1 Thessalonians Chapter 4 shifts focus toward practical instructions for holy living, as Paul urges the Thessalonians to continue growing in the way of life that pleases God. He reminds them of the instructions he previously gave through the authority of the Lord Jesus, calling them to abstain from sexual immorality and to live in holiness and honor, controlling their own bodies rather than giving in to passionate lust like those who do not know God. Paul warns that God will bring justice against those who wrong others through such behavior, emphasizing that believers are called to a life of purity, not impurity.
Paul then encourages the Thessalonians to continue loving one another, noting that they have been taught by God to do so and that their love is already evident toward the wider community of believers. He urges them to live quietly, minding their own business, and to work with their hands, so that they may be respected by outsiders and be self-sufficient. The latter part of the chapter addresses questions about those who have died, comforting the Thessalonians with the assurance that believers who have passed away will not be forgotten. Paul explains that when the Lord returns, He will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Christ, and that both the living and the dead in Christ will be gathered together to be with the Lord forever. He closes by encouraging the Thessalonians to comfort one another with this hope.
Chapter 4 (BBE)
1 And last of all, the prayer which we make to you from our heart and in the name of the Lord Jesus, is this: that as we made clear to you what sort of behaviour is pleasing to God, as in fact you are doing now, so you will go on in these ways, but more and more.
2 Because you have in mind the orders we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For the purpose of God for you is this: that you may be holy, and may keep yourselves from the desires of the flesh;
4 So that every one of you may keep his body holy and in honour;
5 Not in the passion of evil desires, like the Gentiles, who have no knowledge of God;
6 And that no man may make attempts to get the better of his brother in business: for the Lord is the judge in all these things, as we said to you before and gave witness.
7 Because it is God’s purpose that our way of life may be not unclean but holy.
8 Whoever, then, goes against this word, goes against not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
9 But about loving the brothers, there is no need for me to say anything to you in this letter: for you have the teaching of God that love for one another is right and necessary;
10 And, truly, you are lovers of all the brothers in Macedonia; but it is our desire that your love may be increased still more;
11 And that you may take pride in being quiet and doing your business, working with your hands as we gave you orders;
12 That you may be respected by those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.
13 But it is our desire, brothers, that you may be certain about those who are sleeping; so that you may have no need for sorrow, as others have who are without hope.
14 For if we have faith that Jesus underwent death and came back again, even so those who are sleeping will come again with him by God’s power.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are still living at the coming of the Lord, will not go before those who are sleeping.
16 Because the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a word of authority, with the voice of the chief angel, with the sound of a horn: and the dead in Christ will come to life first;
17 Then we who are still living will be taken up together with them into the clouds to see the Lord in the air: and so will we be for ever with the Lord.
18 So then, give comfort to one another with these words.
Important Verses
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 Paul calls believers to live in holiness and honor, controlling their own bodies rather than giving in to sinful desires.
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 Paul commends the Thessalonians for their love toward fellow believers, encouraging them to continue growing in this love.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 Paul urges believers to live quietly, work diligently, and be self-sufficient so they may be respected by others.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 Paul describes the return of the Lord, when believers who have died will rise, and both the living and the dead in Christ will be gathered to be with Him forever.
1 Thessalonians 4:18 Paul encourages believers to comfort one another with the hope of Christ’s return and the reunion with loved ones who have died.
