1 Thessalonians 4 New
International Version - UK (NIVUK)
Living to please God
4
As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in
order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in
the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we
gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
3
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual
immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body[a] in a
way that is holy and honourable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who
do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take
advantage of a brother or sister.[b] The Lord will punish all those who commit
such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to
be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this
instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you
his Holy Spirit.
9
Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you
yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do
love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and
sisters, to do so more and more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a
quiet life: you should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as
we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so
that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Believers who have died
13
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep
in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God
will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the
Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the
coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the
voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ
will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught
up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will
be with the Lord for ever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Make it easy on yourself,
from Elim Missions
1 Thessalonians 4
I'm
not being unkind but some people just make it more difficult than it need be.
If
only they conducted their life with a bit more wisdom.
If
only they controlled their life with a bit more effort.
If
only they cared for others with a bit more commitment.
Paul
gives 3 directives that apply more than ever today:
Don't
be noisy about you.
Don't
be nosy about others.
Don't
be neglectful about your responsibilities.
It
doesn't necessarily have to be as difficult as it may feel.
Make
it easy on yourself.
Reformation Study Bible
I Thessalonians 4:3
4:3
the will of God, your sanctification.
Scripture generally conceives of the will of God in one of two senses.
Sometimes, as in Eph. 1:11, what is meant is the eternal purpose of God that
determines history, and that we cannot know except by observing the outworking
of history or through a special revelation (prophecy). This is often called by
theologians the “decretive,” “hidden,” or “secret” will of God. Elsewhere, as
here and in 5:18, what is meant is the duty God has announced through
revelation, the “preceptive” or “revealed” will of God (Deut. 29:29).
Matthew Henry's
Commentary
Verses 1-8
Here
we have,
I.
An exhortation to abound in holiness, to abound more and more in that which is
good, 1 Thess. 4:1, 2. We may observe,
1.
The manner in which the exhortation is given—very affectionately. The apostle
entreats them as brethren; he calls them so, and loved them as such. Because
his love to them was very great, he exhorts them very earnestly: We beseech and
exhort you. The apostle was unwilling to take any denial, and therefore repeats
his exhortation again and again.
2.
The matter of his exhortation—that they would abound more and more in holy
walking, or excel in those things that are good, in good works. Their faith was
justly famed abroad, and they were already examples to other churches: yet the
apostle would have them yet further to excel others, and to make further
progress in holiness. Note, (1.) Those who most excel others fall short of
perfection. The very best of us should forget those things which are behind,
and reach forth unto those things which are before. (2.) It is not enough that
we abide in the faith of the gospel, but we must abound in the work of faith.
We must not only persevere to the end, but we should grow better, and walk more
evenly and closely with God.
3.
The arguments with which the apostle enforces his exhortation. (1.) They had
been informed of their duty. They knew their Master’s will, and could not plead
ignorance as an excuse. Now as faith, so knowledge, is dead without practice.
They had received of those who had converted them to Christianity, or been
taught of them, how they ought to walk. Observe, The design of the gospel is to
teach men not only what they should believe, but also how they ought to live;
not so much to fill men’s minds with notions as to regulate their temper and
behaviour. The apostle taught them how to walk, not how to talk. To talk well
without living well will never bring us to heaven: for the character of those
who are in Christ Jesus is this: They walk not after the flesh, but after the
Spirit. (2.) Another argument is that the apostle taught and exhorted them in
the name, or by the authority, of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was Christ’s
minister and ambassador, declaring to them what was the will and command of the
Lord Jesus. (3.) Another argument is this. Herein they would please God. Holy
walking is most pleasing to the holy God, who is glorious in holiness. This
ought to be the aim and ambition of every Christian, to please God and to be
accepted of him. We should not be men-pleasers, nor flesh-pleasers, but should
walk so as to please God. (4.) The rule according to which they ought to walk
and act—the commandments they had given them by the Lord Jesus Christ, which
were the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ himself, because given by
authority and direction from him and such as were agreeable to his will. The
apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ were only commissioned by him to teach men to
observe all things whatsoever he had commanded them, Matt. 28:20. Though they
had great authority from Christ, yet that was to teach men what Christ had
commanded, not to give forth commandments of their own. They did not act as
lords over God’s heritage (1 Pet. 5:3), nor should any do so that pretend to be
their successors. The apostle could appeal to the Thessalonians, who knew what
commandments he gave them, that they were no other than what he had received
from the Lord Jesus.
II.
A caution against uncleanness, this being a sin directly contrary to
sanctification, or that holy walking to which he so earnestly exhorts them.
This caution is expressed, and also enforced by many arguments,
1.
It is expressed in these words: That you should abstain from fornication (1
Thess. 4:3), by which we are to understand all uncleanness whatsoever, either
in a married or unmarried state. Adultery is of course included, though
fornication is particularly mentioned. And other sorts of uncleanness are also
forbidden, of which it is a shame even to speak, though they are done by too
many in secret. All that is contrary to chastity in heart, speech, and
behaviour, is contrary to the command of God in the decalogue, and contrary to
that holiness which the gospel requires.
2.
