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1
Thessalonians Chapter Four
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Life and Knowledge that Christians Are
Supposed to Have
A. The motivations of Christians’ conversation
(v.1-2):
1. Please God (v.1);
2. Keep the commandments of the Lord (v.2);
B. Three principles of Christians’ conversation
(v.3-12):
1. Sanctification
(v.3-8);
2. Love one another (v.9-10);
3. Work with your own hands and walk properly toward those who are outside (v.11-12);
C. The basic knowledge that Christians shall
have about the future (v.13-18):
1. The dead in Christ will rise again
(v.13-14);
2. The second coming of the Lord and the
rapture of believers (v.15-18);
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
1Thess. 4:1 “Finally then
brethren
we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more
just
as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;”
YLT: “As to the rest
then
brethren
we request you
and call upon you in the Lord Jesus
as ye did
receive from us how it behoveth you to walk and to please God
that ye may
abound the more
”
Literal Meaning: “then”
it indicates
that Paul will put the matter of the Lord’s second coming mentioned in the
previous chapter (3:13) into practice.
“Finally then
brethren”
“brethren”
it shows
that Paul speaks on the equal status of brothers. “Finally”
this is a
conjunction of this book that shifts the topic. The previous three chapters
mention the various conditions of Paul and believers in Thessalonica. In the
last two chapters
Paul teaches believers in Thessalonica how to live in faith
love and hope in daily life and prepare oneself to meet the Lord’s second
coming.
“We
urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus”
“in
the Lord Jesus”
it means that he
does not exhort out of himself
but out of the Lord Jesus. And only the exhortations
in the Lord will change men. The two verbs “urge” and “exhort” show the humble
and earnest attitude of Paul.
“Just
as you received from us”
it reveals that
the following exhortations are according to his teachings in the past and add
something more.
“How
you ought to walk and to please God”
“walk” refers to one’s conversation in life. Here
it points that the
conversation of Christians is not for the purpose of satisfying oneself
but
pleasing God.
“That
you should abound more and more”
here
it suggests that the conversation of
believers in Thessalonica has already been according to the right principle
and yet is not perfect
which requires further improvement.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Success in works and boldness in faith do
not represent spiritual maturity. All those who wait for the Lord’s coming
again shall prepare themselves in both of these aspects.
2) The faith of Christians is bound up with
their daily life. If the truth has not been put into practice
it is vain words
without any value.
3) When someone exhorts others
he always
regards the other side inferior to him and thus exhorts them in a condescending
manner unconsciously. Therefore
he receives little effect.
4) If Christians have some exhortations and
teachings
they shall do in the Lord. And only in the Lord
the exhortations
will be effective.
5) When we exhort others
we shall humbly
realize that we are unworthy and we are enabled to speak only in the Lord.
6) Exhortations and urging are proper to be
used concomitantly. A gentle tongue breaks a bone (Pro. 25:15). Let our word
always be with grace
seasoned with salt (
7) The whole of Christians’ life is for the
purpose of pleasing God. Therefore
we shall know the will of God and know what
pleases God.
8) If life does not grow
it will be withered.
Either one goes forward in spiritual race or he will be left behind. Christians
should not be indulged in the satisfaction of the present condition
but shall
“abound more
and more”.
9) No matter what degree we Christians have
attained to
we shall know that I have not already attained
or am already
perfected; but I press on
that I may lay hold of that for which Christi Jesus
has also laid hold of me (Phil. 3:12-14).
1Thess. 4:2 “for you know what
commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.”
YLT: “for ye have known
what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus
”
Literal Meaning: “for”
it shows that
“pleasing God” (v.1) is the commandment of the Lord Jesus.
“You
know”
here Paul reminds them again the
teachings that he has given to them in the past. Such words have appeared in
this epistle again and again (see 1:5; 2:1
2
5
11; 3:3
4; 4:1
2
6
9;
5:1).
“We
gave you through the Lord Jesus”
it indicates that
Paul’s teachings are based on the authority of the Lord Jesus.
“What
commandments”
“commandment” is a military term
which refers to the
commandment given by the higher officials that should be kept (see Acts 16:24).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) If necessary
preachers should repeatedly
declare the similar messages until they have been deeply inserted into
believers’ heart. Therefore
the words will impress believers and influence
their conversation.
2) Many believers hear the word for the sake of
hearing only and like to hear various flesh words. Therefore
they appear to be
impatient to the words they have heard. Such attitude of hearing hinders them
from receiving benefit from the messages.
