiet (peaceful, confident, restful) life (within yourself and around others [the opposite would be pushing others buttons, playing the devil’s advocate, habitually fearful, angry, anxious, depressed, jealous, argumentative, envious, conniving, whining, etc.] – Verses fanatics), to mind your own business (concentrate and pour yourself into your responsibilities, not those of others—don’t meddle in or gossip about the affairs of others – Verses busybodies), and to work with your own hands, (labor honestly in what you do, provide for yourself and household—don’t cause others to have to labor for themselves and you – Verses loafers) as we commanded you (earlier), 12 that (in order that) you may walk (conduct your life) properly (honestly, gracefully) toward (with respect to) those who are outside (unbelievers), and that you may lack nothing (that you may not lack in your testimony before others as well as that you will not require anything from taking care of yourself and your own needs).

The Comfort of Christ’s Coming

13 But (new subject) I do not want you to be ignorant (uninformed, in the dark), brethren (my fellow gospel believers), concerning (what happens to) those (fellow believers) who have fallen asleep (whose bodies have died), lest (as a result) you sorrow (grieve, suffer anxiety over the separation and state of your loved ones) as (in the same way as) others (unbelievers) who have no hope (who have no assurances of the whereabouts and conditions or their loved ones concerning these matters). 14 For (it’s wrong and unnecessary because) if we (truly) believe that Jesus died (as did our loved ones) and (He) rose again (from the grave, from the dead), even so (in the same way) God will bring (to heaven to be) with Him those (but only those) who sleep in Jesus (those who have placed saving faith in Jesus before their body died).

15 For this we say to you (not by our own beliefs or hopes) by the word (the declaration and truth) of the Lord (Himself), that we who are alive (here on the earth) and (if we should) remain (alive) until the coming of the Lord (for His saints prior to the 7 year tribulation of God’s wrath) will by no means (will absolutely not) precede (be ahead of, have the advantage over) those who are asleep (whose bodies have died before Jesus returns). 16 For (the reason being) the Lord Himself (Personally) will (at any moment) descend from heaven (with the NT saints who have died previous to this point, with Him [2]] with a shout (a loud command, as he shouted for Lazarus to come forth from the grave [John 11:43]), with the (rallying) voice of an archangel (a leader of good angels), and with the trumpet of God (declaring the event). And (with this command, rally and declaration) the dead in Christ (all gospel believers whose body died prior to this event) will rise (and receive their new resurrection, eternal, glorified bodies[3]) first (i.e., before the gospel believers who will still be alive on the earth at Jesus’ coming). 17 Then (after the deceased receive their new body) we (gospel believers) who are alive and remain (who are still living on the earth) shall be caught up (snatched away, seize, carried away[4]) together (those yet living) with them (those whose body had died) in the clouds (in the sky) to meet the Lord in the air.[5] (That’s as close as Christ gets to the ground this trip to earth.  This is not the second coming of the Lord where He descends on the Mount of Olives were He ascended before the apostles and sets up His millennial rule;[6] that is yet further on; I believe 7 years later[7]) And thus (at Christ’s coming) we (all gospel believers) shall always (forever, eternally) be (together) with the Lord (Jesus Christ as His bride). 18 Therefore (in light of this truth concerning those whose bodies have died before yours,) comfort (continually be comforting, encouraging) one another (not to grieve as those who have no hope) with these words, (with these glorious truths).

[1] Romans 5:5 – Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

  • Galatians 5:22 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
  • 1 John 4:7 – Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
  • 1 John 5:1 – Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
  • Romans 12:10 – Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
  • 1 Peter 1:22 – Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

[2] 2 Corinthians 5:8 – We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

Philippians 1:20–24 – according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

It appears that up until Christ’s coming in 1 Thessalonians 4, the saints in glory have a temporary body prior to receiving their new, eternal and glorified body. Luke 16:19–23 – “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”

[3] Philippians 3:20–21 – For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. (cf., 1 Corinthians 15:47–58)

[4]

  • To Catch away speedily – Like Philip after he had led the Ethiopian to Christ, (Acts 8:39); in the twinkling of the eye, (1 Cor. 15:52)
  • To seize by force – Like Lot being delivered from Sodom, Gen. 19:16)
  • To claim for one’s self – As the Lord comes for His bride, (1 Thess. 4:16)
  • To move to a new place – To the home Christ prepares for us, (Jn. 14:1-6)
  • To rescue from danger – As the Lord promises we will not suffer His wrath, (1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9)  —Outline is Kenneth Wuest’s given by Warren Wiersbe, Be Ready, pp. 96, 97.

[5]

  • This is a glorious meeting – we will see and share in Christ’s glory, (John 17:22-24); Our sufferings are transferred into glory, (Rom. 8:17-19)
  • This is an everlasting meeting – we will be forever with the Lord, (1 Thess. 4:17; Where I am, there you may be also, (John 14:3)
  • This is a defining meeting – as our lives will be assessed at this time at the Judgment Seat of Christ, (Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Cor. 3:8-15) —Warren Wiersbe, Be Ready, p. 98.
  • This is a celebratory meeting – I believe that NT believers leave the Judgment Seat of Christ to go to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, (Rev. 19:9);  If it is not here, it will be at the conclusion of the 7 Year Tribulation.

[6] Zechariah 14:4 – And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south.

[7] 1 Thessalonians 1:10 – …wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 – …God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,