There are several arguments to enforce this caution. As, (1.) This branch of
sanctification in particular is the will of God, 1 Thess. 4:3. It is the will
of God in general that we should be holy, because he that called us is holy,
and because we are chosen unto salvation through the sanctification of the
Spirit; and not only does God require holiness in the heart, but also purity in
our bodies, and that we should cleanse ourselves from all filthiness both of
flesh and spirit, 2 Cor. 7:1. Whenever the body is, as it ought to be, devoted
to God, and dedicated and set apart for him, it should be kept clean and pure
for his service; and, as chastity is one branch of our sanctification, so this
is one thing which God commands in his law, and what his grace effects in all
true believers. (2.) This will be greatly for our honour: so much is plainly
implied, 1 Thess. 4:4. Whereas the contrary will be a great dishonour. And his
reproach shall not be wiped away, Prov. 6:33. The body is here called the
vessel of the soul, which dwells therein (so 1 Sam. 21:5), and it must be kept
pure from defiling lusts. Every one should be careful in this matter, as he
values his own honour and will not be contemptible on this account, that his
inferior appetites and passions gain not the ascendant, tyrannizing over his
reason and conscience, and enslaving the superior faculties of his soul. What
can be more dishonourable than for a rational soul to be enslaved by bodily
affections and brutal appetites? (3.) To indulge the lust of concupiscence is
to live and act like heathens? Even as the Gentiles who know not God, 1 Thess.
4:5. The Gentiles, and especially the Grecians, were commonly guilty of some
sins of uncleanness which were not so evidently forbidden by the light of
nature. But they did not know God, nor his mind and will, so well as Christians
know, and should know, this his will, namely our sanctification in this branch
of it. It is not so much to be wondered at, therefore, if the Gentiles indulge
their fleshly appetites and lusts; but Christians should not walk as
unconverted Gentiles, in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings,
banquetings, etc. (1 Pet. 4:3), because those who are in Christ have crucified
the flesh with its affections and lusts. (4.) The sin of uncleanness,
especially adultery, is a great piece of injustice that God will be the avenger
of; so we may understand those words, That no man go beyond or defraud his
brother (1 Thess. 4:6), in any matter—en to pragmati, in this matter of which
the apostle is speaking in the preceding and following verses, namely, the sin
of uncleanness. Some understand these words as a further warning and caution
against injustice and oppression, all fraud and deceit in our dealings with
men, which are certainly criminal, and contrary to the gospel. And Christians
should not impose upon the ignorance and necessity of those they deal with, and
so go beyond them, nor should they by equivocations or lying arts defraud them;
and although this may be practised by some and lie long undiscovered, and so go
unpunished among men, yet the righteous God will render a recompence. But the
meaning may rather be to show the injustice and wrong that in many cases are
done by the sin of uncleanness. Not only are fornication and other acts of
uncleanness sins against his own body who commits them (1 Cor. 6:18), not only
are they very injurious to the sinner himself both in soul and body, but
sometimes they are very injurious, and no less than defrauding, acts of
injustice to others, particularly to those who are joined together in the
marriage covenant and to their posterity. And, as this sin is of such a heinous
nature, so it follows that God will be the avenger of it. Whoremongers and
adulterers God will judge, Heb. 13:4. This the apostle had forewarned and
testified by his gospel, which, as it contained exceedingly great and precious
promises, so also it revealed from heaven the wrath of God against all
ungodliness and unrighteousness among men, Rom. 1:18. (5.) The sin of
uncleanness is contrary to the nature and design of our Christian calling: For
God hath called us not unto uncleanness, but unto holiness, 1 Thess. 4:7. The
law of God forbids all impurity, and the gospel requires the greatest purity;
it calls us from uncleanness unto holiness. (6.) The contempt therefore of
God’s law and gospel is the contempt of God himself: He that despises despises
God, not man only. Some might possibly make light of the precepts of purity and
holiness, because they heard them from men like themselves; but the apostle
lets them know that they were God’s commands, and to violate them was no less
than to despise God. He adds, God hath given Christians his Spirit, intimating
that all sorts of uncleanness do in an especial manner grieve the Holy Spirit,
and will provoke him to withdraw from us; and also the Holy Spirit is given
unto us to arm us against these sins, and to help us to mortify these deeds of
the body, that we may live, Rom. 8:13.
The Bible Panorama
1 Thessalonians 4
V 1–2: INCREASE AND
INSTRUCTION
Their spiritual lives should increase continually and abundantly. They should
remember Christ’s commandments received through Paul and his Christian
colleagues.
V 3–8: SANCTIFICATION
AND SEX
God’s will is to have a holy people in contrast to the unregenerate Gentiles.
This means that sexual immorality has no place whatsoever in the life of any
believer. Adultery and lustful passion is out. To reject this clean and holy
teaching is to reject God and His Holy Spirit.
V 9–12: LOVE AND LIVING Heavenly love towards
each other must predominate. As it increases, it will produce a quiet,
industrious, ordered life. This will ensure that they have a good testimony to
those outside and that their needs are met by their daily work.