3) If we desire to keep the word with a pure
and honest mind and do not hear the sermons for appreciation
we will find that
we really need preachers to remind us the similar messages repeatedly so that
we will clearly understand the words and put them into practice.
4) All the teachings should be preached to
others in the Lord. Anyone shall never act on his responsibility or regard his
will as that of the Lord.
5) Paul says
“for I will not dare to speak of
any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me” (Rom. 15:18).
6) The responsibilities of Christians are being
chosen and good soldiers of Christ and obedience of His “commandments”.
7) If Christians receive the words in the
Scriptures with the mind of absolute obedience to the Lord’s commandments
they
will receive new visions
for the will of God is open to those who truly desire
to keep (see John 7:17).
1Thess. 4:3 “For this is the will of
God
your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;”
YLT: “for this is the
will of God -- your sanctification; that ye abstain from the whoredom
”
The Background:
at that time
the moral concept concerning
sex was rather low
holding that chastity was a kind of improper bondage and so
sexuality outside of marriage was commonly acceptable
especially in
Literal Meaning: “for”
it shows that
verse three is parallel to verse two ---- both “the will of God” and “the
Lord’s commandments relate to “pleasing God”.
“This
is the will of God
your sanctification”
“the will of God” refers to the will that God
pleases (see v.1). The will of God is divided into two sorts: one is the
individual guidance
e.g. where to go and what to do (see James 4:13-15; Acts
13:22); the other is the general will to all believers
e.g. He wills us to do
good (1Pet. 2:15). Here
the will of God is the latter one
namely
the will to
all believers.
“Sanctification”
it relates to the separation from the
world in the original. Here it especially refers to the sanctification from the filthy and corrupt customs of the
pagans.
The will of God is that He desires that those whom
He has redeemed lead a sanctified life according to his divine nature (see 2Pet.
1:4) and are separated from all things outside of God in order to be unto God.
For this sake
God grants us the Holy Spirit (see v.8) to help us and sanctifies us completely (see 5:23).
“That
you should abstain from sexual immorality”
“sexual immorality”
it refers to any form of sexual union outside of
lawful marriage. Believers should utterly abstain from any sexual immorality
including sexual immorality
before marriage
sexual immorality outside of marriage
and homosexuality etc.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) God has chosen us to be the people of God’s
kingdom for the purpose of making us understand and keep the will of God so
that the will of God will be done upon the earth as in heaven (Matt. 6:10).
Therefore
believers shall put the will of God at the first place.
2) When we Christians live on the earth
we
shall learn the example of David to keep the will of God in everything (Acts
13:22. 36). Thus
we will live a valuable life (1John 2:17).
3) May God make us complete in every good work
to do His will
working in you what in well pleasing in His sight
through
Jesus Christ (Heb. 13:21).
4) Though Christians have been justified
positionally (1Cor. 6:11)
they shall have sanctified testimony in practical
life.
5) God created men according to His image (Gen.
1:26-27) so that men shall manifest Him (see
6) Concerning all things that may defile us
we
need never seek whether they are in accordance with the will of God
for they
are always against the will of God.
7) The will of God is our sanctification.
Sanctification is opposite to sexual immorality. Nothing destroys believers
more than fornication (see 1Cor. 16:18). Therefore
we shall thoroughly abstain
from fornication.
8) Fornication is the cause of every evil. No
temptation is more serious and common than other temptation of sins. Believers
should be more cautious (see 1Cor. 5:1). The secret of overcoming sins is
turning aside from and keeping off temptations.
9) We shall flee from lusts
and pursue
righteousness
faith
love
peace
with those that call upon the Lord out of a
pure heart (2Tim. 2:22).
1Thess. 4:4 “that each of you should
know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor
”
YLT: “that each of you
know his own vessel to possess in sanctification and honour
”
Meaning of Words: “possess”: obtain
provide
purchase
get
acquire;
Literal Meaning: “how to possess his own
vessel in sanctification and honor”
“in
sanctification and honor”
“sanctification” emphasizes the condition before God;
“honor” emphasizes the status before men; if believers have committed sexual
immorality in body
they have become unclean before God and humble before men.
“Vessel”
the body of each believer is the vessel of the
treasure (2Cor. 4:7). If anyone cleanses himself from dishonor
he will be a
vessel for honor and useful for the Master (2Tim. 2:21).