V 13–18: COMFORT AND
COMING
Some suggested to the Thessalonians that Christians who had died had missed the
blessing of Christ’s second coming. Paul teaches them that, when Christ comes,
those who have died physically will be raised with a resurrection body first
and be reunited with Christ in the air. Christ will bring their redeemed souls
with Him, so there will also be another reunion—that of the body and soul of
the believer. Then those who are alive physically will join that blessed
reunion with their returned Lord of glory. This is, of course, a great comfort.
The Christian who has died and the Christian who is alive both have their
future gloriously secured in Jesus Christ. Those who died trusting Christ only
fell ‘asleep’ in death, and awoke immediately in His eternal presence. Now they
will be given a resurrection body also when Christ brings them back with Him.
Westminster Confession of Faith,
Chapter 13
Sanctification
I. They, who are once effectually
called, and regenerated, having a new heart, and a new spirit created in them,
are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ's
death and resurrection,[1] by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them:[2] the
dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed,[3] and the several lusts
thereof are more and more weakened and mortified;[4] and they more and more
quickened and strengthened in all saving graces,[5] to the practice of true
holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.[6]
II. This sanctification is
throughout, in the whole man;[7] yet imperfect in this life, there abiding
still some remnants of corruption in every part;[8] whence arises a continual
and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit
against the flesh.[9]
III. In which war, although the
remaining corruption, for a time, may much prevail;[10] yet, through the
continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the
regenerate part does overcome;[11] and so, the saints grow in grace,[12]
perfecting holiness in the fear of God.[13]
Dictionary
of Bible Themes
6745
sanctification, nature and basis of
The
process of renewal and consecration by which believers are made holy through
the work of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is the consequence of justification
and is dependent upon a person being in a right relationship with God.
Sanctification
is grounded in the holiness of God
God
is holy Eze 39:7 See also Lev 22:32; Jos 24:19; Ps 30:4; Hos 11:9; Isa 6:3; Rev
6:10
God
demands that his people should reflect his holiness Lev 19:2 See also Lev
11:44-45; Lev 20:7-8; Heb 2:11; 1Pe 1:15-16
Sanctification
is the will of God for his people 1Th 4:3 See also Eph 1:4; Eph 2:10; 2Th 2:13;
1Pe 1:1-2
The
basis for sanctification
God’s
election of his people 1Co 1:2; Eph 1:4-11; 1Th 5:9
The
atoning death of Jesus Christ Heb 13:12 See also Ro 6:11; Ro 7:4; Ro 8:2; 1Co
1:30; 1Co 6:11; Eph 5:25-27; Heb 10:10-14; 1Pe 2:5
The
grace of God Lk 1:69-75; Php 2:13; 2Ti 1:9; Heb 12:10
The
work of the Holy Spirit Ro 15:16; 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2
The
word of God Jn 17:17; Eph 5:25-26; 2Ti 3:16
The
need for sanctification
The
universal sinfulness of humanity Isa 64:6 See also Job 15:14-15; Ps 51:5; Ro
5:12-19; Eph 2:3
Enslavement
to evil can only be broken through the death of Jesus Christ Jn 8:34-36 See
also Ro 6:16-18; Ro 8:5-7; Eph 4:17-24
The
need for renewal and growth 2Pe 3:18 See also Ro 12:1-2; Col 1:10; 1Th 4:3-6;
Heb 6:1-3
The
nature of sanctification
A
process which has already been initiated 1Co 1:2; 1Co 6:11
A
process of growth in holiness Ro 12:1-3; 2Co 3:18; Eph 4:15; 1Th 4:3-7; Heb
12:14; 1Pe 2:1-3; 2Pe 3:18
Consecration
to God Ex 32:29; 1Ch 29:5; Pr 23:26; Ro 12:1
The
nature of sanctification
1.
A
process which has already been initiated
1
Corinthians 1:1-8New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
1
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our
brother Sosthenes,2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in
Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those
everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ – their Lord and ours:3
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving
4
I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5
For in him you have been enriched in every way – with all kinds of speech and
with all knowledge – 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among
you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our
Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He
will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of
our Lord Jesus Christ
2.
A
process of growth in holiness
Romans 12:1-8New
International Version - UK (NIVUK)
A living sacrifice
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in
view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and
pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this
world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able
to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect
will.
Humble service in the body of Christ
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of
you: do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of
yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed
to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many
members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one
body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to
the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in
accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is
teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if
it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to
show mercy, do it cheerfully.
1 Peter 2:1-3New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
2 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all
deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies,
crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3
now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
3. The need for renewal and growth
Colossians 1:9-14New International Version - UK
(NIVUK)
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about
you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you
with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that
the Spirit gives,[a] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and
please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the
knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his
glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving
joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the
inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued
us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he
loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Hebrews 6:1-6New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
6 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary
teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the
foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[a] and of faith in God,
2 instruction about cleansing rites,[b] the laying on of hands, the
resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will
do so.4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have
tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted
the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have
fallen[c] away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are
crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
Read more here:
Be Blessed Today
Yours for the sake of His Church and Kingdom
Blair Humphreys
Southport, Merseyside, England