Controversial Clarification: “possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor”
some Bible exegetes interpret that this
verse indicates each brother shall keep the chastity of his own wife or keep
his faithfulness to his wife according to the
First Book of Peter
in which “vessel” is interpreted as “wife” (1Pet.
3:7). Such explanation obviously regards the husband as the vessel of the
husband
but Peter means that both husband and wife are vessels jointly
inheriting the grace of life and the wife is a weaker vessel. Therefore
we
should not agree with such explanation.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Each believer should honor and possess his
body so as to make it used by God.
2) Any sexual immorality dishonors others as
well as one’s own body.
3) The bodies of believers are the members of
Christ and are the
4) We shall not passively flee (v.3) and resist
the lusts concerning our bodies
but actively grasp and control and dominate
our bodies so as to possess them in sanctification and honor.
5) The best way for believer to use their
bodies is to present our bodies as a living sacrifice
holy
acceptable to God
(
1Thess. 4:5 “not in passion of lust
like the Gentiles who do not know God;”
YLT: “not in the
affection of desire
as also the nations that were not knowing God
”
Meaning of Words: “passion”:
inordinate affection
suffering; “lust”: longing (especially for what is
forbidden; concupiscence
desire
lusts);
Literal Meaning: “not in passion of lust”
“passion” in the original contains a kind of
active and fierce desire. When God created men
He had given various normal
desires and instincts in men’s bodies
e.g. appetite makes men enjoy eating and
thus grow up
sexuality makes male and female attract one anther and multiply
through marriage
etc. However these desires and instincts are used by sin
because of the fall of men and have become shameful lusts
inciting men to do unreasonable
things reversely (see
“Like
the Gentiles who do not know God”
“the Gentiles” refer to those who do not believer the
Lord Jesus (see 1Cor. 10:20; Eph. 4:17; 1Pet. 4:3; John 7);
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Each believer is the master of his own body
so he is supposed to manage his own body and not walk according to the passion
of lust in body.
2) All the lusts in one’s body should be
controlled and governed so that he is enabled to have normal and proper
conversation. The normal Christians surpass the lust of body without any
control of the physical lust.
3) The ignorance of God is the basic reason for
the passion of lust.
4) The custom of the world is seriously
corrupted. When we believers live in such an evil and deprived society
we
shall never swim with the tide
but shall manifest the different character and
testimony from the world.
5) Christians should be separated from men in
the world in conversation
for they do not know God (see Jer. 10:25; Ps. 79:6)
and yet we know God.
6) The more we Christians know God
the more
will we know how to conduct ourselves in the house of God and the more will we
manifest the God in the flesh (1Tim. 4:15-16).
7) We Chinese who have believed the Lord are no
longer “Gentiles”
but fellow-citizens of the saints
and of the household of
God
(Eph. 2:19); (1Thess. 1:5; Rev. 1:6).
1Thess. 4:6 “that no one should take
advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter
because the Lord is the
avenger of all such
as we also forewarned you and testified.”
YLT: “that no one go
beyond and defraud in the matter his brother
because an avenger [is] the Lord
of all these
as also we spake before to you and testified
”
Meaning of Words: “take advantage of”: be covetous
get an advantage
make a
gain; “defraud”: transcend
overreach;
Literal Meaning: “that no one should take advantage of…in this matter”
“this matter”
refers to the sexual immorality (see
v.3); “take advantage of” refers to transgressions;
“And
defraud his brother”
sexual immorality does not only sin against God but
also against men
for it harms not only the persons involved but also their
spouses or the fiance or the fiancée (including that of his own and that of the
other party). If the object of sexual immorality is believer or believers’
spouse (including the betrothed pair)
it is just defrauding brother.
“Defraud”
it refers being covetous to make a gain; “brother”
it is a general
appellation
including sisters.
“Because
the Lord is the avenger of all such”
“all such”
it refers to the matter of take
advantage of and defraud brothers; “avenger”
it means that the Lord will
surely judge those who have committed sexual immorality and chasten them. The
fear of the Lord’s vengeance is another motive of our sanctification.
Sometime
the Lord’s vengeance comes upon men when
they are alive
e.g. God’s judgment upon David after he has committed
fornication (2Sam. 12:11-14; or many people have got venereal disease or AIDS
or they have divorced and ruined upon themselves. Sometimes
it is executed
after man is dead. However
no matter when one is living or is dead
men should
give an account before the judgment-seat of the Lord eventually (
“As
we also forewarned you and testified”
“forewarned”
it means warning again and again;
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) If men keep a slothful attitude toward
sexual relationship (see v.5)
they may easily overstep the orders and thus sin
against God and harm others.
2) Today
men in the world hold that it is not
sin of the sexual relationship between those who love each other
disregarding
the supposed right of the spouses of them. This is overreaching man himself in
the eyes of the righteous God and He will reward.
3) We shall never take advantage of brothers in
the church in words
deeds
or attitudes. The Lord is the avenger of not only fornication but also all things
that harm brothers (see Matt. 18:6
10; 24:48-51).
4) Someone have a wrong concept
thinking that
preachers should speak more positive words in the church
but avoid negative
words. However
Paul is not so. He always repeats the words of warning and
exhortations.
1Thess. 4:7 “For God did not call us
to uncleanness
but in holiness.”
YLT: “for God did not
call us on uncleanness
but in sanctification;”
Literal Meaning: “for”
it shows
another reason why we believers should “avoid sexual immorality” (v.3).
“God
did not call us to uncleanness”
“uncleanness”
it indicates the
result of sexual immorality ---- sin against one’s own body (1Cor. 6:18) so as
to cause his body unclean;
“But
in holiness”
“holiness” and “uncleanness” are a pair of opposite words. Believers should be
holy in all conversations
for the One who calls us is holy (1Pet. 1:15-16).
The purpose of God’s calling to men is departure
from uncleanness and becoming holiness. This is another reason why believers
should be kept physically virgin.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) God’s salvation is never a kind of guarantee
that makes men sin at ease. Therefore
we shall not defile uncleanness with boldness
because of the forgiveness of God’s salvation.
2) In one sense
believers are those whom God
has sanctified unto Himself
so they are “saints”. In another sense
they
should manifest such sanctified status in their daily life.
1Thess. 4:8 “Therefore he who rejects
this does not reject man
but God
who has also given us His Holy Spirit.”
YLT: “he
therefore
who
is despising -- doth not despise man
but God
who also did give His Holy
Spirit to us.”
Literal Meaning: “therefore he who rejects
this does not reject man”
“reject”
it means rejecting the commandment of our
becoming holiness.
“But
God
who has also given us His Holy Spirit”
here
it has two aspects of meaning: 1) the main
purpose of God’s giving Spirit to us is sanctifying us; 2) the chief work of
the Holy Spirit is making us sanctified.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) We shall not flippantly criticize or reject
any fellow worker or brother
lest what he has said or done should be entrusted
by God. Thus we have not criticized or rejected men
but God.
2) He who lives in the immoral sins has just
rejected God
especially the Holy Spirit.
3) Obedience of the Spirit is the secret of
living a life in holiness (
1Thess. 4:9 “But concerning brotherly
love you have no need that I should write to you
for you yourselves are taught
by God to love one another;”
YLT: “And concerning the
brotherly love
ye have no need of [my] writing to you
for ye yourselves are
God-taught to love one another
”
Literal Meaning: “but concerning brotherly
love”
“brotherly love” in the original is only a word
namely
“
“You
have no need that I should write to you
for
you yourselves are taught by God”
it has two aspects of meaning: 1) believers have the
guidance of God’s Spirit and the feeling of God’s life
which make us naturally
love one another without men’s teaching externally (see Heb. 8:10-11); 2) when
Paul was with them previously
he had taught them concerning brotherly love
so
he needed not to teach again.
“To
love one another”
“love” in the
original is the divine and noble love (agape).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The life in holiness (see v.1-8) should be
with love (v.9-10)
for only love fulfills the law (Rom. 13:10).
2) The individual holy life is closely linked
with the corporate life in love. Any unholy conversation in life is of selfish
and harmful character and goes against the principle of love. On the contrary
if we do not love one another
we will not be able to have personal holy life.
3) All those who have been truly saved will be
enabled to receive direct teaching from God (see Is. 54:13; John 6:45; 1Cor.
2:13).
1Thess. 4:10 “and indeed you do so
toward all the brethren who are in all
YLT: “for ye do it also
to all the brethren who [are] in all
Literal Meaning: “and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who
are in all
“But
we urge you
brethren
that you increase more and more”
it indicates that the work of love should be
abundant exceedingly and endlessly (see 3:12; 2Pet. 1:7).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) No matter to what degree the faith and love
of believers have progressed
they should still be furthered more.
2) Love never fails (1Cor. 13:8)
so the
increase of love should also never fail. The love of believer shall increase
unceasingly
no matter in the purity of quality or in the width of quantity.
3) Love can be much used or widely used
but
should not be abused or against the truth. Today
the church just needs the
“increasing” of love more and more.
1Thess. 4:11 “that you also aspire to
lead a quiet life
to mind your own business
and to work with your own hands
as we commanded you
”
YLT: “and to study to be
quiet
and to do your own business
and to work with your own hands
as we did
command you
”
Meaning of Words: “aspire”: be fond of
honor
emulous
eager
strive;
The
Background: at that time
some
Greek men despised the works of labor
thinking that only the humble salves
were suitable to do such works. It was also possible that some believers in
Thessalonians misunderstood the teaching of the Lord’s second coming ---- since
the Lord’s second coming was so near
they had to put aside their works to wait
for the Lord’s coming with whole heart.
Literal
Meaning: “to lead a quiet life”: to lead a calm and restful life
not
stick one’s nose into the business of others (see 2Thess. 3:11-12)
nor become
the burden of others (see 2:9; 2Thess. 3:8).
“To
mind your own business
and to work with your own hands”
it indicates that some believers in
Thessalonica did not deign to work because of wrong ideas and had to keep their
life by others.
“As
we commanded you”
it shows that
Paul taught believers in truth as well as exhorted them practically when he
preached there.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Those who loaf about with nothing to do may
easily get interested in affairs of others
impressing others with
intermeddling.
2) Christians should have an aspiration of
leading a quiet life on earth without any noise and working and living for the
Lord purely without stirring up any trouble.
3) If a believer does not work with his own
hands but counts on the loving almsgiving of others
it just misunderstands and
misuses the love of believers. If we do not correct such condition
we have
spoiled him and will even destroy him.
4) Leading a life in love (v.9-10) is not
counting on others
but that one shall labor himself and provide others in love.
5) Believers’ life of loving one another is not
creating opportunities to let others love us
but discovering chances to love
others. It is not being idle about all the day under the pretext of letting
others love
but working with one’s own hands for the sake of loving others.
1Thess. 4:12 “that you may walk
properly toward those who are outside
and that you may lack nothing.”
YLT: “that ye may walk
becomingly unto those without
and may have lack of nothing.”
Meaning of Words: “properly”: decorously
decently
honestly;
Literal Meaning: “that you may walk properly toward those who are
outside”
“that”
it means result of “working with one’s own
hands” (v.11); “those
who are outside” refer to
unbelievers; “walk properly”: walk honestly and decorously;
“And
that you may lack nothing”
you need not the
provision of others;
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Unbelievers despise the Christians who are
spiritual in their own eyes and able to teach other with tongues only and yet
unable to work with hands.
2) Believers on the earth shall at least attain
to the admitted standard of the society and receive respect of those who are
outside of the church.
3) Many Christians have no testimony before the
world
for they work in a perfunctory fashion or they are even unwilling to
work
thus humiliating the Lord’s name.
4) If believers do not work with their own
hands and rely on the provision of others
they will become parasites of the
society. Therefore
men shall despise them and their faith.
5) Christians who lack because of having not
worked well must be Christians who do not love or obey the Lord.
1Thess. 4:13 “But I do not want you to
be ignorant
brethren
concerning those who have fallen asleep
lest you sorrow
as others who have no hope.”
YLT: “And I do not wish
you to be ignorant
brethren
concerning those who have fallen asleep
that ye
may not sorrow
as also the rest who have not hope
”
The
Background: believers in
Thessalonica received the teaching of Paul to wait with patience for the Lord’s
coming from the heaven (see 1:3
10). However
when Paul left them
they might
have wrong understand of the Lord’s second coming or misled by others and have
wrong concepts as follows: 1) it was best to do nothing (see v.11) and wait for
the Lord with whole heart; 2) they thought the Lord would come again when they
were alive
so many believers desired to meet the Lord when they are alive; 3)
there was no resurrection after death (see 1Cor. 15:12). Once man had died
everything ended.
Literal Meaning: “concerning those who have fallen asleep”
“have fallen asleep” refer to believers who are dead;
Christians will rise after death (1Cor. 15:22) as those who have fallen asleep
will awake again.
“But
I do not want you to be ignorant
brethren”
this is a tone that Paul often use (
“Lest
you sorrow”
it does not mean that believers should not have sorrowful feeling
when their family members pass away
but that believers shall not be as those
men in the world
who consider that they are separated because death and will
never see again and all hope are shattered because of death and are sorrowful exceedingly.
“As
others who have no hope”
“others who have no hope”: unbelievers who do not believe the Lord.
At that time
the Greek pagans deeply feared death
thinking that all hopes of
life end when death comes.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Even a normal man likes to share goodness
with those whom he loves
let alone Christians ---- how shall not they be more
willing to share what they have received from God with one another?!
2) To the death of the death of family members
on one hand
Christians will feel reluctant to part in emotion. However
on the
other hand
they have an assurance in the depth of spirit ---- they will surely
meet in the heaven and share the eternal blessing together.
3) In the sight of Christians
death is joy and
victory (see 1Cor. 15:57).
1Thess. 4:14 “For if we believe that
Jesus died and rose again
even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in
Jesus.”
YLT: “for if we believe
that Jesus died and rose again
so also God those asleep through Jesus he will
bring with him
”
Literal Meaning: “for if we believe that Jesus
died and rose again”
the resurrection of Christ from the dead is one of
the reasons why we believers shall rise (see 1Cor. 15:12-16). Since we believe
that He died and rose again
we shall die and rise in like manner. Note that
here Paul does not use the word “die” instead of “sleep” in order to emphasize
a fact on purpose ---- since the Lord Jesus had sufficiently borne the dread
and penalty of death
those who believe the Lord will no longer fear death (see
Heb. 2:14-15).
“Those who sleep in Jesus”: those who are dead in Christ (see v.16);
“Even
so God will bring with Him”
“bring with Him”
it shows that those who have been dead
shall rise firstly (see v.16) and then meet and be with the Lord.
Controversial Clarification: “those who sleep in Jesus”
some Bible exegetes think it is “those who have
fallen asleep by the Lord”
so here “those who sleep in Jesus” shall be explained as “those who are martyred
for the Lord”. Therefore
only those who are martyred for the Lord are
qualified to be brought by the Lord. In fact
such explanation is too forced
for it is only according to the preposition and yet ignores the context.
Moreover
all believers come to the Father “by Jesus” (John 14:6)
so it is
still proper to explain as “all the believers who have been dead”.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The faith of Christians is living faith and
is the faith by which we can apply the principle we believe into our practical
life.
2) Not only is the Lord Jesus Christ with us today
and brings us to walk in the way of life
but also he will be with us in the
future and bring us into glory (Heb. 2:10).
1Thess. 4:15 “For this we say to you by
the word of the Lord
that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the
Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.”
YLT: “for this to you we
say in the word of the Lord
that we who are living -- who do remain over to
the presence of the Lord -- may not precede those asleep
”
Meaning of Words: “coming”: a being near
advent
presence;
Literal Meaning: “for this we say to you by
the word of the Lord”
“by
the word of the Lord”
what Paul will say has not been mentioned in the Four Books of the Gospel: 1) the
Lord directly says to Paul and reveals him (Gal. 1:12); 2) when the Lord on the
earth
He had mentioned this
which was then orally passed down by the
disciples whom heard it.
“That
we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord”
it refers to believers who are alive when
the Lord comes again. Note that here it mentions not only “alive” but also
“remain” (see v.17). Indeed a man “remains” while alive on the earth
so there
is no need to mention “remain”. However
the wording of the Scriptures often
has deep and specific meaning. “Remain”
according to the original
it can also
be translated as “leaving all around”
which indicates that these believers who
are alive and remain are left by the Lord
so they are supposed to be the
believers who have not been “taken away” by the Lord and yet are “left” before
the Great Tribulation (see Matt. 24:39-41).
“We”
it is the identification of the writer with
the receiver
which does not mean Paul believes he will be alive until the Lord
comes
for he also mentions in other epistles that God will raise “us” up from
the dead (see 1Cor. 6:14; 2Cor. 4:14).
“Will
by no means precede those who are asleep”
it points out the order of believers’ rapture
when the Lord comes again and settles a kind of possible doubt among believers
in Thessalonica at that time ---- they were afraid that believers who had
passed away before the Lord’s coming again might lose the blessing of being
caught to meet the Lord.
According to these scriptures (v.15-17)
the order
of the Lord’s being caught when the Lord comes again is as follows: 1) the
second coming of Christ; 2) believers who have been dead rise; 3) believers who
are alive are transfigured (1Cor. 15:52) and the risen believers will be caught
together with
them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
1Thess. 4:16 “For the Lord Himself will
descend from heaven with a shout
with the voice of an archangel
and with the
trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”
YLT: “because the Lord
himself
in a shout
in the voice of a chief-messenger
and in the trump of
God
shall come down from heaven
and the dead in Christ shall rise first
”
Literal Meaning: “for the Lord Himself will
descend from heaven”
it fulfills the
words the Lord said before his ascension. “He shall thus come in the manner in
which you have beheld him going into heaven” (Acts 1:11);
“With
a shout
with the voice of an archangel”
when the Lord comes
there are three kinds
of different voices
reminding men to note that some earth-shaking things shall
happen. “With
a shout”
it is a kind of commanding shout
just like the
rallying shout; “with
the voice of an archangel”
possibly
it may be the voice that the angels out
of the temple in the heaven shout to the Son of man who sits above the clouds
(see Rev. 14:14-16). “And with the trumpet of God”
this is the last trumpet
(1Cor. 15:52). Possibly it is for the purpose of assembling those whom God has
redeemed (see Num. 10:2).
Since here it describes the conditions when the
Lord comes ---- there are three kinds of attractive voices
it must raise the
attention of the whole world. There will be “the trumpet of God”
so it refers
to the Lord’s second coming in the second public phase (see Matt. 24:27-31)
not the first hidden phase (see Matt. 24:36-44). The first phase may happen
before the Great Tribulation
and the second phase during the Great
Tribulation.
“And
the dead in Christ will rise first”
it indicates that Christians who have been dead before death will rise after
hearing the voices.
1Thess. 4:17 “Then we who are alive and
remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in
the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
YLT: “then we who are
living
who are remaining over
together with them shall be caught away in
clouds to meet the Lord in air
and so always with the Lord we shall be;”
Meaning of Words: “be caught up”: seize
pluck
take (by force)
pull;
“meet”: encounter;
Literal Meaning: “then we who are alive and
remain”: believers who are
alive and remain on the earth (see v.15);
“Shall
be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air”
“them”: the risen believers (see v.16);
those who overcome will be caught to the throne of God in the third heaven
(Rev. 12:5-6
14) when the Lord comes privately before the Tribulation of the
three years and a half at the end of the generation. And the most of believers
will be left (Matt. 24:39-41) until the Lord’s open coming at the end of the
Tribulation
and will be caught together with the risen believers in the clouds
in the air.
“And
thus we shall always be with the Lord”
this is a general word. From being caught to meet the Lord to being with the
Lord forever
there are still many details therein.
Controversial Clarification:
“shall be caught up together with them in the clouds”
this is one of the scriptures that refer
to the “rapture”
which is seldom clearly mentioned in the New Testament. And
the rapture here is accompanied with three big voices (see v.16). Therefore
traditional Bible exegetes think the rapture is not secret
but open and obvious.
And they even regard believer’ being caught up as all believers’ “being caught
up together”
that is to say
the whole church shall be caught up together at
the same time. And those who believe the church will be caught up at the same
time are divided into three schools
namely
Pre-tribulation Rapture
Mid-tribulation Rapture
and Post-tribulation Rapture. Each school is supported
by some renowned spiritual giants. However
such three kinds of interpretation
have flaws and contradictions with many scriptures. Gradually
many Bible
exegetes believe “Partial Rapture”
e.g. James Hudson Taylor
Austin Spark and
Watchman Nee etc. The complier of this book also agrees with such
interpretation for reasons as below: 1) when the Lord Jesus prophesies the coming
of the Son of man
He has clearly mentioned that “one is taken and one is left”
(Matt. 24:39-41). He that is taken is the one who overcomes (see Rev. 3:10)
and he that is left is the common believer. And the Lord describes his coming
comes as the coming of a “thief” (Matt. 24:43)
so it may refer to his secret
coming in the air before the Tribulation; 2) this paragraph mentions “those who are alive and remain” (v.15
17)
suggesting that those who are
caught up are alive then and yet were “left” previously
namely
believers who
are left
so here it may refer to the open taking of the rest of the believers
after the Tribulation; 3) in the Book of
Revelation
it reveals those who overcome in different phases (Rev. 14:1-5;
15:2-3) and those who are caught up in different groups (Rev. 12:5; 14:15-16;
16:15). Therefore
there will be still believers who overcome and are caught up
during the Tribulation.
“And
thus we shall always be with the Lord”
many Christians misuse this verse
thinking that the differences between
“victory and failure” exist only when believers are alive. Once believers have
dead or have been raised to meet the Lord
there will be of no difference
and
all believers “shall” be with the Lord immediately. Therefore
“there is no
judgment for Christians after death”. This is misunderstanding of the
Scriptures. The conversations and works of Christians after being saved shall
still be judged by the Lord (see Matt. 5:22; 7:21; 24:51; 25:19; 1Cor. 3:13;
2Cor. 5:10; 1Pet. 4:17 etc.).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) To be with the Lord is the main hope of
believers (see 1Thess. 5:10; John 14:3; 2Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; Col. 3:4).
2)
Death is only a
gateway for Christians to eternity (someone even needs not to go through
death). Our union with Christ is built by faith
which can not be conquered by
death.
1Thess. 4:18 “Therefore comfort one
another with these words.”
YLT: “so
then
comfort
ye one another in these words.”
Literal Meaning: “therefore”
this verse is the conclusion of the words
from verse 13 to 17.
“Comfort one another with these words”
“these words” refer to the teaching from
verse thirteen to seventeen. If someone in the church passes away
such words
would be profitable to mutual comfort and encouragement.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Christians need not be sorrowful (v.13)
for
the words of God are the best comfort
which are far effective than men’s own
words of comfort.
2) Believers shall often comfort one another by
the words of the Lord’s coming again
for this is what the present church is
waiting for.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
Exhortations in Love
A. The attitudes of exhortation (v.1-2):
1. Stand in the position of brothers ----
“brethren” (v
2. Be humble ---- “urge in
the Lord Jesus” (v.1b);
3. Be genuine ---- “urge and exhort” (v.1b);
4. Expect earnestly ---- “you should … more and
more … just as you…” (v
5. Remind ---- “you know” (v.2);
B. The contents of exhortation (v.3-12):
1. Sanctification
(v.3-8);
a.Sanctification
is the will of God (v.3);
b.Possess one’s own vessel in sanctification
and honor (v.4);
c. Not in passion of lust
like the
Gentiles (v.5);
d.Not take advantage of or
defraud his brother (v.6);
e.God called us in holiness (v.7);
f. He who rejects has rejected God who
has also given us His Holy Spirit
(v.8);
2. Love one another
(v.9-10);
3. Aspire to lead a quiet life (v.11-12);
Reasons Why Christians Should Be Sanctified
A. For sanctification pleases God (v.1);
B. For sanctification is the commandment of the
Lord Jesus (v.2);
C. For the will of God is our sanctification
(v.3);
D. For sanctification makes us separated from
the Gentiles (v.4-5);
E. For sanctification makes us not take
advantage or defraud brothers (v
F. For sanctification delivers us from the
vengeance of the Lord (v.6b);
G. For sanctification is the purpose of God’s
calling upon us (v.7);
H. For sanctification makes us not reject God
who has given us His Spirit (v.8);
The Relation of the Works of the Divine
Trinity with Believer’s Sanctification
A. God the Father:
1. Sanctification is His will that pleases Him
(v.1
3);
2. He reveals His holy disposition to believers
(v.5);
3. He calls believers in holiness (v.7);
4. He has given the Holy Spirit to sanctify us
(v.8);
B. The Lord Jesus:
1. He commands and exhorts believers to be
sanctified (v.1-2);
2. He shall reward the disobedient believers
(v.6);
C. The Holy Spirit ---- help each believers to
be sanctified (v.8);
The Procedures that God Makes Believers
Sanctified
A. The first step ---- God has firstly had the
will of our sanctification (v.3);
B. The second step ---- God then calls us in
holiness (v.7);
C. The third step ---- God has given us the
Holy Spirit to sanctify us (v.8);
The Lord’s Coming again and Believers’ Being
Caught up
A. The Lord’s coming again is the hope of
believers who have been dead (v.13-15):
1. They need not mourn for the dead believers
or lose hope (v.13);
2. Believers who have been dead shall rise
(v.14-15):
a.
The first proof:
Jesus dies and rose again;
b.
The second proof:
God will bring believers who have dead with the Lord together;
c.
The third proof: the
words of the Lord;
B. The conditions of the Lord’s coming again
and the order of believers’ being caught up (v.16-17):
1. There will be three voices when the Lord
comes again (v
2. The orders of believers’ being caught up
(v.16b-17):
a. Those who have dead in Christ shall rise
firstly;
b. We who are alive and remain will also be caught up with them;
c.In the clouds to meet the Lord in the air;
d. We shall always be with the Lord.
C. The words concerning the Lord’s coming again
and believers’ being caught up shall be used to comfort one another (v.18);
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou